Two or Three Waterfalls on Lindsey Creek?

Originally posted on Rubble

Acoustics can be strange, and the landscape, when seen from different angles, deceptive.  Points reached by different routes can be confusing…  

Lindsey Creek has two waterfalls for sure, Harrison Falls, actually visible from I-84 when the leaves are down in the winter, if you know where to look, and Lindsey Creek Falls. 

But I am not entirely sure that these are the only two.

 
Harrison Falls on Lindsey Creek (2013)
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.
Copyright © 2014 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

The lower waterfall is sometimes called Lower Lindsey Creek Fall, but more and more it’s old name is returning to use, Harrison Falls.

... This waterfall [Lindsey Creek Falls] was called Harrison Falls early in the 20th century. After the original Columbia River Scenic Highway was built, a number of auto camps were built along the new road. The one that operated at Lindsey Creek was known as Harrison's Auto Camp. No trace of it remains.

Doug Gorsline, "ashcreekimages.com" website, 2013 (Via columbiariverimages.com)

... Early postcards have this waterfall captioned as "Harrison Falls", or "Harrison Falls near Harrison Auto Camp, Columbia River Highway". I suspect this is simply a historic unofficial naming. ...Harrison Falls is the Historical name of this waterfall.

Known Alternate Names: Lower Lindsey Creek Falls.

Bryan Swan, "waterfallsnorthwest.com" website, 2013 (Via columbiariverimages.com)

It is easily reached by pulling off the eastbound freeway at the large turnout east of Lindsey Creek, where the old auto camp apparently was located. 

Lindsey Creek Turnout, Looking West (2013)
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.
Copyright © 2014 A. F. Litt , All Rights Reserved

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Photo Archive
Catalog Num: 1999.13.94P
Condition: Good
Date:
Location: The Dalles, Oregon
Title:
Content: No. 52. Harrison's Auto Camp, Columbia River Highway
Other Notes: description from above on front.no correspondence
Photographer: B.C. Markham, The Dalles, Oregon
Copyright:
http://www.gorgediscovery.org/photoarchive/newDetails.asp?offset=970&ID=2695

Today, nothing remains of the scene pictured above. Decades of flooding have wiped out not only the site of this camp but also the picnic area that was near Lindsey Creek until the 1960s.

Approximate Site Of Harrison Auto Camp and Picnic Area (2013)
HCRH. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.
Copyright © 2014 A. F. Litt , All Rights Reserved

There is a sort of trail to the falls leading up the east bank of the creek, though it may require getting wet here and there (in November, at least, when I was there last).  Good views can also be found on the slopes above the west bank, at least when the leaves are down.  This is where I shot my photo of these falls from.

This area was also the original trailhead for the Mt. Defiance trail(https://www.flickr.com/photos/21209133@N06/sets/72157627002746570/). 

Harrison Falls (2013)
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.
Copyright © 2014 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

Still, looking at the map above, it seems like Harrison Falls may be marked a little too far upstream.  Standing on the west side of the ravine above, though, under the powerlines, one can hear Harrison Falls towards the freeway, but it sounds like there is another large waterfall upstream from it to the south, best heard from the south edge of the powerline clearing.

Above a waterfall?
Sure sounds like it, but it is tricky and dangerous getting much closer than this. Upstream from Harrison Falls so I think this is a different one.  There is a third further to the south, but I suspect this is the big one on Lindsey Creek, it's quite a drop between the valley on the right and the ravine on the left.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.

Not quite sure what is down there, and at first I thought it was the waterfall Scott Cook calls Lindsey Creek Falls in his book Pokin’ Round The Gorge, but reading the directions to that waterfall a little more closely, and then tracing them out on Google Earth, this is starting to sound more like the one marked on the map above and one I’ve glimpsed from the Lindsey Creek Road, which is marked in blue on the map below.

Map by Paul Jess.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/21209133@N06/5851360195/in/set-72157627002746570

"Upper" Lindsey Creek Falls from the old Lindsey Creek road grade (2013)
The perspective in the photo above is a bit strange, since it looks like it was taken from the west side of the ravine, but due to the meandering nature of the creek and the high power zoom, this is just an illusion, this was taken from the east side of the ravine.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. November 1, 2013.
Copyright © 2014 A. F. Litt , All Rights Reserved

Cook’s directions to the falls start at the same location as Curious Gorge Hike #32: Summit Falls/Historic Highway Loop (pg. 76, 2012 edition), but then following the BPA access road’s east fork towards Lindsey Creek.

Follow the double track to the last tower, cut left around it then swing to the right, under the lines and over the sticks into the forest.  Pick your way on the old roadbed for a minute until you see a rough trail climbing down to the left.  Follow this down then angle upstream and bushwhack over to the creek … and take note of where you are so you can find it on the way back!  Now you begin to splash, bob, weave and hop for 8-9 minutes to the falls.

           Scott Cook.  Pokin’ Round the Gorge.  Hood River, OR: Scott Cook. 2008. 81.

Roughly recreating his directions in Google Earth leads to a map that looks like this, though in November 2013, few traces of the roads Cook describes were visible.  The route below is speculative, so please use caution if attempting to follow it, and it is based on a combination of Cook’s directions and my own experience in the area.

His photo of the falls themselves graces the cover of the book.  There are more inside, but due to the nature of that book, and this site, this is the only one I’m comfortable posting!

So, is there a hidden “Middle” Lindsey Creek Falls?  There could be.  Cook’s directions to the upper falls seems to bypass the area where the sound of a waterfall is coming from.  Also, zooming in a bit on Google Earth, there sure seems to be at least one waterfall down there that looks at least as large as Harrison Falls. 

Click to enlarge…

One of these days I’ll pick my way down into that ravine and find out, unfortunately, the last time I was there I was by myself, it was getting late, and nobody really knew where I was if something went wrong, so I was playing it really safe and taking no risks.  But I think this summer, tramping up and down the creek on a hot summer day may be a fun adventure! 

I’ll post and update if I find anything!

Update – Like 15 minutes later…

I need to remember to hit Google before I hit send…

A good thread (with great pictures) on Lindsey Creek.  Probably not a big “middle” falls in there, just lots of whitewater essentially making the whole stretch one big falls.  But there are more falls upstream from Lindsey Creek Falls.

Lindsey Creek 8 23 2011: http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9227

More on Lindsey Creek Falls:

Lindsey Creek Falls (2008 vs 2014): http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=18797

Benson Bridge Damaged by Rockfall

Post by Recreating the Historic Columbia River Highway.

From the U.S. Forest Service: 

Benson Bridge Closure Date(s): Jan 9, 2014 Starting immediately, Benson arch bridge on Larch Mountain trail #441 at the base of Multnomah Falls is closed due to severe damage from a fallen rock. Engineers are working on an inspection. Larch Mountain trail #441 will be closed from Multnomah Falls viewing plaza near Multnomah Falls Lodge to the Gorge #400 trail until further notice.  

http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/crgnsa/alerts-notices/?aid=21246

From KGW: 

This isn't the first time a large rock has fallen on the Benson Bridge, but it has been quite a while. 

In 1995, a boulder the size of a school bus slid from the face of upper Multnomah Falls and dropped into the upper plunge pool. This created a splash of 70 feet and sent rocks flying over the bridge. 

A large wedding party just happened to be on the bridge for photos when the boulder fell and 20 people were injured by rock shrapnel, including the groom.  No one had serious injuries though, and the bride and groom's story was featured the next day in the newspaper.  

http://www.kgw.com/news/Large-rock-falls-on-iconic-bridge-at-Multnomah-Falls-239483641.html 

View Point Inn: Basic History

From: 007 - HCRH - CHANTICLEER POINT TO CROWN POINT
(http://www.recreatingthehistoriccolumbiariverhighway.org/HCRH-Segments/007---chanticleer-point-to-crown-point)

View Point Inn:

First opened in 1924 or 1925, then closed in 1962, then opened, briefly in 1997 before being closed again... When it finally reopened, in 2006, I think, it quickly showed up in the 2008 movie Twilight before closing due to fire damage in 2011. 
 I'll try not to draw a connection, since I know a few people like that film and I don't want to see them put off by a comment about karma...

The most recent owner, Geoff Thompson, started repairing the Inn in 2013.

The original property was owned by Lorens Lund, a Danish immigrant who came to the United States in the 1870’s. Lund and Norwegian wife, Mari, gave the name “Thor’s Heights” to their 120 acres overlooking Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge. The land was later purchased by the Grace H. Palmer Corporation. Mrs. Palmer hired highly renowned Portland architect, Carl Linde, to design and build a $47,000 Tudor Arts and Crafts Style “tea house” and “resort”. The Palmer House, as it came to be called, opened on June 4, 1925, in hopes of capturing the growing market of automobile tourism that was growing in the Gorge area thanks to the Columbia River Highway.

Mrs. Palmer’s hopes were dashed however in 1927, as bankruptcy forced the Grace H. Palmer Corporation to liquidate and sell the Palmer House. Luckily, William Moessner, the prestigious German chef de cuisine of downtown Portland’s Benson Hotel purchased the property and renamed it The View Point Hotel. He ran a highly successful business with his wife Clara for over 50 years. It was during this time that numerous Hollywood celebrities, famous Americans, and European royals frequented the Inn, including such notables as President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin. The View Point Hotel remained highly successful until the 1960’s.

From View Point Inn: http://www.theviewpointinn.com/inn/history.html

The Inn became a regular stop for charter buses bringing visitors to the Gorge for a salmon dinner.

Clarence E. Mershon.  East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway.  Portland:  Guardian Peaks, Inc.  2001.  1st Edition.  (37)

After the opening of Interstate 84, automobile tourism along the Columbia River Highway faded away, as did the many inns and restaurants dotting the scenic drive. Proprietor William Moessner, however, stubbornly refused to accept defeat. Every day, he kept the inn immaculate and ready for business. While there is much speculation, no one really knows when the last meal was served. However, we do know that Moessner faithfully tended to the ghost hotel up until the day of his death in 1979. 

From View Point Inn: http://www.theviewpointinn.com/inn/history.html  

Moessner closed the Inn in 1962, but continued to live on the premises until his death in 1979.

Clarence E. Mershon. East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway. Portland: Guardian Peaks, Inc. 2001. 1st Edition. (37)

The inn was subsequently purchased in 1982 by Doug and Karen Watson, who helped to win it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Only four properties boast this prestigious distinction in the entire Columbia River National Scenic Area.

From View Point Inn: http://www.theviewpointinn.com/inn/history.html

The Inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  When an inventory of historic buildings was completed for the proposed Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Inn was closed, hence was not included as a commercial enterprise.  Therefore we have an incongruity - an Inn with a recognized historic importance that cannot now operate as an Inn.  This is unfortunate, not only because of the historic significance of the building, but because it should be open for use by the public.  [Its restrooms would be a welcome addition for visitors, particularly the elderly or disabled.]

Clarence E. Mershon. East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway. Portland: Guardian Peaks, Inc. 2001. 1st Edition. (37)

The Inn’ current owner, Geoff Thompson, secured the property in 1997 and started a very successful restaurant and bed & breakfast. In 1998 the U.S. Forest Service purchased the land surrounding the property and wanted to link the inn with the nearby Vista House to create a state park. Government agencies colluded together and drove Thompson off his land in 1999. 

From View Point Inn: http://www.theviewpointinn.com/inn/history.html

Recently, after re-opening in 1997 under a very restrictive permit issued by Multnomah County, the new owners found themselves involved in a court case engendered by a complaint about its operation and parking. The court found that the owners of the Inn had violated their operating permit. An appeal to the Gorge Commission failed for the reason cited above. Apparently, an Act of Congress would be required to allow the Inn to operate as an Inn. Hence, the View Point Inn joins the list of historic structures that have not fared well under the Scenic Area Act, despite its provisions related to historic preservation.

Clarence E. Mershon. East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway. Portland: Guardian Peaks, Inc. 2001. 1st Edition. (37 - 38)

Due to his great love of the gorgeous historic property, Thompson fought to legally block the sale of the inn and the ghost hotel sat empty for the next four years. In 2003, he returned and purchased the inn a second time with his partner Angelo Simione. After a three year legal battle, which included amending a Federal Act, Thompson finally emerged victorious! That December, The View Point Inn became an Oregon landmark once again.

From View Point Inn: http://www.theviewpointinn.com/inn/history.html

Before the fire...  View Point Inn from Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint, Corbett, Oregon. February 22, 2011.

The historic 1296 Inn is nowadays famed for its part in the hit vampire movie Twilight. Fans come from around the world to see the prom scene "Hotel Monte Carlo" and maybe go on the "Twilight Sights" bus tour hosted by the Inn. The Inn has quaint rooms and a breakfast/lunch/dinner dining room just dripping with old-time charm and elegance.

Scott Cook. Curious Gorge: Over 100 Hikes and Explorations in the Columbia River Gorge. Hood River, OR: Scott Cook. 2010. 3rd Edition. (19)

View Point Inn & burned roof from Women's Forum Viewpoint. Columbia River National Scenic Area. Oregon. October 16, 2012

The historic View Point Inn and Restaurant in Corbett lost most of its roof in a fire Sunday, and blackened debris covered the furniture and floor on the hotel's second floor. But the owners of the hotel, which overlooks the Columbia River Gorge, are still not sure how they will pay for repairs.

The building has not been insured since April, said Geoff Thompson, who owns the inn with his partner Angelo Simione.

Sophia Li, The Oregonian "View Point Inn in Corbett was uninsured, say owners after Sunday's fire"  The Oregonian July 11, 2011 at 8:57 PM, updated July 13, 2011 at 7:28 PM 

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/07/corbetts_view_point_inn_was_uninsured_say_owners_after_sundays_fire.html

Another article on the fire, with photos...

http://www.kptv.com/story/15055847/historic-columbia-gorge-hotel-heavily-damaged-in-fire

September 28, 2011, Willamette Week Cover Story:

LARGER THAN LIFE: Thompson's crucifixion picture.
IMAGE:  Willamette Week / James Rexroad

Like rubberneckers at a car crash, gawkers flock to the Viewpoint Inn.

Some inch close to the cliff at the edge of the property and gaze at the Columbia River, 1,100 feet below.

Twilight groupies make the pilgrimage to see where pivotal scenes from the 2008 cult vampire flick were shot.

Others come to inspect the damage from a July fire that left the 87-year-old inn a charred ruin.

And everybody who visits the Viewpoint now witnesses something else: a larger-than-life photo of inn owner Geoff Thompson, his bodybuilder’s physique naked except for a strategically placed banner.

Above Thompson’s head on the photo are the words “Small Business Crucified,” and across his midsection, the banner reads, “By the Obama Administration.”

The Christ metaphor suits Thompson’s worldview.

“It’s been rough here,” Thompson says. “But what I’ve gone through has made me an amazing human being.”

The crucifixion image is unsettling to neighbors in the unincorporated east Multnomah County hamlet of Corbett.

Nigel Jaquiss. "The Crucifixion of Geoff Thompson" Willamette Week. September 28th, 2011 http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18016-the_crucifixion_of_geoff_thompson.html

View Point Inn and Larch Mountain from Chanticleer Point

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. April 23, 2013. 

Despite the obstacles and fleeting hope, Geoff Thompson is finally taking the initial steps toward restoring the View Point Inn, a historic building in Corbett that was ravaged by fire in July 2011.

...

Money from an insurance settlement will fund the project, which, Thompson said, will be complete in spring 2014.

He added that the structure will need a new roof, and there is significant interior damage. Reconstructing the building’s shell should be complete by Labor Day, and then the focus will move to the interior next winter.

Kristopher Anderson. "Construction begins at View Point Inn" Portland Tribune.  January 18, 2013 http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/126748-construction-begins-at-view-point-inn