Forest Sound Walk: Multnomah Falls with Wayne Grim
Trail: Multnomah Falls/Wiesendanger Falls
Artist: Wayne Grim
Length: 2.6 miles, approx. 2hr hours of music
Elevation Gain: 984 feet
Note: approach and bridge wheelchair accessible
World Forestry Center presents experimental composer and sound artist Wayne Grim, who created this meditative sound-walking music score by amplifying and remixing the smallest of forest sounds within the popular forest trails leading to Multnomah Falls, Dutchman Falls and Wiesendanger Falls.
ABOUT THE MUSIC
Keep your ears tuned to notice reverberations inside tree trunks, the sound of birds and insects, details of river water as it falls down cliffsides, the amplification of a metal fence overlooking the falls, and the sounds of underwater depths as the river flows.
If you are unable to visit this trail in person, you are able to immerse in the forest virtually, as these site specific abstract sounds can be listened to as a meditative sound bath no matter where you are.
PREPARE BEFORE YOU GO
Prior to departure and using a mobile device, we recommend you download the sound file, the map and forest guide. Once you are on the trail, you might not have ideal reception to steam these files directly from our website. Depending on your device, you might need to keep it from going to sleep as you walk, so be sure to charge up before departure.
BE SAFE: Forest Sound Walks are immersive experiences, so do be mindful of your surroundings as you walk the trail and listen to the music. Wear sturdy shoes and bring all necessities you need for this out and back hike. Between point 2 and point 4, there are 11 steep switchbacks as you climb 984 feet up the gorge to the top of Multnomah falls. Besure to wear sturdy shoes and bring necessities for this out and back hike.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Resonant Amplification
Amplification of water fall
Geophone attached to tree
Wahkeena Springs
Notes
(1.) Trail 441 at Parking lot toward…
(2.) Lower Falls
0:00 – Hear: (Remixed recordings of water from Ferry Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Wahkeena Springs.)
(3.) Arrive at 11 Switchbacks (elevation gain 984 ft)
22:30 – Hear: (Site recordings and sine waves, binaural beats)
(4.) Midway Viewpoint
45:00 – Hear: (Cedar flute, basalt rock amplification, granular synthesis, modular synthesizer, local radio waves)
(5.) To Top of Multnomah Falls
90:00 + 10 minute silent pause – Hear: (Geophone attached to metal viewing platform rail at top of Falls)
(6.) Trail 441a to Wiesendanger Falls
100:00 – Hear: (Geophone attached to burnt tree, crystal bowls)
(7.) Dutchman Falls
120:00 – Hear: (Hydrophone recording of river water)
(8.) Arrive at Wiesendanger Falls
130:00 + 10 minute silent pause – Hear: (Hydrophone recording of river water)
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Wayne Grim is a sound artist, musician, composer, and improviser. His work with acoustic and electronic instruments, computers and sound objects explores worlds between beauty and failure through the creation of graphic scores and site-specific recordings. His work spans a variety of areas, generative music, spontaneous composition, non-western musical techniques, improvisation, durational works, minimalism, noise, conceptual art, and the sonification of scientific phenomena.
Grim studied music at The University of Maryland and Mills College in Oakland California. He currently curates and produces sound works for the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
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