Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon

This mornings hike marked the last hike for cubscouts this year. We chose to mark the occasion by going to Bridal Veil Falls. The hike down to the falls is only 0.6 miles and there is an optional loop at the start of the trail head going in the opposite direction that is 0.5 miles long. Because we were using this hike to earn our hiking badge we did both the trek to the falls and the loop. The boys absolutely loved the location. They had been there before but it was years ago so I don't think they remembered. Bridal Veil is just one of probably a dozen waterfalls located along Oregon Scenic Hwy 30. This is the same road that the famous Multnomah Falls lies on.

What I really love about this hike is that it is a great, family friendly, starter hike. Never been hiking before or a little out of shape? Have tiny little ones who you have to pack in or can't walk far? This is the hike for you. The path is very well maintained all the way down to the falls and the loop itself is completely paved. Viewpoints are fenced so there is little risk of accidents. Only major caution is that there is a lot of poison oak in this area. So please, please stay to the trail and keep the little ones from grabbing at plants along the edges. Last thing you want is an itchy, cranky kiddo cause poison oak got them. Ahh the memories of being slathered in calamine lotion are coming back to me now...sigh*

Family Hike Rating:

Kid friendly: Yes. You are unlikely to find a more kid friendly hike then this one.

Travel time: It's roughly 30 minutes from North Bonneville, WA. Your probably looking at an hour coming from Hood River or 30ish minutes coming from Portland. Please be careful driving on Hwy 30. 30 is a historical highway that is very very narrow. Not only are there areas where its difficult for two cars to pass through safely but you are also sharing the road with a lot of bicyclists who are out enjoying the waterfall tour.

If your going to visit Bridal Veil you should go early in the morning and stop at some of the other falls along the way. Some are only accessible by long hikes up massive switchback trails, others are directly off hwy 30 and can be seen from your car.

On the trail to Bridal Veil Falls

Leave it to a group full of boys to find the worlds biggest slug

Bridal Veil Falls

Mid Columbia Cubscout Pack 392. We rock!

Another pic of Bridal Veil from below the falls.

Aww...brotherly love...that rarely happens. lol.

On our way back to the trail head.

At one of the viewpoints along the loop

Columbia River looking towards Portland OR.


Want more information on hiking in the Columbia Gorge? Feel free to contact me!

Rachel B. 

Lower Lewis River Falls

So far this summer we have gone on some kind of hike, walk or bike ride every single weekend. This weekend we managed to make it out to two different locations. One (Bridal Veil) we had been to before and the other (Lower Lewis River Falls) where we had never been. The Lewis River hike was suggested by my husbands uncle who drove us out there. Talk about an amazingly beautiful, adventurous hike! For those of you who do not know, Lower Lewis River Falls is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. LewisRiver.com has an amazing array of information on the falls located in this particular area of the Pinchot.

When we got there we were above the falls and spent a good deal of time looking for a way down. We eventually found it although it tends to be a little steep. If you have little ones you will need to help them down. I recommend going into the water below the falls instead of up on top. The national park service has posted a sign about the danger and inherent death at the start of the trail. Getting down to the bottom is, like I said, tricky, but doable. If you are a more adventurous, laugh in the face of danger type, you can cliff dive from the top of the falls into the pool below. We did see some teens doing that when we got there. Crazy kids. Overall the hike was not so much of a hike as it was a scenic drive topped off by a beautiful location. We were able to see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Rainier all from the roads we were driving on. I have every intention of going back to this location. They do have a couple of large campgrounds in the area so I think next time we will make a night of it.

Family Rating:

Kid Friendly: Yes, to an extent. If your willing to help them get down to the water and are willing to watch them. The water moves fast. Kids can be swept away in the current and there are big drop offs.

Travel Time: 1.5 hours from North Bonneville, WA. Roads are rough in areas, unpaved in some, and windy in others. If your not sure your car can cut it then don't go. Gonna risk it, bring emergency supplies just in case. It is after all in the middle of a national forest. 

Mt. St. Helens from the McClellan View Point. 

2 Birds enjoying the view

 Daddy bird with 2 little birds

Family pic!

Uncle Craig, Grandma Carla and Cousin Josh

Super old swirly barked tree...Phoenix pointed this one out.

View of the falls from up above

Look at that smile! He loves a good adventure.

Eating...as always...

William and Phoenix at the bottom of the falls. Green area is rocks covered in moss, blue behind is a deep deep pool. Steep drop off right there.

The cliffs below the falls

More below the falls

Getting ready to head out...

Mt. Adams from the Gifford

Mt. Rainier from the Gifford


If you want more information on the hike please feel free to contact me. Everyone should see this one at least once in their life.

Rachel B.

Combining Blogs

So for the last couple of years I have managed three blogs. This one, which is the family blog. The R Word, which is about my love of running, and Being Human, which is about my love of Anthropology. As much as I love all these blogs, I figure its time to combine them all into one so that I don't have to worry about constantly updating three different pages. Therefore, 2 Birds will now be my primary posting site. The other blogs will stay active so that people can go back and access that information if they would like. I hope everyone enjoys reading the new stuff I will be posting on here. There should be an uptick in content but you'll have to decide which stories are best for you.

Rachel B.