Over time, naturally occurring landslides on the Washington side of the gorge have decreased slope angles, resulting in fewer waterfalls than on the Oregon side

Hardy Creek empties into Hardy Slough in the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge just before reaching the Columbia River

Hardy Creek drops 35' into Pool of the Winds, where it temporarily slows before slipping through this narrow crack and dropping another 45' as Rodney Falls

Old growth Douglas Fir trunks can measure 3 - 6' in diameter, and reach heights of 150 -250' tall with massive, complex crowns

The Washington side of the gorge is comprised of dense basalt over softer, unconsolidated rock beds which tilt south along the buried slope of an extinct volcano

The Hamilton Mountain Trail crosses the 45' lower tier of Rodney Falls on a long bridge

A precariously positioned viewing area just below Pool of the Winds provides a terrific (if not unavoidably misty) view of water pouring through a crack and continuing downstream as Rodney Falls

The Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains at roughly 50' above sea level in the gorge, the region's lowest point

The Hamilton Mountain Trail continues past the waterfall area with several routes to and around the summit

Though Hardy Falls is a taller and more concentrated horsetail formation, it's difficult to see from designated viewing areas

The sword fern is named for the sharp and serrated leaves, or pennae, on it fronds; on the backside of fronds are groups of sori called sporangia, which produce reproductive spores

View from Pool of the Winds down Hardy Creek