Difference between revisions of "Ramona Falls Loop Hike"
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[[Category:Backpackable Hikes]] | [[Category:Backpackable Hikes]] | ||
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| + | [[Category:Mount Hood Area]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Waterfall Hikes]] | ||
[[Image:Ramonafalls.JPG|thumb|400px|Ramona Falls with bridge at base of falls]] | [[Image:Ramonafalls.JPG|thumb|400px|Ramona Falls with bridge at base of falls]] | ||
Revision as of 09:40, 12 February 2007
- Start point: Ramona Falls Trailhead
- End point: Ramona Falls
- Trail Log: Ramona Falls Hike/Log
- Distance: 6.9 miles round trip
- Hike Type: Loop
- Elevation gain: 1050'
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Seasons: Late Spring to early Fall
- (when the Sandy River footbridge is in place)
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
The Ramona Falls Hike is a favorite summer destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to it easy trail, relative proximity to Portland, and it's beautiful climax at the wondrous Ramona Falls. This hike describes and out-and-back trail with a slightly longer loop option.
The bridge over the Sandy River washed out after a thunderstorm that dropped about 2 inches of rain up above on the mountain, drowning someone that was crossing on it. If they ever replace this, be careful and stay off it if waterflow is high, washing up onto any part of the bridge. (observed August 2014)
Start south passed the information board. The first mile goes along the south side of the Sandy River. Be careful because the Sandy River can undercut the trail causing it to collapse. You'll shortly come a junction with the Sandy River Trail. Go straight here.
At about mile 1 is a bridge across the Sandy river. The bridge is put in about May and removed about October each year. This bridge occasionally gets washed out during the hiking season. Contact the Mount Hood Info Center to see if it's in currently. In the picture at right, there isn't much water in the stream, and it would be easy to cross without the bridge, but it can become huge and has killed people in the past, so be careful.
At about mile 1.5 is the junction with the River Side Ramona Falls Trail (#797) which goes right and the Creek Side Ramona Falls Trail (also #797) which goes left. I assume you take the River Side Trail and come back on the Creek Side Trail, but you can take either. This is also the official PCT (northbound goes left, southbound goes right) but most PCT hikers take a route by Ramona Falls.
At mile 2.8 on the River Side Trail is the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, which goes right. You can take this a short distance down to the Sandy River or continue up a long steep grade to Paradise Park and then further around the mountain (see Paradise Park from Ramona Falls Hike).
If you're not tired yet, there is a much longer trail option described here: Yocum Ridge Hike
To get back to the trailhead you can return the way you came, but for a minimal additional effort you enjoy a some different scenery by returning via the the Creekside Ramona Falls Trail. This option is .3 mile longer but is shadier and hugs the babbling creek for the first mile.
Cross the footbridge at the base of the falls and turn to your left, following Ramona Creek. You may notice the Timberline Trail diverts off to the right (This used to be a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail until being rerouted to avoid crossing the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River). After about a 1/4 mile, watch to the for a huge rock wall to your right. These bluffs are at the base of Yocum Ridge to the Northeast. If you weren't able to stop for lunch in the cool respite at Ramona Falls, you'll find plenty more opportunities on this pretty creek-side section. After about a mile your the trail veers away from the creek and heads North. Continue another .7 mile to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail.
As well traveled and wide as the trail is in this next section, it is easy to take a wrong turn and end up miles from your destination, so read the signage carefully and keep tabs with your map.
At the aforementioned junction the PCT goes off to the right (eventually crossing the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River and on up Bald Mountain). Instead, you will turn left, and continue on the Ramona Falls Trail. You'll pass another junction with a horse route and after about a half mile cross Ramona Creek again before merging back with the trail you came up on. Turn right here the way you came in.
Just after the merge you'll again cross the Sandy River, then head left about a mile back to the trailhead.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required
Trip Reports
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Related Discussions / Q&A
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
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Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)