The Original
Columbia River Gorge
Waterfalls Letterboxes

Planted by Der Mad Stamper
 
About 30 miles east of Portland, Oregon, the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway passes along several of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever hope to see. You can follow the Scenic Highway all the way from Troutdale, or expedite the journey by taking Interstate 84 East all the way to exit 35, and then follow the Scenic Highway back west past the waterfalls. These majestic falls were the inspiration for this series of Letterboxes. The stamps in this series were carved in erasers with no tool other than an X-acto knife.

The Horsetail Falls Letterbox
Planted on August 30, 1998
Clues: Easy — Terrain: Moderate (steep grade)

Follow the trail that begins at Horsetail Falls.
Let others take the high road, while you take the low road.
Walk across rubble to the second boulder in your path.
A small pile of stones cover an opening in the hillside.
Behind them lies the Horsetail Falls Letterbox.

The Original Ponytail Falls Letterbox
Planted on August 30, 1998
Clues: Easy — Terrain: Moderate

From the Horsetail Falls Letterbox, retrace your steps, but take the high road this time. Walk behind the Ponytail Falls and continue past a large, lazy tree that grows lying on the ground. The Ponytail Falls Letterbox is about 190 paces further under a large rock at the foot of a tall fir tree. The memorial for a fallen fourteen-year-old is at 297 degrees.

Update - This box apparently went missing sometime in 2001.
According to Ryan, the original hiding place was no longer usable,
so he planted a relocated replacement box on March 2, 2002.

The Triple Falls Letterbox
Planted on June 16, 1999
Clues: Easy — Terrain: Moderate (5.5 miles round-trip)

From Ponytail Falls Letterbox, continue into the spectacular Oneonta Gorge. About a mile away, a high footbridge crosses the Gorge above Oneonta Falls. The trail then leads back up the other side of the Gorge and meets another trail. Turn left and follow the Ponytail Falls Trail as it leads southward up the Gorge to Triple Falls. Cross the wooden bridge at Triple Falls to a nice picnic spot. About 70 paces beyond, just past where a rotting log lies along the trail, there is a large (20-foot tall) rotting tree stump next to the trail. At its base, on the northwest side, is a small (about 6" dia.) moss-covered round stone. Lift the stone to reveal the Triple Falls Letterbox.

The Original
Multnomah Falls Letterbox
 
Planted on August 30, 1998
 
Clues: Moderate
Terrain: Easy
 

Multnomah Falls

Five trees together, two are twins from one trunk.
The letterbox is at the base of the twins
with Multnomah Falls at 125 degrees.

The Original Wahkeena Falls Letterbox
Planted on October 11, 1998
Clues: Moderate — Terrain: Easy

From the foot of Wahkeena Falls, take the trail
upward and enjoy the view from the stone bridge.
The letterbox is not far away, under a log
with a resting place at 220 degrees,
a tower in the water at 333 degrees,
and a charred tree trunk at 40 degrees.

Update - This box apparently went missing sometime in 2001.
According to Ryan, none of the landmarks in the original clue
exist, and the original hiding place is no longer usable.
Ryan planted a relocated replacement box on March 2, 2002.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:  

  Please don't over-exert yourself! Remember to Take a Break along the way!

 04.15  14.15.20  02.05.12.09.05.22.05  05.22.05.18.25.20.08.09.14.07  25.15.21  18.05.01.04 —  05.19.16.05.03.09.01.12.12.25  09.06  18.25.01.14  09.19  20.08.05  15.14.12.25  19.15.21.18.03.05  03.09.20.05.04!

  Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.