Ramona Falls loop hike- Mount Hood's "breathe easier" west side
Details
By request, this easy but unforgettable route will be a perfect match for next Friday's sunny, mild weather, Good thing that easy ≠ lame, because this namesake waterfall is a sight to behold! And air quality should be better on the west side of Mount Hood.
Note: There is a long log crossing (see photo) over a swift river, encountered twice, included on this otherwise easy, upbeat paced Mount Hood hike. I've read that easier crossings have popped up since then, but no guarantees.
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Difficulty: Easy (Though I've seen people get freaked out by that river crossing), but we're gonna keep up the pace
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Distance: 7.1 mile loop
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Elevation gain: 1100 ft
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Hiking time: 3-4 hours (or less, depending on group pace), plus quick breaks for photos and lunch
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Drive time: 1 hour, 15 minutes (88 miles) from Portland ; For example, from Gateway Transit Center
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Dogs: Only if you are confident about carrying them over the river crossing
The plan:
Our hike begins at the Ramona Falls trailhead. We will follow the Ramona Falls Trail and soon cross the Sandy River. The bridge was washed away in previous years, so we will cross the Sandy River by any means necessary—logs, rock hopping, etc. Water level is low, thus increasing our options.
The rest of the hike is easy and pretty straight forward. We will merge onto the Riverside Ramona Falls Trail #797 and follow that to the spectacular falls.
After a snack/lunch break at the spectacular falls, we will return via the Creekside Ramona Falls Trail #797 and eventually cross the Sandy River again to complete the loop. No guarantees about our return time to Portland, but my expectation is early afternoon.
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Pace: My preferred hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5 to 3.5 mph when not running), but this is a casual hike and I welcome members of all reasonable walking speeds to join us. Just make sure that you are comfortable crossing a river. We will take short breaks as needed, including a short snack/lunch break at Ramona Falls.
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Gas (if organizing a carpool): 88 miles RT from Gateway Transit Center; $8 suggested donation to drivers
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Bring: 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, layers of non-cotton clothing, a camera, and of course, I recommend that you always carry the, um, "ELEVEN" Essentials:
- Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
- Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight w/ extra batteries)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Knife/tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wilderness.
- Your Spidey sense
PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them