Hidden Falls is a beautiful waterfall, about 60 feet tall, and its base is easy to walk right up to. Located approximately 5 miles from the Grouse Vista Trailhead, the waterfall is not as easy to access as others in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, but it makes for a wonderful day hike amid conifer forests without the foot traffic of hikes farther south in the Gorge. Still, the trailhead is shared by the Silver Star, so expect it to be crowded on warm, clear days. A bridge near the falls is tucked away around a bend in the trail, another delight that makes Hidden Falls well worth the hike!
Parking at the Grouse Vista requires a Washington Discovery Pass. The beginning of this hike starts on the trail that is opposite the large trailhead sign. The fist 0.1 mile is shared with the Silver Star hike. Take the first left when the trail splits; the other direction goes to Silver Star. Stay on Tarbell Trail, and you will find Hidden Falls. The Tarbell Trail is marked well, and there is a sign at every intersection as well as every half-mile. Stay on the Tarbell Trail to Hidden Falls, nestled alongside the trail between the 5.5- and 5-mile marks.
This trail is mostly in the forest, but it also goes through a large clear cut. It looks to have been several years since it was logged, and there are abundant wildflowers in the clearing now. The new trees are only about a foot tall or shorter, and it is a great time to enjoy the area while the forest recovers.
Some of the wildflowers we saw:
- Queen Anne’s lace
- Wild bleeding hearts
- Lupine
- Larkspur
- Foxglove
- Many more
Take advantage of the Department of Natural Resources' map of the Tarbell and Silver Star Trail system, which offers a complete and reliable overview of the trails in the area.
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