Passage Through Time

Matt Tilghman

Shown here is Lower Oneonta Falls, an intimate waterfall at the end of Oneonta Gorge, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Oneonta Gorge seems like a landscape off another planet. It's a narrow gorge reminiscent of the slot canyons of the American Southwest, but in the middle of a lush temperate rain forest, with walls clad in moss and ferns, dripping with moisture. While hiking up the gorge, my mind was first struck by the similarity to a slot canyon, but then began to ponder the different ways they were created. The slot canyons of the Southwest form when rain water drains through existing sandstone channels, further carving them with every downpour. Oneonta Gorge, however, likely formed as the waterfalls (there are four) eroded their own precipice, marching backwards in time. As I considered this, the trek upstream began to feel like a march forward in time, mimicking the path of the waterfall but at a much faster pace. It's a truly remarkable piece of wilderness, and well worth the tricky trek over logjams and slippery boulders.

Hope you enjoy!

Photopaddler

Very nice, use to hike acroos the top of there on my way to triple falls when I lived in Oregon... I used to hear those falls and wonered what they looked like.

squirl033

nice! another spot added to my bucket list... at the rate i'm adding, compared to the rate i'm checking 'em off, i'll never finish 'em all, but hopefully i can make it to this one!

karloznz

Nice shot - love the lovely glow of the light on the moss.

Matt Tilghman

Thanks guys!

Secluded Valley

Beautiful shot. I'd love to visit Oneonta some day.

Kristine

kdog

Gorgeous.