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Sahale Falls is the most easily accessed of the handful of waterfalls along the East Fork of the Hood River. The falls veil 64 feet down the back of a verdant grotto, with additional drops of 4 feet and 10 feet immediately downstream. Though the falls are located at a high elevation on the slopes of Mount Hood, which guarantees a consistent amount of water in the river all year, the basin of the East Fork of the Hood River is small at this point and late in the summer - especially in low snow years - the volume of the river is greatly reduced, lessening the visual impact of the waterfall.
The falls are viewed from a picturesque arch bridge dating back to the construction of the original Mount Hood Scenic Byway in the 1930s, much of which was destroyed when US 26 was built. The bridge, now closed to auto traffic is one of the last vestiges left where one can take in the sights once popularized by the road.
- Sahale Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
- Known Alternate Names: Sahalie Falls
Sahale Falls was named by Portland resident George Holman as a part of a competition sponsored by the Portland Telegram. Sahale (pronounced Sa-hall-ee) is a Chinook word meaning "High" (it is acceptably spelled both Sahalie and Sahale, but pronounced the same).
Sahale Falls is found near Hood River Meadows Ski area off Highway 35 near Bennett Pass. Take Highway 26 east from Gresham to the junction of Highways 26 and 35, 2 1/4 miles east of Government Camp. Follow Highway 35 for 7.8 miles to the signed entrance to Hood River Meadows and turn left. After 1/2 mile, turn left again onto the Old Mount Hood Scenic Byway, which is signed for Sahale Falls, and follow the road to its end just before the bridge below the falls in another 3/4 mile.
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