On the way to the top of the falls it seemed as if the mist was taunting us to get to the top. Every step we took, more mist hit us. Each switchback came closer, and we could hear the roar of crashing water. The ground was frozen, causing a crunch under my boots with every step I took.

I remember crossing a bridge at what I thought was the half way point. The bridge was drenched in water and slowly formed a sheet of ice. Water droplets turned into icicles on the ornate pillars of the bridge while I heard the shutter of my Nikon. Attempting to take pictures, mist spraying at my face, wind howling at my back, I felt calm. The calm you can only feel when in nature’s paradise.

The mist dissipating, we neared the half way mark. The falls were not visible at this point due to the switchbacks winding around the mountain. With the terrain getting more muddy and icy, reaching the top seemed impossible. Yet, the more we hiked, the more beautiful it became. There was no mud now, no ice, just pure white snow covering the ground. The tree branches sagged with the weight of the snow and the river seemed to be frozen over.

A steep downgrade was ahead and I visioned myself losing my footing and sliding all the way down. Then, I looked to my right and noticed a path that read “scenic route.” It was not quite as steep of a downgrade, so we decided to take the path less traveled. The path took us along the side of the river leading us to the top of the falls. The trail, now covered in snow, winded back upward to the top of the mountain.

The top of the falls was in sight now and lucky for us the sun came out and showed more colors in a sunset than I have ever seen. While we looked out at the sunset there was no more mist, no more wind, just the calm flowing of a river leading the water to a crashing end 600 feet below.

As I gazed out over the falls, I felt a connection to nature - a connection to the beauty. The falls were everything I imaged and more. I stood at the top and felt invincible. I had gone on hikes before Multnomah Falls, but nothing has yet to compare.

My goal is to hike Multnomah Falls every season and put together a collage of pictures, from a frigid winter to a beautiful summer day.

Wanderlust had taken over me and to this day I am not content. I want to see every piece of nature I can before my clock runs out. Multnomah was just the beginning, since then I have seen the view of the Yosemite Valley from the top of Yosemite Falls, hiked the long gravel path to Lee Falls and gazed in awe at the 14 different waterfalls on a hike in Silverton, Oregon.

My wanderlust has just started and I cannot wait to see where it takes me.