The strenuous 1.2 mile trail to the base of Fairy Falls passes through one of the most verdant, dripping rainforest settings in the Northwest. The final third mile of the trail parallels Wahkeena Creek through a narrow fern-lined gorge as it tumbles between moss-covered rocks beneath a canopy of old-growth firs. While Fairy Falls is only 20 feet tall, its beauty is derived from the blocky ledges of basalt which cause the water to break into numerous lacy streams. Further downstream, at the base of the trail, the much larger Wahkeena Falls plunges 242 feet over basalt cliffs on its way to the Columbia River. Few places in North America can match the number of magnificent waterfalls found along the forty-mile length of the Columbia Gorge. This photograph was captured on 6x7 format film. All photos in these galleries may be ordered as fine art black & white framed prints or for stock photography usage.