Bridal Veil Creek

A classic Columbia Gorge canyon with reasonably good access. Be ready, however, for some jungle bushwhacking and creekwalking before reaching R1. This canyon holds a good amount of water late into the season. Sadly, this canyon, being close to civilization, has been used as a dumping ground for many years. There are a number of junked cars in the creek (reportedly 13 at one count); likely attempts at insurance fraud. Red Tape Updates:

Drop a car at the exit: the parking lot for Bridal Veil Falls just off the Old Columbia River Hwy. Either walk or shuttle 0.5mi east on the old highway east. (If on foot, use caution as there is no shoulder in some areas and vehicles come barreling through here.) Just before the Angel's Rest trailhead, turn off right on Palmer Mill Rd and right again immediately. Palmer Mill is one lane, steep, and eroded in spots, but can be driven carefully by 2WD. Follow it up for 1.5mi up to a spot where the road takes a 90-degree left turn. There's room here for a couple cars at a pullout. There are two options for entering the creek:

In high water, the descent can be quite technical. Several drops may have hydraulics present at the bottom. Experienced swiftwater canyoneers will have a blast rappelling in the watercourse and negotiating these features, while beginners may prefer to bypass them by rappelling out of the watercourse. The bedrock below R1 is a delight and a highlight of the canyon. It's possible to escape below R1 on a steep user-trail up to the road.