Rodney Falls

Located in Beacon Rock State Park, on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. From the intersection of Highways 205 and 14 in Vancouver, drive east along Highway 14 for about 28 miles to Beacon Rock State Park. Turn left at the sign for the campground, and proceed 1/3 of a mile to the parking lot for the Hamilton Mountain trailhead. Currently, there is a $5.00 parking fee. Hike up the well graded, but constantly climbing Hamilton Mountain trail for 1.4 miles to a split in the trail. The left fork leads shortly to the Pool of the Winds viewpoint, the right continues across Hardy Creek at the base of the falls, then continues up to Hamilton Mountain.Rodney Falls is by far the more interesting of the two major waterfalls in Beacon Rock State Park. Here, Hardy Creek pounds over a 35 foot ledge, into an alcove, where it has carved a deep, round pool aptly named The Pool of the Winds. From this pool, the creek exits through a crack no more than 3 feet wide, and cascades down another 45 feet over a jumbled cliff face. A precarious viewpoint has been built where the creek empties from The Pool of the Winds, allowing you to peer up into the alcove. However, when the creek is running high, be sure to bring your gortex, and don't expect to take any pictures, because with the wind comes the spray. The falls are quite photogenic, and are otherwise viewed from a footbridge spanning Hardy Creek at the base of the falls.