Rodney Falls Washington

Hardy Falls and Rodney Falls Washington

Rodney Water Falls is a pretty two-tiered cascade along Hardy Creek on the southern end of Hamilton Mountain.  A side trail leads up the Pool of the Winds at the top of the falls, which can soak you with wind and spray in a minute if the creek is high.  The trail starts behind Beacon Rock on the Washington side of the Columbia River and rises through woods and a power line cut affording a view of the Columbia River Gorge. 

This hike takes you up a steep but beautifully forested climb to three tiers of waterfalls. Start at the Hamilton Mountain Trail head and climb up to Hardy Creek. You'll come to a side trail leading downhill to a viewpoint of the lowest tier, known as Hardy Falls.

This is a 90 foot plunge straight into a beautiful green pool. Next, after a short distance past the Hardy Falls spur, you'll see a signed spur heading up to the left, leading to Rodney Falls or Pool of the Winds. At Pool of the Winds, Hardy Creek is channeled into a funnel-like chamber in the cliff face. From the Pool of the Winds junction, the main trail switchbacks down to a bridge over Hardy Creek, just at the base of the middle falls of Rodney Falls.

·         Start point: Hamilton Mountain Trail-head

·         End point: Rodney Falls

·         Distance: 2.2 miles

·         High point: 1,035 feet

·         Elevation gain: 700 feet

·         Difficulty: Moderate

Pool of the Winds hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The hike starts from the Hamilton Mountain Trail head. The wide, well-groomed trail starts through a forested area and after about 2/10 of a mile comes to a power line clearing. The clearing provides beautiful views of Bonneville Dam and Hamilton Mountain.

After about a mile from the trail head, the trail comes to Hardy Creek. There are three named waterfalls here, even though they could all be considered part of the same waterfall. First, you'll come to a side trail leading downhill to a viewpoint of the lowest tier, known as Hardy Falls. This is a 90 foot plunge straight into a beautiful green pool. There's a wood-railed viewpoint at the top of cliffs, making the view safe.

Back on the main trail, a short distance past the Hardy Falls Spur is a signed spur heading up to the left, leading to Pool of the Winds. At Pool of the Winds, Hardy Creek is channeled into a funnel-like chamber in the cliff face. The water rushes straight down the slot in the wall, around a log that's fallen directly into the shaft. The water has created a deep pool that circulates constantly, creating odd wind currents. The entire scene is viewed through a slot in the rock only about 10 feet wide. When the sun is just right, a rainbow is formed in the spray inside the chamber.

From the Pool of the Winds junction, the main trail switchbacks down to a bridge over Hardy Creek at the base of the Rodney Falls, the middle waterfall here. Rodney water Falls is made up of a number of channels that weave their way across the rock face. It changes greatly with changes in water flow. The dogleg bridge over Hardy Creek is the end of this hike, but the trail continues up to the summit of Hamilton Mountain.

Hamilton Mountain Trail head in Beacon Rock State Park:  Cross Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks (Toll Road). Turn left/west onto WA Hwy 14 and travel seven miles. Watch for Beacon Rock - it will tower in front of you as you approach the state park which is near mile marker 35. Turn right into the campground and follow it uphill a short way. Take your first right into the small trail head parking lot. 

From Vancouver, travel east on WA Hwy 14 for 35 miles. As you near the state park, you will begin to see Beacon Rock. Turn left into the campground (directly across from the Beacon Rock) and follow it uphill a short way. Take your first right into the small trail-head parking lot.