Oneonta Gorge - Columbia River Gorge

Oneonta Gorge

&

the Horsetail, Ponytail, and Triple Falls Loop

4.5 miles round trip | 550 feet elevation gain

Oneonta Gorge

The cold, wet, refreshing trek deep into mossy Oneonta Gorge to the hidden waterfall is not only my favorite activity to do in the Columbia River Gorge, but arguably one of my favorite outdoor activities of all time. I am obsessed with Oneonta Gorge. As a kid I had two favorite outdoor activities: climbing obstacles and getting wet. This is exactly what you will do if you follow Oneonta to its end at the falls. But as if the whole scaling obstacles and getting your feet wet thing weren't enough to excite me, there is a cherry-on-top: the sheer beauty of Oneonta.

Now I love deep, dark old-growth forests, panoramic mountain views, vast oceanscapes, etc- but there is something about wading through cold calf-deep water through a narrow, mossy, rocky slit in the earth with huge boulders and old fell trees to climb over that makes those other things seem slightly inferior. Maybe it's the kid in me that is so attached to Oneonta Gorge; and, undeniably, you will feel like a kid again when you're here. Even though the distance you scramble and splash back into the gorge isn't great, there is a sense that you are on a great adventure. Something about Oneonta makes me feel.... really, really happy and very, very nostalgic.

To come to Oneonta properly prepared, and to get the fullest experience possible, expect the following:

1. To climb up and over 2 large boulders
2. To tip-toe, balancing-beam-style, over several large old growth tree trunks.
3. To get wet, at the very least, up to your knees.
4. To get wet, at the very most, over your head if you're shorter, up to your chest if you're taller.
5. To wear some sort of footwear that you don't mind getting soaked. I would not recommend bare feet or flip-flops.
6. To wear clothing you don't mind getting soaked.
7. To have a dry pair of shoes to change into if you plan on doing the Horsetail Falls hike afterwards.
8. To not be in a hurry, because your inner-child is not going to want to leave, but, rather, splash around for an hour or more.
9. To see one of the greatest sights of your life.
10. To have some of the most fun of your life.

Okay, so experiencing Oneonta Gorge does require some physical activity. Climbing up and over the boulders and scaling the log-jam isn't something everybody can do. But rest assured, I've seen my 58 year old mother, as well as countless children, do it with ease.

Oneonta Gorge also requires you to get wet. Unless you're standing on the shoulders of a giant, you're going to get wet. So expect it and dress appropriately. But trust me, you're going to have the time of your life. And don't be a wuss! Jump in! Yes it's cold, but once you're in there you will have a smile plastered on your face! Even the crustiest, grumpiest curmudgeon will feel like a kid again while wading through Oneonta Gorge.

Here are photos from the trek into Oneonta Gorge, quite possibly the most fun you'll have in the wilderness surrounding Portland, Oregon!

Once you reach the waterfall you've gone as far as you can go. My suggestion: don't leave right away. Stay a while, wade, splash around, relax, get some sun, take a dip, have a picnic (if it didn't get soaked), talk to a fellow hiker about how f-ing cold the water was back there at "the deep part," etc. Because, in all honesty, this area back here by the waterfall is, in my opinion, quite possibly the perfect place to be on a hot late summer's day.

Next it's on to a hike that includes 3 more waterfalls: Horsetail, Ponytail, and Triple Falls. All three are accessed via the Horsetail Falls trail.

A short walk from Oneonta Gorge is the Horsetail Falls trailhead, which just so happens to start right at Horsetail Falls itself. Horesetail Falls pales in comparison to Multnomah Falls, but it is a pleasant (and less crowded!) waterfall right off the Historic Columbia River Highway. There is a miniscule "beach" (if you can call it that) with a chilled pool of water right at the base of the falls. Take a dip if you'd like, but trust me, it's going to be cold. This would be a great place to plop down a lawn chair and read from a good book.

Here are photos of Horsetail Falls and the trailhead area:

Horsetail Falls

A short half mile hike from the trailhead will bring you to what I think is the most exciting waterfall of the three: Ponytail Falls. Ponytail Falls is one of those unique waterfalls that you get to walk underneath and behind. The cavernous area underneath the falls is a great, cool spot to have a picnic, take a load off, or people watch (as it can get a little crowded under here on a summer weekend). Also, if you're feeling adventurous, there are rocks you can climb out onto to get a little closer to the action, but doing so will more than likely get you pretty wet. Not soaked (unless you fall in) but wet. Like I said though, Ponytail Falls is by far the greatest waterfall on this hike, so if you make this your final destination, you won't be too sorry.

Here are photos of Ponytail Falls:

a view of the trail connecting Horsetail Falls to Ponytail Falls

a view across the river of Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain from the trail up to Ponytail Falls

Ponytail Falls

If you're looking for a longer hike you can continue on another mile and a half roughly to Triple Falls. It isn't a difficult hike by any means, but chances are you'll break a sweat doing it. At one point you'll cross a bridge which gives you a view of the top of the hidden falls seen from within Oneonta Gorge. If you listen closely, you'll probably hear the hoots, hollers, and "holy shit that's cold!"'s from those down below in the gorge. And, if you're like me, you'll wish you were back down there in the water instead of up here on the bridge. A short ways past the bridge you'll come to an intersection. Hang a left uphill if you're looking to see Triple Falls.

Triple Falls is really only viewed from a cliff across from it. You'll reach the cliff before you reach the fall itself. Be careful on the ledge, it's practically a straight drop down. It's no mystery why this waterfall is named Triple Falls. Now, chances are you will see people lounging around in the area on top of the waterfall. There are large rocky sections that jut out alongside the creek that are great for picnics, lounging, getting your feet wet, etc. Just exercise caution. You are, after all, just yards away from a slippery drop of 120 feet.

At one point, while sitting out on the rocks about 7 yards from the ledge, a couple of young kids came running up to the ledge to peer down below. In my opinion, they got irrationally close to the ledge, to the point where a slip of the shoe (one was wearing sandals!) would almost certainly have resulted in a fall over the ledge. There is a big, BIG difference between bravery and stupidity, and these two definitely fell into the latter class getting this close to the ledge. If the reward isn't worth the risk, do not do it. And in this case, I doubt the view looking down Triple Falls was worth the risk of death, which almost certainly would've resulted from a 120 foot fall into shallow water below. The top of Triple Falls is a neat place to walk around and relax, but don't stretch your luck by buying into the temptations to get really close to the edge. I doubt it's worth the risk. 

Here are photos of Triple Falls:

Trail connecting Ponytail Falls to Triple Falls

Bridge over the upper section of Oneonta Gorge (basically above that waterfall at the end of Oneonta)

Triple Falls

Hikers getting up close and personal with the sloped, slippery edge of Triple Falls. Please don't do this.

If you're really looking for some exercise I would recommend walking all the way to Triple Falls. If you're a little worn out from your wet trek up Oneonta Gorge and your hike to Ponytail Falls, then I would recommend saving it for another day. Honestly, Oneonta Gorge is so much fun in and of itself that I would almost suggest just making half a day out of cooling off and splashing about in its crystal clear waters. Save the other three falls for the colder months, when Oneonta Gorge is no longer doable. Something tells me Triple Falls looks even better in the Fall. If it's summer, set your sights on Oneonta Gorge!! You won't regret it!

Ramona Falls - Mt. Hood National Forest

Ramona Falls 
Trail #797

Mt. Hood National Forest

7.1 miles round trip | 1,000 ft elevation gain

To date (July 9, 2012), Ramona Falls ranks as my favorite hike that I have ever experienced. It has everything I want out of a hike. If I were to sit down and design my perfect hike, it would very closely resemble Ramona Falls. Here's why:

1. At 7.1 miles long, it is the perfect length. Not too short but not too long. A good work out without draining you entirely.

2. It has minimal altitude gain, making it more relaxed and enjoyable than the steep and strenuous hikes. You focus on your surroundings more at Ramona Falls than you do your sore legs and your gasping lungs.

3. The trail traverses some of the most beautiful forest I've ever seen. Forest that looks as though you are walking through a fantastic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien or Kenneth Grahame. And there are about 3 very different types of forests that you will hike through on this trail alone, each as beautiful as the next. Plus, many sections of the trail are lined with tall, bright pink rhododendrons, which not only have a beautiful flower but also a beautiful, tropical-looking leaf.

4. Ramona Falls is a very worthwhile goal. Many out-and-back hikes do not have such an exciting pot-o-gold waiting for you at the end of your journey before it is time to turn back. Having such a great reward waiting for you at the end boosts hikers motivation to press on.

5. The cool, shady area at the foot of Ramona Falls is large enough to accommodate several groups of hikers while giving everyone their own sense of space. Even though you cannot camp in this area at the falls' base, the area is flat enough and large enough that it feels as if you're standing in a camp ground. Plenty of room for relaxing, picnicking, photographing, etc.

6. The forest surrounding Ramona Creek downstream from the falls is one of my favorite stretches of any trail I've ever been on. It is the quintessential Pacific Northwestern forest scene in here, with a babbling creek adding a peaceful soundtrack to your stroll.

7. The hike crosses a number of footbridges, the most important of which is only in place from May to November every year. The "seasonal bridge" crosses the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River and can be seen in photos of the first leg of the hike below.

8. There is a hauntingly grand view of Mt. Hood from the seasonal bridge / Sandy River basin area on a clear day. A nasty flood of the Sandy river carved a huge, bare swath that is now mainly rocks and driftwood with a much smaller, less violent Sandy running through the middle. This wide open area is perfect for viewing Mt. Hood in the not-so-far distance.

9. In many sections of the forest that you will hike through on your way to Ramona Falls a bright green moss blankets just about everything from fell trees to rocks and brush. (see photo below)

10. The drive to the parking area and trailhead is also very beautiful. Not located too far off the well-known Lolo Pass Road, the road to Ramona Falls Trailhead is wild enough to make you feel like you're roughing it but not too wild- inflicting merciless blows to your automobile's suspension system. Also, the parking area (a wide-open, make-shift gravel parking lot) is far larger than I had expected. You could probably fit 30 or more automobiles out here. Some trailheads, for example the Salmon River Trail not far from here, lacks adequate parking. Not Ramona Falls.

I could probably go on, but alright, I'll stop...On to the hike itself!

The first leg of the hike stretches from the parking area to the seasonal bridge over the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River and is roughly 1.4 miles long. Right away you'll notice how beautiful and unique the forest is here. You'll encounter just about every shade of green there is on the color spectrum. There is something about moss-covered rocks and stumps that feels fantastic to me, as if I was walking through some sort of enchanted forest from the stories of my youth. It makes me feel like a kid again- a time when I probably entertained a belief in things like trolls, elves, gnomes, bigfoot, and the like. And there is moss everywhere along this trail. Maybe one of the appeals of this hike to me is that I can imagine what it would've been like to be here when I was a young, over-imaginative child.

After a jaunt through the woods the trail will open up a bit as it begins to follow the wide, barren trench the Sandy River carved when it flooded. On a clear day you should be able to see sections of Mt Hood from here. The trail will follow along the Sandy River until you reach the seasonal bridge that puts you on the other side of it. The seasonal bridge is aptly named, because it is only in place during the hiking season, from May to November. Due to higher and more violent river conditions during the off season, the bridge is removed. Makes you wonder how many bridges got wiped out by the river before the forest service decided to build a removable one...

Here are photos from that first leg of the hike, from the trailhead to the seasonal bridge. Also included below is a photo of the view of Mt. Hood from the seasonal bridge.

The second leg of the trail starts right as you step off the seasonal bridge and extends about 0.2 miles to an intersection of trails. It is on this second leg that you will start to notice the bright pink-&-green Rhododendron bushes (see photo below). As if the forest couldn't get any prettier out here, you sprinkle in Rhododendron, one of my favorite plants in the wide world of Pacific Northwest flora. It is here where you will start to gain in elevation. The Sandy River basin off to your right will get deeper and deeper the further up the trail you go.

Here are a few photos from the second leg, including a close up of Rhododendron.

You will come to an intersection giving you two options: continue straight ahead on the hiker/horse trail to Ramona Falls, or turn left and head up to Ramona Falls via the hiker-only trail. Both guide books suggest making a loop out of your Ramona Falls hiking experience, so I decided to continue straight ahead on the hiker/horse trail and leave the hiker-only trail for my return. This hiker/horse trail from the intersection all the way to Ramona Falls I will label the third leg of the trail.

The third leg that follows the horse/hiker path to Ramona Falls is through a young, short, open forest with moss carpeting the floor. It's a beautiful forest, reminiscent of those you'd find at even higher altitudes. Just also be sure to keep an eye on the ground in front of you too. Horses share the trail with hikers, and few things rain on your wilderness parade quite like scrapping manure out of the treads of your nice hiking boots.

Follow the horse/hiker trail for 2 miles to Ramona Falls. Here are photos from the horse/hiker trail.

When you see this sign, bear left. In half a mile you'll arrive at the falls.

After a short gaunt past the sign above you'll pass through a horse gate and enter into the Ramona Falls area. Ramona Falls is stunning; and becomes more so the closer you get to it. This section of wilderness in here is picture-postcard Pacific Northwest: old-growth trees, ferns, moss, cascading waterfall, rocky-bottomed creek, log bridge. It's iconic. The area is plenty large to accommodate several groups of hikers without feeling cramped. My advice is to take your time here, take in the view in front of you, and have yourself a snack and a few drags of water from that Nalgene. Whatever you do don't just pick up and leave immediately after arriving. This is truly one of the greatest locations in the Pacific Northwest. Stop and stay a while.

Here are photos from the area surrounding Ramona Falls.

Once you've finally had your fill of Ramona Falls itself, cross the bridge and head to the left on a trail that follows Ramona Creek. This will bring you back to the intersection near the seasonal bridge and back to your car. It is about 2.3 miles in length from the falls to the intersection. Once you hit the horse gate turn left back to the intersection, which you'll hit in half a mile.

This section of the trail, which I will refer to as the fourth and final leg of the hike, is by far the most scenic. The forest in here is stunning; among the best I've yet come across on a trail. Add to that the babbling, cascading Ramona Creek, a few log bridges, and a rock wall and you're got yourself quite a grand finale, which makes an already perfect hike even better! This leg of the hike has the most "enchanted" looking forest on the whole trail. In future visits to Ramona Falls, I will more than likely avoid the horse/hiker trail altogether (pretty as it may be) and hike this hiker-only leg of the trail up to the falls and back. It's that pretty! The 2.3 mile hike back to the intersection is going to feel like half a mile. Time flies with so much beautiful nature to distract you.

Here are photos of the fourth leg of the hike, the hiker-only trail, that brings you back to the intersection from Ramona Falls itself:

This is my favorite hike of all time to date. I am glad that it is so close to Portland and easy to access, because I hope to do this hike several times a year. If you are looking for the perfect introduction to the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, look no further than the Ramona Falls trail.

On an ending side note:

If you're looking for a similar hiking experience that is open year round, I suggest the Salmon River Trail not far from here, just off the main highway in Zigzag. There may not be a grand waterfall at the end of the hike, but the forest is equally beautiful (as are the log bridges) and you get the benefit of following an audible river the whole time.