The heart of the hike — Rodney Falls tumbling in stages past the footbridge, and the short spur up to the Pool of the Winds, a nearly-enclosed cave that breathes wind and mist.
Here it is — Rodney Falls, the heart of this hike, where Hardy Creek puts on its big show. From the footbridge you get the full picture: the creek comes down in stages, an upper drop pouring into a deep pool walled in rock, and a lower drop tumbling on below the bridge, forty-odd feet, down toward the river. It's a cool, green, roaring amphitheater of stone and water and moss — a fine place to rest your legs and eat a snack with the spray on your face.
But don't leave without doing this: take the short spur off to the side, up a few steps to a little railed opening in the rock. That's the Pool of the Winds, and it's the strangest and best thing here. Go stand right at that opening — and hang out a minute, because Boone's got the story of what's about to happen to you, and you'll want to hear it right there, with the mountain breathing in your face. Careful on the wet rock; it's slick. Go on up.
Photo: Jeff Hollett from Vancouver, WA, USA · Public domain
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