Stunning second half. Did the loop and was very happy we didn't double back. The falls are gorgeous, the river crossing was pretty easy this time of year. I found it a pleasant hike, we clocked 7.5 miles. Plenty of parking. read more

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Ramona's falls is magical. It's a long hike, but easy to hike and worth it. Crossing the river was not as bad once you figure out an easy way to cross it. read more

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Moderately easy 7+ mile loop. Got there just before 8am and there were 8 cars in the lot. 3 hours later there was no parking. Early! Always get there early! The river crossing is a real thing, but I saw all levels of age/fitness/size/canine/hooman making it, so you can too! Today there was one log. Not a selection of logs, just one. And it was alone, there was no log acting as a railing. You're in the air, friends. Or in the river, but at least it's only 1 mile back to your car in icy clothing if you tumble in. I slid across on my ass, shameless! On the way back I slowly balanced my way across. Made it. So can you! You will be rewarded. The falls are in my Oregon top 5, and I've been to Silver Falls so now you know. The walk is through old growth, lots of storm down trees but they've all been cut so they aren't blocking the trail. It was cold today, in the 40s, so the usual advice about layering holds. Even on a nice day you'll be in shade a lot of the way. Boots if you have 'em. Oh and hey! Today the parking lot trashcan was full and overflowing. If I had remembered to bring a big trash bag, which I often do, I would have picked it up. If you're feeling love for the outdoors, will you consider bringing a big gladd trashbag just in case? Mother earth thanks you. read more

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We have done this trail several times and will probably do it again. It is not hard and not s.uper easy. The terrain and sights change frequently so there is variety. The trail is almost always spacious enough to let others pass and social distance. The payoff is amazing: What gorgeous falls!!! Things to note: You need to register at the "Stop" sign that you come to early in the hike. Please do this or face a potential fine. Crossing the river is one of the hard spots as you need to cross on logs. If you are nervous, keep your bodyweight low and look for the logs that kind of have a makeshift "railing". The first half of this hike in to the falls is pretty exposed so it can get hot in the sun. The second half is more wooded so be a good Pacific Northwesterner and bring your layers.:-) There is hike-in camping right near the falls. First come to gran some space if you are backpacking. What a great place to set up camp. Get there early. The parking lot is huge but we have started around 7am or 8am and by the time we are leaving, there are tons of people streaming in. Bring a picnic. There is a lot of space at the base of the falls to take a break and truly take it all in. Enjoy!! read more

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My main purpose in writing this review is to give folks some recent information about what the Sandy River crossing is like and save them the misery that I went in through reading multiple resources to try to figure out how doable crossing the river actually is. Everything l read gave varying accounts of the difficulty and conditions, leading me to just shrug my shoulders and decide that I'd have to see if for myself and turn back if needed. Once you get to the crossing, you'll see a vast amount of different sizes and shapes of logs spanning the river(see pictures). This laid to rest the misconception that I had from my pre-hike reading which seemed to imply there are times when there are no logs at all, and you may to have to cross on foot. This seems very unlikely given the amount of logs that were present. From there, you basically size up the river and figure out where the best point for you to cross would be based on how in shape you are and/or how good your balance is. For those are confident in their balance, there are larger logs where you can walk across one foot in front of the other. For those more faint of heart, there's also multiple logs that you can walk that have an adjacent log higher that you can hold on to for support. From there, you can go straight across from your initial log, you can diagonally to whichever log appeals to you, there are rocks where the water is shallow and even tiny islands of shore in the midst of the river where the water doesn't flow. There are dozens of possibilities and you can go at your own pace to find a crossing that works for you. The take-home message here is that if you want to do this hike, don't let this crossing dissuade you. As someone who is far from being in great shape, I think some of the reviews about needing to be are overblown. Now that I've gotten out what I wanted to about the crossing, let me scale back some to the hike in general. There's a large parking lot at the trailhead and where to go from there is pretty well marked. There is no cell service(at least for AT&T) leading to the end of my perfect streak of checking in to places I review on Yelp, hehe. I went in May and although we did use bug spray the amount of bugs flying around was minimal compared to what what some of the other reviews describe. The hike itself is gorgeous, lots of beautiful scenery to look at throughout. There's plenty of shade from the trees that make the heat bearable. Once you start getting close to the falls, you'll first hear it, then once it comes in sight you can feel the atmosphere change to the most pleasant cool breeze. Then you see the falls itself - a breathtaking testament of God's creation. I could sit and watch it for hours. There's a bridge at the bottom where you can take pics and a muddy knoll across from where a tripod can be set up. There's multiple spots where you can fill up your water bottle with the crystal clear and cold water from the falls. As others have mentioned, take the alternate trail on the other side of the bridge to go back. It's the same distance but has different views. Took us about 4 hours to do total (10 guys at a leisurely pace) and are we ever glad we did. Highly recommend this hike! read more

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Great hike and pretty easy considering it's only a 1200ish foot elevation. The only challenging part about this hike is crossing the river but that just takes a little bit of balance. The scent and a scenery are hard to beat! It smelled so fresh and the views of Mt Hood can't be beat. Once you cross the river be sure to find the path to the left. We got a little turned around and started to head right, thankfully finding our way later to the actually path but it can be a little confusing depending on where you come up after crossing the river. read more

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I did this hike to Ramona Falls on April 15th, 2017--technically springtime but really still the tail-end of the long 2016/2017 winter. That said, there was lots of snow which meant lots of trudging through and taking unintentional deep steps into the ice. This effectively added at least another hour to our hike which should've only taken 3 hours. What could've been a 3-hour stroll ended up being a pretty challenging snow hike without the help of snow shoes. Albeit, the whole trek was worth it because, aside from the beautiful waterfall and great view of Mt. Hood, it felt like it was snowing at the waterfall area with snowflakes falling down from the tree branches and as you look up you can see the sun peaking through the treetops. It was one of those moments where you just had to be there to understand how pretty it was. NOTE: After you cross the river on one of the logs, the trail gets confusing--after you get up on the other ledge, make you way to the LEFT to see a stone path leading you where to go. This cost us about 20 minutes of being unsure where to go. Great hike! Highly recommended if you're looking for a doable and somewhat challenging hike. read more

Ramona Falls - Hiking Near Me

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Yessss. What a perfect hike! About 7 miles round trip, perfect for a Sunday morning. Exactly what I needed. I think my favorite part about this hike is every .25-.5 of a mile, the terrain changed. Everything around you changed. It was so cool. Even though it's a lollipop hike, you'll never get sick of what you see. The hike is generally rated as moderate. And as terrain goes, that's more than fair. The first half of the hike is at a very low incline. Not too tiring at all; the kind of thing even your most out of shape could finish. However. And this is a huge HOWEVER. So huge that I implore you to read this next paragraph before you commit to this hike. The Sandy river has no bridge. Sure, you've read that online. Sure, you've crossed lil bodies of water that have low but fast moving streams. This is real. What you've read is real. You'll need to cross the sandy river on logs that are very unstable. You need to be in shape, you need to have great balance, you need to be an experienced hiker. You need these things. Trust me. The Sandy is about 1 mile into the hike. Of the people who made it to that point, about 25% actually crossed the river, and all of them in very good shape. I made it, sure. But I go on at least one day hike a week, and do 30 minutes of hard cardio every day. If you don't meet that bar, don't even try. I don't say that to discourage you from exercise, I say that because so many people wasted their time getting to that 1 mile in just to turn back. That's a huge bummer. If you're part of the 25% that made it, congratulations! Kiss or high five whoever you're with that you didn't lose your balance on that log. Then, make your way to the falls. You've got a ways to go, still. Once you make it there, the falls will show their glory and you'll feel even more accomplished. Be sure to not turn back; instead, do the lollipop. The small loop adds no extra distance and is perhaps the most scenic part of the hike. My final pieces of advice: don't bring a dog, and do bring a buddy. A dog will not make it across the falls no matter what. And there's no cell signal. You could easily lose your balance and break a limb, for that reason, make sure there's a companion with you who can get flee to safety if necessary! read more

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We went to Ramona Falls on Sat 7/6/13, it's in the Mt Hood National Forest and you really need to follow the directions on the website or ask the ranger because it's in the middle of nowhere & you might not find it otherwise. You need to get a Pass that's like $5 check the website, my friend's Senior Pass for the NP worked for us. It's a long 7-mile loop. Sign in for the FREE Wilderness Permit - someone told us it's just for statistical purposes & they don't go looking for you. Continue up the trail, then do it Clockwise at the Ramona Falls Trailhead (turn Left where they sign says PCT/Ramona Falls). Lots of moderate uphill climbing, not too hard. Had to cross a Footbridge over Sandy River, then about 6 more bridges. Ramona Falls is beautiful! You have to see it for yourself. Lots of Rhododendrons along the trail too when we went 7/6/13. Took the other way back to finish the loop. Two pit toilets in the parking lot. read more

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See snow in May and the most unique waterfalls!! Want to experience Twilight, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter in real life for about 2 hours? Go here!!! And go with friends, it does get slightly creepy, in a cool and beautiful way. Do your research on hiking websites in OR because you will get lost! Bring a detailed description of the trail so you can decide if you want to do the loop or wander a different path like we did on your own. We stopped at least 3x trying to figure out which route to go because the trail is not extremely intuitive. Even the drive to head of the trail itself wasn't intuitive. My friends and I were freaking out that we mother nature called our names by the time we got to the large parking lot (if you get my drift). The entire trip was worth it. Good elevation with flat grounds. Easy trail for all ages. Rivers, a small bridge, mossy patches covered in snow, dirt ground with loose rocks that don't hurt your feet, fresh sense of cleaned new growth with a slight dampness of a Northwest forest. The height allows you to overlook the mountains and see the other side covered in frosty snow. The final stretch, you'll walk through a wooden "fence" to come to an open space with tall evergreen trees, slightly darker than the trail, and the brightest thing you'll see is the waterfall. Mesmerizing! Amazing hike. Unique. Go with friends so you can get lost together. ^_^ Ps. Thanks L.C. for printing out the detailed directions, or else we would've never made it. read more

Ramona Falls - Amazing! - Hiking Near Me

Such a great hike, not too strenuous but still will get your heart pumping, great views of what I think is Mt. Hood if it's a clear day, shady most of the hike even if it's sunny, FANTASTIC and unique waterfall at the end (totally worth!), and not a boring hike at all. Did this hike on back to back weekends in June (that's how much I liked it, I took 2 different sets of friends here). If you're coming from Portland (about a 1.5-2 hr drive), there's a left turn you have to make off the main freeway (you'll know what I'm talking about) before you start entering that part of the journey of getting to any trailhead that has you driving windy roads up to the base of whatever you're hiking. There's a small shop here (I think it's called Zig-Zag Lodge) - if you're trying to be safe, this is the last establishment you'll pass where you can purchase a $5 day pass for hiking to Ramona falls. The first time I hiked to Ramona falls, I totally missed this detail and just kept driving to the trailhead, didn't buy a day pass and risked it but didn't get ticketed/fined so maybe it's not as big of a deal (it's your car, your decision). If you have a national parks pass you don't need to purchase a day pass. You can also google ahead of time I think to purchase one, or google where else they sell passes if you want to go to a place closer to where you're coming from. There are lots of potholes in the path that leads up to the trailhead, so drive slow (I def took a few big pothole dives with my prius lol). There's porta-potties at the trailhead but they're pretty nasty (you could do it though, just make sure you bring your own hand sanitizer). Lots of parking available. The hike is about 3.5 miles to the falls, and you take a different path back to the trailhead (you'll see a bridge in front of the waterfalls when you get there, and you take that trail back - it's more advisable to take that path back to the trailhead instead of going back the way you came, just because going downhill the way you came could be more treacherous). The trail to the waterfall is extremely easy to follow - there's an area before you cross the river where rocks have been set up to pave your correct path to get to the river. You'll cross the river on logs, the bridge got destroyed a while ago and they're not planning on rebuilding it - the river is completely crossable when it's low, just be careful and make sure the logs you're stepping on are stable - there's one section where there's a lot of logs all fallen near each other - I used that one because you can hold on to one log while you walk along another - people get creative and make their own paths, or they just walk through the river - dogs do this all the time. It's not a huge steep incline all the way - it's a variable hike where some parts (especially the beginning) are level, and then there's some steady inclines. You gain about 1000 ft over the 3.5 miles to the waterfall. I went on Saturdays around 9am, and it wasn't too crowded (you'll see people, but you won't have to run into them or struggle getting out of the way). Once you get to the waterfall, it feels amazing! it's cool and breezy and a great place to snack/ eat lunch. Great little bridge to take pics in front of the waterfall, or you can walk right to the base of the waterfall itself. I was literally obsessed with it, I didn't want to leave! (peep pics) It's kind of a different kind of waterfall, with all these rocks in different shapes and sizes. The hike took me about 1.5 hours up and 45 mins down, but this was with a lot of breaks to talk with my friends and take pictures and mess with my friend's go-pro. There are some rocky areas but my friends did this hike in Nike frees and they were fine. 7 mile round trip, super fun, literally the hiking is what made me fall in love with the PNW. Super diverse greenery for the eyes, a great view of the mountain - you really just need to look at my pictures because I can't describe it. read more

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PNW, you've done it again. You never disappoint with your hikes. And Ramona Falls was just absolutely stunning. With the water cascading down, it was just gorgeous. I could sit and stare at it for hours and be perfectly happy. LOCATION/PARKING: About 1 to 1.5 hours from Downtown Portland, finding the trail head using Google Maps GPS was a breeze. Just note there's lots of potholes and some blind turns leading up to the trail head so be careful of speeding! Ramona Falls is actually located in the Mount Hood National Forest. Parking is in an open lot. We went mid-morning and found parking just fine. HIKE: What a great loop! I would estimate the hike to be somewhere around 7 miles round trip. We took a detour to one of the side trails for a little so that's why I'm guessing on the mileage. The elevation gain wasn't much (1,056 ft per AllTrails) and felt pretty flat for the most part. The terrain changes throughout the hike which keeps those who have short attention spans attentive and curious. At some point you do have to cross the river. I guess there used to be a bridge there but no longer. There's plenty of logs to cross. My recommendation is to go a little further upstream and cross where there are more logs (so you can hold onto one with your hands and place your feet on another.) Great view of Mount Hood right after the river crossing. Unfortunately with all the haze from the recent fires, we couldn't view it that well but still something to look at. There are LOTS of these little flying bugs so bug spray is good to keep. The falls are absolutely breathtaking so soak it in! Signs are pretty obvious! PASS: You need a Northwest Forest Pass. They do not have it available at the trail head. A day pass is $5.00 and an annual pass is $30. Go to the website to find a location that sells near you or the trail head. Lots of people didn't bother with it and if a ranger doesn't come, it's nothing to worry about. But I've also been on trails where I've seen them ticket cars without a valid pass. Better to be safe than sorry! https://www.wta.org/go-outside/passes TIPS: 1) Pack lots of water, even if you don't think you'll need it. While you're at it, throw in a couple snacks too. 2) Bring bug spray. Nasty little bugs flying EVERYWHERE. 3) Don't forget your Northwest Forest Pass. Last thing you want is a ticket on your vacation. 4) Have lots of fun! read more

Ramona Falls - Ramona Falls. Pure beauty without too much of a crowd. Love it! - Hiking Near Me

This little day hike has a little bit of everything for everyone: lush mossy forest stretches that recall your time in the Olympic rainforest, dry arid silty legs reminiscent of the Sierras & grand misty waterfalls straight out of a Chinese watercolor. The seasonal bridge is still out for the count--according to the forestry service it may take them a while to put the bridge back in place due to budget cuts. Not to fear, those without acrophobia can cross the Sandy River on sturdy yet bouncy logs. If you bring your Tevas with you [read: your pooch is too chicken to go across a log] there are shallow areas where you can cross on foot/paw. Be prepared to share cuz this is a "must do" hike according to most resources [Translation: sometimes it feels like a highway on the trail as all this wilderness beauty appeals Tom, Dick, Harry, Suzy & Fido as well.]. For the most part, the trail is welled signed once you make it across the river. At the fork for the Ramona Falls loop, take the scenic left route which has lush greenery & parallels bubbling Ramona creek at times giving you tantalizing glimpses of the creek with misty rapids. The trail ascends steadily with an elevation gain 1000ft to the falls but it's gently spread out over several miles so you can leave the oxygen tanks & sherpas at basecamp. The total loop is 7.1 miles. The loop trail intersects with the Pacific Crest Scenic trail, Bald Mountain trail, & the Yocum Ridge trail so setting up camp would allow you to do multiple day hikes (FYI: no camping allowed within 500ft of the falls). Directions: From PDX go east on Highway 26 toward Mt. Hood for 42 miles. At Zigzag, turn left onto East Lolo Pass Road (don't blink cuz you'll miss it). After 4.2 miles turn right onto paved Road 1825 (you'll pass a large camp parking area on the right just before the turnoff), then in 0.7 miles turn right across the Sandy River bridge. Go 1.8 miles along Road 1825, and then left onto Road 100 for 0.5 miles to a large parking area at road's end--signage for the different hikes & campgrounds are at forks. Don't forget your northwest forest pass cuz it will prevent you from getting a ticket & also helps the forest service maintain trails, roads, bridges, campgrounds...for you, Tom, Dick, Harry, Suzy, & Fido. Star legend: 1: Gorgeous scenic trail with lush forest, picturesque river & creek, & zen falls. 2: Easy access from PDX. 3: Ample parking for your commune with nature so no need to mow down that purple Mini angling for a spot [hinthint.]. 4: Lots of great spots to nosh & canoodle al fresco. 5: Good for higher primates & pooches of varied athletic ability. read more

So beautiful but was so hard to get to it and then back to my car! Maybe it's my fault since I went in March and didn't realize how much snow there still would be. We dressed in light clothing and just regular Nike shoes. It started off easy with no sign of snow. Then out of no where it was knee deep. When we got there we were cold.. and wets but it was beautiful. Then the way back, the snow was waist deep. No joke. It was horrible. I'm a tough cookie and have been on hikes three times as long and rated harder, but the snow really killed me. It's my fault I should have done my research before. But I honestly had a great time regardless. My hiking partner, not so much. I promised them it was going to be an easy hike, and it was their first hike as well. I don't think they will be going hiking anytime soon :p read more

Ramona Falls - Hiking Near Me

A great, mostly easy 8-mile loop hike.  You walk about 4 miles one way and then are rewarded by Ramona Falls, a beautiful, mossy, lush, shaded waterfall and place to rest.  Then you walk back. One half of this loop takes you along the Pacific Crest Trail, and is lovely but kind of boring.  The other half is the official Ramona Falls hike and is the kind of lush green forest you'd expect out of a tale full of magic and fairies and ogres.  Go the PCT half first, and then be rewarded not just by the Falls themselves but by this beautiful trail.   *Caution* Near the start of this walk, you have to ford a small river, and there's no bridge.  There are, however, large-ish trees fallen across, and you need to walk or kind of ass-crawl over them.  This isn't hard, but it's not for people with bad balance or any kind of infirmity. read more

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My favorite hike I've done! Really enjoyed this one. I recommend taking the path to the left over the one to the right (alternative). Lots to see this way and you can loop around to come back on the other path which is a lot less scenic but a straighter shot back to the parking lot. Just a little over 7 miles round trip. The hike really had everything- very diverse scenery. Caves would have really topped it off but I can't get too greedy. Recommend this hike to anyone that lives in or visits Oregon! Note: The site we used to find the falls said that you can purchase a parking pass at the trailhead. This site was obviously incorrect or outdated. We had to turn around and head back into town to buy pass which was a bummer and took about a half an hour to do so. Google it to find a location that sells these before heading up. read more

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This 7 miles loop trail is good for an exercise and offers a very rewarding, beautiful falls as a trail goal. The first 1-1.5 mile of a trail was somewhat of a meh...it was quite boring walking through sand-like trail and without much to see around the place. When you get to a split, definitely choose to go on a trail that arrive at a trail from a left rather than the right side though. The right side of a trail approaching the falls was just not very scenic and can be really hot, especially if you are taking a hike mid day. The left side of a trail approaching Ramona falls, on the other hand, is more lush and more scenic. It's much more fun hiking through that path than the other one (although you can just do a full circle loop so you get to see every thing in the loop anyways). Ramona falls was especially pretty. It's prettier than Multnomah falls in my opinions (especially with so many small strands of water making this fall very pretty!). Be aware that the trail will probably take you 2.5-4 hours depending on how fit you are..but it's definitely a good trail to for a hike, especially in the morning when not so many people are there yet. No need to bring hiking pole if you are somewhat fit and have no problem walking long distance. It's not a steep trail but is one that requires more endurance (from heat/distance). Bring the Pacific Northwest Pass, too...you'll need it to park/hike there! read more

WARNING On August 12, a temporary bridge collapsed and one hiker was swept away. The falls are closed until the bridge is repaired. Take notice..... The bridges here are called 'temporary' for a reason. Be careful and do buy a park pass or use your Senior Pass if you are over 62. Then enjoy the beautiful sights. read more

Great Hike, Great Nature, And Nice Falls This is a don't miss while in the area kind of place. Wonderful trails for happy hiking time. The little wooden bridges are outstanding as well. At the beginning you cross logs to get across the river which was cool.... The falls and the restful area surrounding the falls are cool and everything is just really nice here. Now that I am back home I miss this area greatly as t was so beautiful and refreshing! The trails here are so nice they even make great running trails and since there is so much shade from the tree canopy you can go even when it is hot outside. The pacific northwest is pretty amazing! PS: Getting here is easy from one direction where there are signs but that is if you are coming from the south. If you take the long way in down the winding dirt roads there are no signs racing this way and thus you may find yourself all the way to the highway wondering how you missed it altogether. read more

At 8.44 miles and just shy of a 1200 foot elevation gain, Ramona Falls is a great hike for almost any fitness level. And the number of cars parked at the trailhead makes that clear. Don't be deterred! The trail is a loop so hiking it without feeling like part of a herd is easily accomplished. The falls are the only spot you'll likely see your fellow hikers as peeps tend to congregate and eat lunch there. Enjoy the beauty of them (the falls, not your fellow hikers, though if you want to admire both I imagine it's acceptable) for a minute or two, snap a few photos, and then continue on the trail. After about a quarter mile you'll have your own mini Ramona Falls all to yourself and a great selection of moss-covered logs to sit on and eat your lunch. Some Notes: 1. Pack your Northwest Forest Pass as it's required at the trailhead. 2. There are portable toilets at the trailhead but not TP. 3. There is no bridge to get you across the Sandy River; you'll need to cross on a log or get wet. 4. Immediately after crossing the river it's easy to lose the trail; stop and look for small cairns and follow them back to the trail. 5. If you're driving from Portland, you're going to pass Joe's Donuts in Sandy... just sayin'. read more

My sister and I went on a hike to the Ramona Falls last week and it was great. There was wildfire at Eagle Creek but it really didn't impact us. Anyways the hike is just over 7 miles round trip if you did the full loop. Most guides tell you to go straight up and loop around to Ramona Creek. I'd actually suggest the reverse since it's a prettier walk up to the falls, which by that time you are super tired and you can then straight shot it down hill back to the trailhead. Also, use caution crossing the Sandy River as there is no bridge. Just find a big log you can walk across. They say you can wade through but the water is hella cold - I wouldn't do it. The falls is quite lovely and they there is a nice sitting area. Just watch your food because the chipmunks will steal from you when you're not paying attention. read more

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I've been to Ramona Falls 5 times in the past 8 years. It's my favorite waterfall hike in Oregon. Plan 4 1/2 to 5 hours to do the loop comfortably which includes sitting down for a 15 min. lunch at the falls. Most trail books rate this hike as fairly easy to moderate. My husband and I just went this past Saturday (6/7/14) and did the loop in 4 1/2 hours. I've done it both ways (loop and just hiking along the creek the entire way). Creekside is the BEST just as the others have recommended. I decided to go in June this time--not as hot and no bugs. We took our 2 yo. Golden Retriever, Reese's. It's a very dog friendly trail with multiple places for them to drink along the creek up and back from the falls. Saturdays are the busiest. If you have the option, I'd recommend going in the middle of the week. You must get a NW Pass for this trailhead. There are none to purchase at the trailhead. You have to get one beforehand. You can pick up one a Fred Meyers, REI, the ranger station, and multiple other local businesses. You will not be disappointed with this hike! It is worth the trip!! Be sure to bring your camera. There will be opportunities to take pictures of the Sandy River, Mt. Hood, foot bridges, and of course Ramona Falls. read more

In the summer months, it gets hot on this trail. If you like horse shit, biting black flies, and rude hikers, then you should be ok. The parking lot was crammed with 20+ cars. Like so many destinations in the Mt.Hood area, the trails are heavily used. I don't understand why equestrians insist upon shitting on nature?? When my family and I reached the hidden spectacle, the coup de grace, there was a big pile of horse shit not 10 feet from the pristine falls. WTF!!!!! Maybe I should open a food cart called....."Mr Eds" read more

This hike made me feel like I was in a Twilight movie, or better yet a Chronicles of Narnia movie. It was something else. If you don't feel like hiking, watch both movies, and skip to the parts where the characters are in the wilderness and/or snow. Yea, that's exactly you'd feel on this hike, minus the vampires and wizards. I didn't manage to do the loop Cam T. mentioned, but I did get to Ramona Falls &do an out&back. This is for several reasons. 1) The trails split at various areas, and even coming back the way we came from, my buddies and I almost got lost a few times. 2) It was snowing! There were 2 inches of snow, and it covered up a lot of the trail. This happened at the end of May too. Oh silly Oregon weather! 3) There were places that the trail abruptly ended, and we had to wander about looking for the next part of the trail. It happened once when we crossed the sandy river bridge (yes the bridge is back and intact!). Luckily one of my buddies discovered a bunch of man-made stacked rocks across the sandy bridge. The rocks clever marked where the ramona falls trail continued. 4) We were FREEZING- we weren't dressed for snow- so getting lost on the way back is not an option. 5) We were craving korean hot pot, and that took over all our reason &senses. Once we figured out where we were going, the hike was amazing. The part I hiked was pretty flat. And the entire hike only took us 3 hrs (we did about 6 miles). Ramona Falls itself is breath-taking and gorgeous!! We froze our fingers off by taking a bazillion pictures of the waterfall. There were also a few viewpoints along the way that gave a good view of the sandy river. I heard that if you continued a few miles past Ramona Falls, you get a good view of Mt. Hood. There is also a large campsite near the trail head for the campers out there. They also don't have a drop box for money for a temporary wilderness pass like some other trails. So in this case you need the wilderness pass ahead of time. You can pick one up at REI before you head out! go go gooooooo! read more

This was my first hike in the Mt. Hood Wilderness, and I have to say it was almost a perfect hike. It's an easy 7 mile loop with limited elevation gain and trails the follow along beautiful forest streams. The jewel at the end of the path is the Ramona Falls, a majestic waterfall that looks like champagne being poured down a tower of glasses. The trail has two parts. One is an arid and hot trail the follows along the a glacial stream and the other follows along a cool and shaded creek that leads up to the falls. This is a great way to practice for some of the more difficult hikes in the area. read more

Though I cannot imagine making this hike again, for the waterfall at the end.... it was definitely a good use of a Saturday. I suppose waterfalls, like coffee/pad Thai/pizza/etc..., are all wide open to subjective claims of greatness. But in my estimation, this waterfall is on the lower end of my top 20. It's clearly pretty and worth seeing, but I'm a fan of refreshing pools of water that I may jump into at the bottom of my waterfalls. This one lacks such a thing. You can get your feet wet... maybe lay flat enough to submerge your torso... but it'll take some doing. The hike was pretty easy on this 90 degree day. I had plenty of water (32oz) and I recommend you do the same. I can see (and did) how this might be hard for some folks though... so keep in mind that "hard" and "easy" are also very subjective terms. I saw folks who appeared to be dying just 30 mins from the falls, and I saw folks jogging to & from the falls. I'd say this hike is probably a moderately difficult hike for most folks of a typically sedentary lifestyle. It combines a little bit of altitude, and a little bit of directional awareness. The trail IS mostly marked & clear, except for one short stretch where you follow a rock outlined portion bit just out of the river crossing. Aside from that, there are factors that change with the seasons and weeks of the year... I'm sure the river crossing is much less casual in the rainy season, and the energy sapping sunshine and need for water is much less necessary in the winter months. My river crossing experience was a total breeze. I saw most hikers crossing a log and staying out of the river entirely, so that was a possibility on my trip. But don't assume there will be a log there 1 week or month from now. My advice to you, should you actually cross the river by wading it... take off your shoes first! I left mine on (no socks) and didn't even consider that the river is basically a flow of sand churned up and blasting downstream as fast as the river can carry it--including straight inside your shoes! And there's no "fresher" water to rinse your shoes and feet off for some time. So that left me to hike the remainder of the hike with plenty of sand in my shoes and between my toes.. also leading to some nice little raw spots on the tops of my toes and sides of my heels. The falls were a nice treat an hour later. The parking lot on my visit was completely packed, leading to parking alongside the roadway in. To say that this is a popular recreation area seems to me an understatement. All in all... this was a great sweat! I enjoyed the hike itself, even if not so much the waterfall. The flies were unreal! That's the only portion of this experience that sucked. I had bug spray on and still had what seemed like a ceaseless wave of flies to battle off for better than half the hike... not so bad in the lower/beginning portion. These lil stinkers bite too. I feel like I could be categorized as a whiner, except that many others I passed by were cursing the pests also. If you can hike another fall... do it. But if you must see this one, don't mind there being no pool to wade into, and love biting flies... hike Ramona Falls. read more

I enjoyed this hike a lot. It took 4 miles to get to the good stuff, but it was worth it. The river was awesome, and so was Ramona Falls. The way back seemed much cooler after that fall as well. I had a great time here and will return!! I stopped at the Ranger Station right across from the turn off for they have one page maps of the hike, which saved me from carrying a book. Highly recommend the hike though. read more

Great hike. It's about 3.5 miles each way, 7 miles round trip. This hike is pretty much flat, which makes it easy for hikers of all ages, regardless of experience level. read more

Ramona Falls - Ramona Falls - Hiking Near Me

The beginning of this trail is pretty straight forward till you reach the river where you have to walk through a log to cross the river which is pretty exciting. After that you have to climb to the top again and there's different sections from where you can climb. We climbed where there was rope and after that you have to go left not right because there's nothing there. This is the part where you can easily get confused or lost so make sure to go left and then at some point you'll see an arrow on the floor made out of branches that we decided to make because you don't see those arrows till you walk in more, but how do you know if your going the right way right? So we made an extra arrow to help people find their way. So basically it's left and then your headed towards the back and you'll see more arrows and then you'll be on the trail again. It's a pretty far stretch all the way to the falls, but definitely worth it. read more

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Finally have a chance to review this hike ... which I completed back in early November ... WHOOPS! :) Despite it being around 2 hours away from Portland, I would say the drive up the mountain was worth it. The hike itself was pretty easy. Pretty much flat most of the way except a few slight inclines. You do have to cross a river which terrified me at first but luckily we had large logs to get across. The trail was beautiful, greenery all around you, and easy to follow. My group had fun being the only ones on there for most of the day. There is a section after crossing the river where you get a beautiful view of Mt Hood. That sight definitely put a smile on my face. The Falls itself was amazing; it was peaceful sitting down listening to the waterfall. If I find myself visiting the PNW anytime soon, I would definitely do this hike again read more

Very easy and well maintained trail. Mostly fine gravel all the way. There are warnings that you may have to cross the river since the bridge is gone but there were solid logs that were easy to cross over. Immediately after you cross the river go left down the path - the right had a trail marker but doesn't really lead anywhere. Eventually you'll get to the loop. The right side is definitely more scenic and follows the stream up. Pretty heavily traffic-ed on a Saturday with large groups at the falls. Falls itself was very pretty and somewhat reminiscent of Panther Creek Falls. As of today - air quality was not good but bearable. I frequently had stuff getting in my eyes. Too bad it was hazy out. Could barely see Mt. Hood. read more

It was awesome hike.. minus the fact that we were swarmed by flies. Seriously, take a repellent and wear long sleeves. Overall this was a grrrrrrrrrrrrreat hike. Easy and short 7 miles long. The waterfall was basically a Computer Screen Saver. Amazing view. Oh and always take enough water and some snacks such as carrots, nuts etc.. read more

The hike is beautiful! The loop offers varied views and is amazing as are the falls. It's a moderate enjoyable hike. I would love to do it again but crossing the river to begin the hike is dangerous. If you go up the river a bit it's better, but then you have to hike back down along the fast water where there is no solid footing and it's difficult. I won't go again unless a high bridge is built to cross safely. I would give the hike 5 stars if not for the crossing over rushing water. Maybe when the water is low and slower. Absolutely I would not take a child across that water. Understandably a bridge would pose danger of washing out again unless engineered high enough over the water. I'm sure hikers would pay to have safe crossing so hopefully something will be in place soon. read more

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous hike in alpine country. It is well-traveled by others, but on a weekday in the summer didn't feel crowded at all. We passed other people just a few times on the trail, and at the falls there were perhaps 12-15 others. The noise of the falls is such that we couldn't really hear them there, either. ;) I took my dog, who is not good with other dogs, and we only passed one other dog on the trail and saw one at the falls, which is AWESOME compared to other Oregon hikes on which dogs practically outnumber people! You get a great view of Mt. Hood, cross the Sandy River, see mossy alpine ground and many alpine streams, and a great waterfall to boot. It's a 7-ish mile trail, looped or out and back, with very gentle rise. As my book says, right about the time you start to think, "Hm, this is getting a little old", you turn a corner and there are the falls. Which are spectacular. PLEASE come prepared for an alpine environment! That means proper gear including footwear for you and poop bags for your canine pal, and proper clothing including layers, even if you *think* it's going to be hot--you never know. There is really no excuse for showing up to snow and being unprepared, and if you do and you are, please turn right around and don't even start hiking. Bring food and water for you (and your pup) that will allow an overnight stay, and have extra gear in your car. You have to sign your party (including bags and dogs) in at an unstaffed ranger box a short way down the trail, which should give you an idea that this is a more remote and extreme environment, and you should only go up if you are prepared. I didn't find this place at all hard to find--as noted in "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland". You do kind of wind around a campground for awhile, though no one was camping the day I went--not even sure it's open. read more

Easiest 7.1 mile hike you'll ever do unless the bridge was gone, as it was today. Then crossing the Sandy is a little of a challenge, but nothing that you can't overcome. Unlike some of the other posters here, I prefer doing the loop counter-clockwise - that is, take the path to the right to go up, as it is tedious and the steady climb makes looking at the scenery not as enjoyable, anyway. I don't know about you, but going uphill I stare at my feet a bit more. Your reward? One of the most beautiful gems of a waterfall you'll ever see, in a cool and misty spot, followed by a return trip in a forest that almost seems like a fairy tale forest. Words and pictures do this return trip no justice. It is gorgeous, quiet, shady, cool, with a mild downhill all the way back. This is the kind of seven-miler that leaves you refreshed and whistling a happy tune when you get back to your car, not worn out and beat up. Only reason for star deduction was the bridge being out...we almost brought our Golden Retriever, but she has a sore foot from a hike last week, and she would not have made it across the river even with a healthy paw. Signs are posted telling you the bridge is out, and you can also call the Zig Zag Ranger Station in advance if you are planning to bring a dog. read more