5 mile round trip to the top of Munra Point back to the parking area at Wahclella/Tanner Creek.
Unmaintained trail with very steep & exposed cliffs!
Munra Point is an impressive knife-edge ridge line that separates Tanner Creek and Moffet Creek while overlooking Bonneville Dam. Facing the Columbia River to the north from Munra point Wahclella Falls pushes through tall basalt walls deep in Tanner Creek to the east and Moffett Creek pours down on the west.
The trail up to Munra Point is steep with a lot of exposed cliffs. Extra caution and steady foot work is required hereThe first view point on the way up, looking west towards Moffett Creek.North Bonneville & Hamilton Creek across the Columbia RiverKnife-edge ridge lineLooking down into Tanner CreekEnd of the trail
On February 8th, Scott Baker and I went to check out Cable Choke Falls. This was my 5th time at this falls. I have enjoyed checking out some of the history from this creek. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s there was a large scale logging operation that spanned the length of this gorge covering the falls with a log flume. A lot of the remnants of the flume can still be seen, including the cable in and across this falls. I had run it once before at higher water and I really wanted to run it again this season. After scouting the approach of the falls I was a little indecisive until Baker said he wanted to run it. Sometimes it’s a big relief when your are not the only one dropping off the lip. After a full scout of the lead-in it appeared to be a completely different falls this time. The lead in was bumpy and hard to control with the off angles on the rocky approach, but we made the best with what we had.
Scouting the lead-inScott Baker at the lippast the entry, past the reconnect, landing in sight
Final analysis; It goes with hard hits and It’s much better with more water!
Souther Creek is located just a couple miles east of the town of Stevenson, WA on hwy 14 at a spot known as Sweeney’s Corner (Curves between Stevenson and Carson). The falls have adopted that name over the years by locals. There is a small pull out at the creek and the falls can be seen upstream of the road. A short trail takes you face to face with the falls.
Approaching Sweeney Falls
At the base of the falls on the left side (Facing it) there is an abandoned and unsuccessful mine shaft.
Sweeney Falls with the cave in the picture at the base of the falls
Looking downstream, back toward the road, from the falls
The falls up close
These picture were taken just after a heavy rainstorm in the fall/winter. In the summer the flow drops to near a trickle. It is a nice detour stop on your way through the gorge on the Washington side. I have yet to explore further up the creek for kayaking, but I will post when I do.
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