Palouse Falls

Southwest Washington




PALOUSE FALLS



A BRIEF SUMMARY OF PALOUSE FALLS

The iconic Palouse Falls is considered to be the official waterfall of Washington State. When you first walk up on the falls, you will understand why. Located in the southeast corner of Washington, the falls are like an oasis in the middle of the surrounding arid plains.

Out of nowhere, the powerful Palouse River falls 200ft. to a glacier cut bowl, and then leads to a S shape at the end of the ravine. For a landscape photographer, under the right conditions, the falls offer one of the more unique images in the Pacific Northwest. 

Images and location summary by Tim Wier

 

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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH PALOUSE FALLS SUMMARY

Trail Difficulty - MODERATE

I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to the location for shooting the falls is an easy 200yd. walk. However, to get the shot to include both the falls and gorge, you have to stand very close to the ledge of a cliff that drops about 100ft. straight down. If your have a fear of heights, you might want to avoid this location! 

Photography Tips

The only way to capture both the falls and the gorge together is to get very close to the steep ledge that drops about 100ft. straight down. If your have a fear of heights, you might want to avoid this location!

There are 3 primary spots that most photographers shoot from. The best location is a little rock peninsula that holds 1 or 2 photographers. The other locations are to the right and left of the peninsula and can hold 3-5 photographers each.

The window for a great sunset shot is very short and the light changes quickly. I would suggest setting up early and knowing what/how you are going to shoot. 

What Lens(es) Do You Need

Most people will shoot this wide to super wide. Depending on the composition you are looking for, you can use anything from an 11mm to a 35 mm lens.

GPS Coordinates & Elevation
 

Other Resources Available with Membership

  • KMZ Trail File

  • Directions

  • Best Time of Day to Shoot

  • Best Time of Year to Shoot

  • Equipment Needed

  • Permits Required

  • Direction of Shot

  • Google Maps Birds-Eye-View

  • Number of Photographers to Expect

  • Cell Service

  • Overnight Lodging/Camping

  • Nearby Restaurants

  • Area Guides and Workshops

  • Other Resources

 
 

LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Tim Wier