Difference between revisions of "Umbrella Falls Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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[[Category:Mount Hood Area]] | [[Category:Mount Hood Area]] | ||
[[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mt Hood National Forest]] | ||
[[Category:Alpine Hikes]] | [[Category:Alpine Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] | [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] | ||
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[[Category:Easy Hikes]] | [[Category:Easy Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Family Hikes]] | [[Category:Family Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Loop Hikes]] |
[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
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* Hike Type: Lollipop loop | * Hike Type: Lollipop loop | ||
{{Distance|4.6 miles}} round-trip | {{Distance|4.6 miles}} round-trip | ||
| − | {{Elevation gain| | + | {{Elevation gain|840 feet}} |
| − | * High Point: 5, | + | * High Point: 5,270 feet |
{{Difficulty|Easy}} | {{Difficulty|Easy}} | ||
| − | * Seasons: Summer | + | * Seasons: Summer into fall |
* Family Friendly: Yes | * Family Friendly: Yes | ||
| − | * Backpackable: | + | * Backpackable: No |
| − | * Crowded: | + | * Crowded: Yes |
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | + | This family-friendly loop in the vicinity of [[Hood River Meadows]] on the slopes below the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area offers a display of wildflowers in July and August as well as a visit to two popular waterfalls, [[Umbrella Falls|Umbrella]] and [[Sahale Falls]]. It's a fine choice even when the upper slopes of [[Mount Hood]] are concealed by clouds. The route is described as an anticlockwise loop from the [[Elk Meadows Trailhead]]. | |
| − | The hike begins at the [[Elk Meadows Trailhead]]. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to a junction with the [[Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|Umbrella Falls Trail]]. Turn left here and immediately begin climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. Hood River Meadows, proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a [[Sahale Falls-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|junction]] with the trail to Sahale Falls at the 1.7 mile mark. You'll return to this junction to complete the loop, but first keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful [[Umbrella Falls]]. The footbridge across the East Fork makes for a nice lunch spot. Kids will have fun exploring the slow, clear pool below the bridge. Adults may notice ski litter that has floated down from the Meadows resort, just upstream, so a good | + | The hike begins at the [[Elk Meadows Trailhead]]. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to a junction with the [[Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|Umbrella Falls Trail]]. Turn left here and immediately begin climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. [[Hood River Meadows]], proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a [[Sahale Falls-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|junction]] with the trail to Sahale Falls at the 1.7 mile mark. You'll return to this junction to complete the loop, but first keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful [[Umbrella Falls]]. The footbridge across the East Fork makes for a nice lunch spot. Kids will have fun exploring the slow, clear pool below the bridge. Adults may notice ski litter that has floated down from the Meadows resort, just upstream, so a good Leave No Trace lesson is for kids is to carry a couple of pieces of litter out. |
From Umbrella Falls, backtrack 0.3 miles to the Sahale Falls junction, and turn right, following the trail through small meadows and open forest. After about a mile, the trail passes above Sahale Falls, with views into the falls and of the picturesque original highway bridge that arches below the falls. A scramble trail from the [[Sahale Falls-Sahale Falls Cutoff Trail Junction|a junction signed for 'Sahalie Falls']] drops to the base of [[Sahale Falls]] and then the old highway and bridge viewpoint for those inclined to take the side trip. The main route continues through forest, and soon reaches Hood River Meadows, proper, where the trail meets the old highway again. Resume the path through forest and a crossing of gurgling Meadows Creek for 0.3 miles to the trailhead at 3.6 miles. | From Umbrella Falls, backtrack 0.3 miles to the Sahale Falls junction, and turn right, following the trail through small meadows and open forest. After about a mile, the trail passes above Sahale Falls, with views into the falls and of the picturesque original highway bridge that arches below the falls. A scramble trail from the [[Sahale Falls-Sahale Falls Cutoff Trail Junction|a junction signed for 'Sahalie Falls']] drops to the base of [[Sahale Falls]] and then the old highway and bridge viewpoint for those inclined to take the side trip. The main route continues through forest, and soon reaches Hood River Meadows, proper, where the trail meets the old highway again. Resume the path through forest and a crossing of gurgling Meadows Creek for 0.3 miles to the trailhead at 3.6 miles. | ||
Revision as of 16:47, 14 October 2018
- Start point: Elk Meadows Trailhead
- End Point Umbrella Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Lollipop loop
- Distance: 4.6 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 840 feet
- High Point: 5,270 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Summer into fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This family-friendly loop in the vicinity of Hood River Meadows on the slopes below the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area offers a display of wildflowers in July and August as well as a visit to two popular waterfalls, Umbrella and Sahale Falls. It's a fine choice even when the upper slopes of Mount Hood are concealed by clouds. The route is described as an anticlockwise loop from the Elk Meadows Trailhead.
The hike begins at the Elk Meadows Trailhead. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to a junction with the Umbrella Falls Trail. Turn left here and immediately begin climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. Hood River Meadows, proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a junction with the trail to Sahale Falls at the 1.7 mile mark. You'll return to this junction to complete the loop, but first keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful Umbrella Falls. The footbridge across the East Fork makes for a nice lunch spot. Kids will have fun exploring the slow, clear pool below the bridge. Adults may notice ski litter that has floated down from the Meadows resort, just upstream, so a good Leave No Trace lesson is for kids is to carry a couple of pieces of litter out.
From Umbrella Falls, backtrack 0.3 miles to the Sahale Falls junction, and turn right, following the trail through small meadows and open forest. After about a mile, the trail passes above Sahale Falls, with views into the falls and of the picturesque original highway bridge that arches below the falls. A scramble trail from the a junction signed for 'Sahalie Falls' drops to the base of Sahale Falls and then the old highway and bridge viewpoint for those inclined to take the side trip. The main route continues through forest, and soon reaches Hood River Meadows, proper, where the trail meets the old highway again. Resume the path through forest and a crossing of gurgling Meadows Creek for 0.3 miles to the trailhead at 3.6 miles.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Port-a-potty, information kiosk, picnic table at Elk Meadows Trailhead
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Umbrella Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Umbrella Falls
More Links
Page Contributors
- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)