Greenleaf Falls

Greenleaf Creek drains from the basin between Table Mountain and Greenleaf Peak. As the stream runs west, it intersects a massive cliff band formed when the entire south faces of both mountains slid into the Columbia River. This landslide is thought to be the basis for the legend of the Bridge of the Gods which spanned the Columbia River at Cascade Locks. This massive landslide left cliffs stretching up to 1000 feet tall exposed on the sides of the two mountains, and while the underlying bedrock and sediment has allowed much debris to continue to slide, forming large talus cones across the escarpment, the falls remain the most visible on the north side of the Gorge, thundering some 200 feet total - about 80 in a wide plunge, followed by over 100 feet of cascades and smaller falls. A trail does lead to the base of the falls, however because of the serial nature of the formation it is almost impossible to see the entire waterfall from one location. Approaching the base of the 80-foot upper part of the falls requires dangerous scrambling up very crumbly slopes and is not recommended. Best bets are from across the river with a strong telephoto lens. The above picture was taken from the viewpoint at the picnic area at the mouth of Eagle Creek, on the Oregon side of the river.