Aloha man saves daughter before drowning in whirlpool in White River Falls State Park
By Web Staff
WASCO COUNTY, Oregon (KPTV) A 38-year-old father was able to save his daughter but unfortunately drowned while the family was visiting White River Falls State Park over the weekend.
According to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Manuel Vantine, of Aloha, went to the park on Saturday with his two daughters. Around 12:20 p.m., the sheriff’s office was called to the park about a man who was struggling in the lower White River Falls outside Tygh Valley.
WCSO said witnesses reported Vantine and one of his daughters where in the river when they started to struggle in a whirlpool. Vantine was able to free his daughter from the whirlpool before he went under. A bystander jumped into the river and pulled the girl from the water. The bystander then went back in to pull Vantine out.
Difficulty: Moderate
There is free parking for the Eaton Canyon Falls hike, where you can visit the adjacent nature center that offers fun guided hikes with friendly docents. Located in the 190-acre Eaton Canyon Natural Area, this mostly flat hike shaded by buckwheat, prickly pear cactus, and sycamore trees in the San Gabriel Mountains is great for both families and dog owners. Cool off at the base of the 40-foot waterfall or spread out on one of the surrounding rocks for lunch.
Photo by misszin / Shutterstock
Waimea Falls
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Located within the lush, botanical abundance of Waimea Valley, home to over 5,000 types of plants, the 1.5-mile loop to Waimea Falls is well worth the short trek. You will see rare birds, including peacocks, while on this paved path. The cascades fall 45 feet; for cooling off, it’s possible to take a dip in the swimming hole at the base of the cascade.
10 Incredible Waterfall Hikes Around the U.S. AFAR 14 hrs ago
Photo by Victoria Ditkovsky / Shutterstock
Oregon s White River Falls is one of many easily accessible waterfalls in the U.S.There’s something about arriving at a cascading waterfall at the end of (or partway through) a rigorous hike that is truly gratifying. The possibilities are tantalizing jump in for a cool swim, head through or under the falling water, enjoy lunch on a nearby rock, or simply take in the surrounding flora and fauna to the soothing soundtrack of flowing water. No matter your fitness and experience level, there are easy to advanced hikes waiting for you in domestic destinations as diverse as Hawai‘i’s O‘ahu island, Malibu in California, Alaska, and central Oregon.
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“We’re less than 20 miles as the crow flies, and while many of my friends in the valley say, ‘You should see our view of Mt Hood.’ I chuckle because you really should see it from this side too. It really shines from up here.”
Above the nearby small burg of Tygh Valley, an overlook provides a peek to the namesake White River and marks a route that pioneers followed in the great migration across Oregon to reach the Willamette Valley.
There are several lakes and ponds but a short cast away, where boating and fishing can be enjoyed.