Difference between revisions of "Ramona Falls Loop Hike"
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== Info == | == Info == | ||
Revision as of 00:54, 23 December 2006
Contents |
Info
- Start point: Ramona Falls Trailhead
- End point: Ramona Falls
- Distance: 3.3 miles using the river side trail, 3.6 miles using the creek side trail
- Elevation gain: 1050'
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: spring, summer, fall
- Family Friendly: yes
- Backpackable: yes
- Crowded: yes during summer and weekends
Hike Description
The Ramona Falls trail is one of the easier, more popular hikes in the Mount Hood area. Ramona Falls is very scenic and makes a great destination.
Start South from the trailhead past 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.
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. It's possible to cross the Sandy River without the bridge. People have been killed crossing this river so be careful.
At about mile 1.2 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.
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.
Assuming you stay left on the Ramona Falls Trail, at mile 3.3 you reach Ramona Falls at 3450' elevation. "The only way to describe Ramona Falls is 'cathedralesque'...what a beautiful spot!" to quote jeffstat in a trip report. There is a large area at the base of the falls in a grove of trees. This is a cool spot in the summer for a bite of lunch. There will probably be some other people there also, but it's a large enough area to not be on top of each other.
If you're backpacking, there are many places to camp on the trail between Ramona Falls and the Sandy River. In the summer it can be pretty busy. People that are hiking around the mountain typically camp out one night at Ramona Falls. But, especially towards the Sandy River you can probably find a spot not on top of others.
To get back to the trailhead, take the Creekside Ramona Falls Trail. Start on the bridge across Ramona Creek at the base of the falls.
At the far end of the bridge, the Timberline Trail takes off to the right. This used to also be the Paciic Crest Trail. The PCT was rerouted because of the difficult crossing of the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River. Stay left on the Ramona Falls Trail. It's 3.6 miles to the trailhead.
The trail follows Ramona Creek. There is a huge rock wall to your right (Northeast). There are many places to stop for lunch if you didn't do so at Ramona Falls. In the summer, this section of trail will be fairly cool.
At about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail veers off of Ramona Creek. At 2 miles from the trailhead is the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail which goes right. It goes a short distance to a bridge across the Muddy Fork. A little further on the Ramona Falls Trail is another junction with a horse route across the Muddy Fork of the PCT. Stay left on the Ramona Falls Trail.
At about 1.4 miles from the trailhead, the Creek Side Ramona Falls Trail crosses Ramona Creek. At 1.2 miles from the trailhead is the junction with the River Side Ramona Falls Trail and the Sandy River Trail. Stay right on the Sandy River Trail and go back the way you came to the trailhead.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
Northwest Forest Pass required
Trip Reports
(Click here to add your own)
Related Discussions / Q&A
(Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Title - 1st Edition, by Author
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)