Difference between revisions of "Ponytail Falls Hike"

Revision as of 00:12, 28 September 2019

Ponytail Falls (Steve Hart)

Six-spotted sexton beetle (Nicrophorus defodiens) and dead shrew on the Horsetail Trail (bobcat)

Behind Ponytail Falls in winter, Oneonta Natural Area (bobcat)

Stonework at Horsetail Falls (Jeff Statt)

Horsetail Falls at the end of summer (bobcat)

The short route to Ponytail Falls (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo

Start point: Horsetail Falls Trailhead
End Point: Ponytail Falls
Trail Log : Trail Log
Hike Type: Out and Back
Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 320 feet
High point: 350 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year-round except during winter storms
Family Friendly: Yes
Backpackable: No
Crowded: Yes

Falling

NOTICE: This trail was impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. The Forest Service has reopened the trail, but warns hikers to enter at their own risk because of hazardous conditions, including loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, debris flows, and damaged or blocked trails. There may be vegetation carpeting the trail tread in places. Less experienced hikers should consider an alternative to this hike while these conditions exist, and all hikers with dogs or small children should consider safer alternatives.

This is the easiest waterfall hike in the gorge. You get a stunning waterfall at the trailhead and a second one less than half a mile up the trail. As of Summer 2019, however, you cannot hike much past Ponytail Falls as the Horsetail and Oneonta Creek drainages are still closed to hikers in the aftermath of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Both Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls are part of the Oneonta Natural Area, designated for its "dramatic chasms" and unique flora.

The trail begins at Horsetail Falls, one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere. Plan on a little time before or after you hike to view and photograph the falls. The Horsetail Falls Trail #438 begins climbing two easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. Some tall old-growth trees scorched by the Eagle Creek Fire were cut down in the area, so the slope is more open than it used to be. Burned maples are coming back from their lignotubers, and thimbleberry, snowberry, trailing blackberry, and phacelia exhibit rampant growth in the wake of the fire. Soon, you'll pass your first trail junction, where the Gorge Trail #400 heads east.

Keep right at the junction and, after four more switchbacks, the trail levels out to traverse below basalt cliffs. You'll get views to the Oneonta Wetlands across the railroad. After 4/10 of a mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small ravine containing Ponytail Falls. In literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world as you pass an unmaintained user trail that clambers up the roots of a Douglas-fir on your left. The main trail passes behind Ponytail Falls in a cavernous overhang eroded beneath a lava flow. Turning big-leaf maples and vine maples make this a beautiful hike in the autumn, specifically late October through early November. Forty yards beyond Ponytail Falls is the closure gate where you'll have to turn back.

Maps

Maps: Hike Finder
Green Trails Maps: Bridal Veil, OR #428
Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S
Geo-Graphics: Trails of the Columbia Gorge
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management: Columbia River Gorge
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Fees, Regulations, Facilties, etc.

Picnic tables, information kiosk

Trip Reports

Search Trip Reports for Ponytail Falls Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

Search Trail Q&A for Ponytail Falls Hike
Rockslide on trail near Ponytail Fals
Cutting the switchbacks at Ponytail Falls

Guidebooks that cover this hike

Oregon: The Creaky Knees Guide by Seabury Blair, Jr.
Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavitch
Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon by Adam Sawyer
100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
Trips and Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
Columbia Gorge Getaways by Laura O. Foster
70 Virtual Hikes of the Columbia River Gorge by Northwest Hiker
Curious Gorge by Scott Cook
Portland Hikes by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman
Columbia River Gorge: 42 Scenic Hikes by Don & Roberta Lowe
35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
Short Trips and Trails: the Columbia Gorge by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A.Plumb
Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest by David L. Anderson
Canine Oregon by Lizann Dunegan

Contributors

Stevefromdodge (creator)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
 [[Category:Columbia River Gorge]]
 [[Category:Waterfall Hikes]]
@@ Line 8: / Line 9: @@
 [[Image:PonytailFalls1.JPG|thumb|400px|Ponytail Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
-[[Image:PonytailFallsHikeView.jpg|thumb|250px|Hamilton Mountain and Beacon Rock from the trail to Ponytail Falls ''(Jeff Statt)'']]
+[[Image:Six-spotted sexton beetle (Nicrophorus defodiens) and dead shrew, Horsetail Trail.jpg|thumb|250px|Six-spotted sexton beetle ''(Nicrophorus defodiens)'' and dead shrew on the Horsetail Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:Ponytail Falls, Oneonta Natural Area.jpg|thumb|250px|Behind Ponytail Falls in winter, Oneonta Natural Area ''(bobcat)'']]
 [[Image:HorsetailFallsTrailhead3.jpg|thumb|250px|Stonework at Horsetail Falls ''(Jeff Statt)'']]
+[[Image:Horsetail Falls, Columbia Gorge.jpg|thumb|160px|Horsetail Falls at the end of summer ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:PonytailFallsMap1.png|thumb|400px|The short route to Ponytail Falls (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Caltopo'']]
 {{Start point|Horsetail Falls Trailhead}}
@@ Line 16: / Line 20: @@
 * Hike Type: Out and Back
 {{Distance|0.8 miles}} round trip
-{{Elevation gain|360 feet}}
+{{Elevation gain|320 feet}}
+* High point: 350 feet
 {{Difficulty|Easy}}
 * Seasons: Year-round except during winter storms
@@ Line 22: / Line 27: @@
 * Backpackable: No
 * Crowded: Yes
+{{Hazards|f=y}}
 === Hike Description ===
-This is the easiest waterfall hike in the gorge. You get a stunning waterfall at the trailhead and a second one less than half a mile up the trail.
+<b>NOTICE: This trail was impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. The Forest Service has reopened the trail, but warns hikers to enter at their own risk because of hazardous conditions, including loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, debris flows, and damaged or blocked trails. There may be vegetation carpeting the trail tread in places. Less experienced hikers should consider an alternative to this hike while these conditions exist, and all hikers with dogs or small children should consider safer alternatives.</b>
-The trail begins in one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere, at [[Horsetail Falls]]. Plan on a bit of time before or after you hike to view and photograph the falls. Horsetail Falls Trail #438 begins climbing some easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. You'll pass your first trail junction here, as [[Horsetail Falls-Gorge Trail Junction|Gorge Trail #400]] heads east. After 5 switchbacks the trail levels out, and heads west for a bit high above the Gorge below. After 4/10 of a mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small valley containing [[Ponytail Falls]]. In literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world. The trail passes behind Ponytail Falls in a cavernous area eroded beneath a lava flow. Bigleaf maples and vine maples make this a beautiful hike in the autumn, specifically late October through early November.
+This is the easiest waterfall hike in the gorge. You get a stunning waterfall at the trailhead and a second one less than half a mile up the trail. As of Summer 2019, however, you cannot hike much past [[Ponytail Falls]] as the Horsetail and Oneonta Creek drainages are still closed to hikers in the aftermath of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Both [[Ponytail Falls]] and [[Horsetail Falls]] are part of the Oneonta Natural Area, designated for its "dramatic chasms" and unique flora.
+The trail begins at [[Horsetail Falls]], one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere. Plan on a little time before or after you hike to view and photograph the falls. The Horsetail Falls Trail #438 begins climbing two easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. Some tall old-growth trees scorched by the Eagle Creek Fire were cut down in the area, so the slope is more open than it used to be. Burned maples are coming back from their lignotubers, and thimbleberry, snowberry, trailing blackberry, and phacelia exhibit rampant growth in the wake of the fire. Soon, you'll pass your first trail junction, where the [[Horsetail Falls-Gorge Trail Junction|Gorge Trail #400]] heads east.
+Keep right at the junction and, after four more switchbacks, the trail levels out to traverse below basalt cliffs. You'll get views to the Oneonta Wetlands across the railroad. After 4/10 of a mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small ravine containing [[Ponytail Falls]]. In literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world as you pass an [[Horsetail Falls-Rock of Ages Trail Junction|unmaintained user trail]] that clambers up the roots of a Douglas-fir on your left. The main trail passes behind [[Ponytail Falls]] in a cavernous overhang eroded beneath a lava flow. Turning big-leaf maples and vine maples make this a beautiful hike in the autumn, specifically late October through early November. Forty yards beyond [[Ponytail Falls]] is the closure gate where you'll have to turn back.
-There are other hikes than can be added to this one, as well. Check out [[Horsetail Falls Loop Hike]] and [[Triple Falls Hike]]
 === Maps ===
-{{HikeMaps|latitude=45.58825|longitude=-122.07153}}
+{{HikeMaps|latitude=45.5896|longitude=-122.0683}}
+* Green Trails Maps: ''Bridal Veil, OR #428''
+* Green Trails Maps: ''Columbia River Gorge - West #428S''
+* Geo-Graphics: ''Trails of the Columbia Gorge''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management: ''Columbia River Gorge''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Zigzag Ranger District''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mt. Hood National Forest''
+* National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: ''Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area''
-=== Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
+=== Fees, Regulations, Facilties, etc. ===
-* Nothing required
+* Picnic tables, information kiosk
 {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}
-* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8] Ponytail Falls)
 {{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}}
-* (Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=141 here] to ask a question or start a conversation)
+* [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=17612  Rockslide on trail near Ponytail Fals]
+* [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11914  Cutting the switchbacks at Ponytail Falls]
 === Guidebooks that cover this hike ===
-* ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'', by Seabury Blair, Jr.
+* ''Oregon: The Creaky Knees Guide'' by Seabury Blair, Jr.
-* ''Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver'', by Douglas Lorain
+* ''Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
-* ''35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge'', by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavitch
-* ''Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes'', by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon'' by Adam Sawyer
-* ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
+* ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington'' by William L. Sullivan
-* ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon'' - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan
+* ''Trips and Trails: Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan
+* ''Columbia Gorge Getaways'' by Laura O. Foster
+* ''70 Virtual Hikes of the Columbia River Gorge'' by Northwest Hiker
+* ''Curious Gorge'' by Scott Cook
+* ''Portland Hikes'' by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman
+* ''Columbia River Gorge: 42 Scenic Hikes'' by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge'' by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''100 Oregon Hiking Trails'' by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''Short Trips and Trails: the Columbia Gorge'' by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
+* ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill
+* ''Pacific Northwest Hiking'' by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
+* ''Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest'' by Gregory A.Plumb
+* ''Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest'' by David L. Anderson
+* ''Canine Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan
 === More Links ===
+* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=29934  Horsetail Falls & Trail (#438) (USFS)]
+* [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/horsetail-falls-and-ponytail-falls  Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls (All Trails)]
+* [https://gorgefriends.org/hike-the-gorge/horsetail-falls-loop.html  Horsetail Falls Loop (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)]
+* [http://www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike16.html  Horsetail ~ Ponytail Falls Loop Hike (Northwest Hiker)]
+* [https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/these-columbia-river-gorge-hikes-reopened-on-green-friday/283-617197687  "These Columbia River Gorge hikes reopened on 'Green Friday'" (KGW8)]
+* [https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2016/05/horsetail_falls_trail_fatality.html  "Horsetail Falls hiking death a grim reminder of outdoor dangers" (Oregon Live)]
+* [http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/horsetail_falls.html  "Horsetail Falls, Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)]
+* [https://scenicusa.net/041212.html  Ponytail Falls (Scenic USA)]
+* [https://tjthornephotography.com/photo/remember-me/  Remember Me: Ponytail Falls (T.J. Thorne)]
+* [https://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall/Horsetail-Falls-4044  Horsetail Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)]
+* [https://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/waterfalls/pacific-northwest-horsetail-falls/  Horsetail Falls (World of Waterfalls)]
+* [http://www.waterfallswest.com/waterfall.php?id=horsetail-falls-columbia-river-gorge-132  Horsetail Falls (Waterfalls West)]
+* [https://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/waterfalls/pacific-northwest-ponytail-falls/  Ponytail Falls (Upper Horsetail Falls) (World of Waterfalls)]
+* [https://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall/Ponytail-Falls-4041 Ponytail Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)]
 === Contributors ===
 * [[User:Stevefromdodge|Stevefromdodge]] (creator)

Difference between revisions of "Ponytail Falls Hike"

Difference between revisions of "Ponytail Falls Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Revision as of 00:12, 28 September 2019

Contents

Hike Description

Maps

Fees, Regulations, Facilties, etc.

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

Contributors