Western Columbia River Gorge

Taking these next two waterfall panos was a challenge because of the fine wet mist entrained in the wind blast from the base of the waterfalls during the high streamflow. These are not ideal conditions for keeping water droplets off the camera lens, especially when facing the falls or for the zenith shot; luckily the blurring is not too bad.

In December 2008, the Pacific NW experienced two weeks of unusual cold and record-breaking snowy weather. After Christmas, the return of more typical rainy weather combined with the melting snow generated very high stream flows and minor flooding. The Latourell Falls pano shows the massive mass of ice built up around the base of the falls. The reddish discoloration on the ice is from mud and rocks swept over the falls. At Elowah Falls, the creek is significantly less turbid and the only ice remnants are behind the falls. It was difficult to get much closer to Elowah Falls because of the tremendous blasts of spray. I was the only person to reach Elowah Falls that day.

These next three panos show development of the new Nancy Russell Overlook on Cape Horn, starting with the removal of the house that formerly occupied the cliff-top lot, to restoration and regrading of the property, and finally the completed overlook, dedicated during the 25th anniversary year of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which Nancy Russell did so much to help make a reality.