Hike: Oneonta Gorge + Triple Falls via Horsetail Falls, Cascade Locks, OR

Getting There

I wanted to get in one more hike for WTA's Hike-a-Thon. I was expecting to see signs about needing a permit for Multnomah Falls but I never saw one (Hwy 30, I-84). I decided to chance it. When I arrived in the parking lot there are a number of open spots so I thought I was golden. I got geared up and started towards the tunnel. 

I realized there were a number of people milling around near the ramp down the tunnel. I thought they were just waiting for people at their car or a shuttle pickup. I noticed two people in orange vests at the tunnel entrance: they were checking permits. Fuck! I scanned the QR code and paid $2 but my time slot was for 3pm but it was only 2:20pm. After a min, I decided "fuck that". I'm not waiting 40 mins to start my hike, I can't afford to waste the daylight.

Annoyed, I marched back to the Jeep and threw my stuff in the back. I wasn't even going to see the Falls, I was hiking away. I wondered if the "gatekeepers" would have let me through, given my intent and destination.

I hopped back on the freeway and went to Horsetail Falls via exit 35 (Ainsworth State Park). There was one open spot but at least I wasn't parked on the side of the road like last time. 

The Hike

Length: 5.98 miles
Elev. gain: 1,644ft
Moving time: 2h 29m
Total time: 2h 46m
Avg. pace: 24:49
Calories: 1,309
Total time: 2h 46m

 

 

 

 

 

Even though it was just 2 days since my big hike at Hamilton/BRSP, I felt like my legs were in good enough condition to go for another spin. To be honest, my left hand still hurt and my jaw is still sore, for some reason. It was for a good cause: Hike-a-Thon!

I passed a few people on the way up but pretty much had the place to myself.

To my surprise, I made it to Triple Falls in about an hour. Dang! Not to shabby. I feel really good about climbing MSH next month.... two weeks!!!! I've been worried my lack of hikes this year would set me back physically but I've still been doing trailwork, i.e. hiking with tools but not the same mileage or EG.

This close to my climb date, I feel like I have the right level of fitness. Combined with proper nutrition (before and during) and mental toughness & resilience I should have a successful day on the mountain. The biggest unknown is the conditions: weather, fires.

Since I was feeling good I figured I keep going up, the bridge back across the creek. I also set a turn around time of 4pm and it was already 3:40pm. The trail looked like it had been brushed somewhat recently, however I got to a spot where it looked like the trail work ended. The fireweed seeds were drifting in the air all over the place. When I would brush against them, it would cause of cloud of seeds to surround me. Ugh. I didn't want to deal with that for another 1/4 mile for minimal distance and EG gain. This was a exercise hike after all.

I promptly turned around and enjoyed my descent. 

There was one sunbather at Triple Falls so I did my best to give them their privacy. I took some photos facing north, a(nother) selfie.

I felt good about my decision to get out of the house.

This was routine hike.

I made it back across the river and continued towards the viewpoint west of Ponytail Falls.

The views from there are great. I noticed the plaque for Glenn W. Replogle, a 14-yo that fell from Horsetail Falls in 1988. Sad and a reminder that these beautiful places are also dangerous and demand respect.

I loved seeing Archer and Hamilton across the river, formed 5-17 millions years ago. 
See Columbia River Basalt Group.

 

Hike: Herman Creek, Cascade Locks, OR

Getting There

Take I-84 eastbound from Portland to Cascade Locks. Drive through town on Wa Na Pa Street. (You can also take the exit after Cascade Locks ("the exit toward Weigh Station"). Follow the Frontage Road for about 1.7 miles to the Herman Creek Campground and Trailhead (Herman Creek Road). The small parking lot is 0.3 miles from the turnoff.

The parking lot wasn't quite full even though it's small, there was a spot near the bathroom. There weren't any cars over the construction area where I parked last time.

The Hike

Length: 8.66 mi
Elev. gain: 2,976 ft
Moving time: 3:52:18
Avg pace: 26:50
Calories: 2,047
Total time: 4:22:27 

Herman Creek Trail #406 > Nick Eaton Trail #447 > Ridge Cutoff Trail #437 > Gorton Creek Trail #408 

 

 

 

Last time I came here, I got some poison oak on my wrists which got infected. My selective memory forgot that while I didn't go off trail, it is pretty overgrown in places. 

This time, I was in a short-sleeved shirt and was bushwhacking through several sections. Those section were moderate to "I can't see my feet" overgrown.

This was going to be a health/fitness check before my upcoming annual summit attempt of Mt St Helens next week. I haven't been hiking much besides the trail work parties. I've had some health issues like vertigo (again!) and heart palpitations (maybe??). I wore a heart monitor for a week and did the Glacier Overlook Hike with MSHI and one trail work party on the Loowit.

This hike was about what I remembered from March except for how overgrown it is in places. It climbs nearly 3000 ft (~900m) in 3.8 miles (~6.1km). My heart was beating pretty hard and felt like I wasn't quite getting enough O2 but I soldiered on. I was happy to reach the Ridge Cutoff (#437) junction hear the unnamed high point off the Nick Eaton Trail (#447). 

I swore I heard voices but it was probably the phantom noises from my water bottle. Not the first time I've imagined human-like voices.

I double backed to the Ridge Cutoff and continued my lollipop loop towards Indian Point. 

Again, I deferred going down there to "next time" (if ever). I did see a guy on the river side of the point. High exposure, at least for my angle. I whistled a couple of time and waved by he didn't look up. Probably for the best. I had a nightmarish thought of distracting the guy and seeing him fall. I watched him cautiously make his way along the ridge (safely) and continued my hike when I saw he'd reached the trees.

The Gorton Creek trail is gorgeous. It does have some sections that were likely part of the Eagle Creek fire in 2017 but the trees I noticed along the trail were still alive and had lots of greenery at the top even though the bark was blackened.

When I got back to the Herman Creek Campground, I saw a mountain biker starting a descent on the Gorge Trail (#400). I was happy to have completed the loop section of my hike and was heading back to the car.

On the way down, I stopped and stepped off the trail to allow more mountain bikers heading uphill. 

The hike was a success. Not only was it great to return to this area of the Gorge but I felt good. Besides a deep worry about my lungs, my legs did fine. I feel ready to tackle MSH knowing the challenge is slanted the mental game. 

  

Hike: Herman Creek, Cascade Locks, OR

Getting There

Take I-84 eastbound from Portland to Cascade Locks. Drive through town on Wa Na Pa Street. (You can also take the exit after Cascade Locks ("the exit toward Weigh Station"). Follow the Frontage Road for about 1.7 miles to the Herman Creek Campground and Trailhead (Herman Creek Road). The small parking lot is 0.3 miles from the turnoff.

The lot was full but there were several cars parked next the a fence storage area for some kind of construction project. I parked next to a car in front of a stack of board and a No Parking sign. It was afternoon so I hoped that there wasn't any active work here.

Last time I came here, I got a blood nose and saw a lot of broken car glass in the parking lot. I bailed. Today, I hoped the thieves would not show up. Also, I made sure nothing enticing was left in my car.

The Hike

Distance: 7.61 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,180 feet
Highest Elevation: 3,109 feet

 

 

 

 

 

I only vaguely knew what the trail had in store for me. It was going to be great weather (mid-70s) and I was hiking without a base layer for the first time in month. I had my sun shirt and I needed it.

The first part of the trail I pretty wide, like a forest road, to Herman Creek Camp. I wonder if it's mixed use (hike, bike, horses) (*I did see two mountain bikers on their ascent in the afternoon). It pretty heavily wooded so the only views of the river were limited. I could see the top of the mountain but couldn't guess the route from my vantage point below.

I'd done a little research on a loop hike that was about 8 miles but some descent elevation gain, 3000+ feet. It seemed doable.

The EG from the trailhead to Herman Creek Camp was only about 1000 feet. I knew the next section was going to tough, 2000+ feet. I had my sights on a view point at the top. About 1/2 way up, I emerged from the trees and the views opened up to the southwest. I could see behind the mountains behind Cascade Locks and Mt St Helens and Mt Adams were more visible to the north and northeast.

I passed on hiker going the other direction. We acknowledged each other but that was about it. I was happy to know the clockwise loop was passable. As it was making my way, I thought I remember reading about lots of downfall over the trail. I hoped I had made the right choice and didn't encounter any logs that weren't easy to step over. I even cut a few out myself with the handsaw. This is where the big fold-able saw would have been key!

While I was tired when I reached the junction for "unnamed high point", I saw it wasn't a lot of EG. I was glad to have made it to the apex of my hike. There was a small cairn but it was wooded on the northside, obscuring any direct views of the river. I could see Mt Adams through the trees and you could sort of see Bonneville Dam to the west.

From here it was all downhill. LOL.

When I got to the junction for Indian Point, I realized it was pretty technical and I would lose a bit of EG to get down there. The actual point is a rocky spine with moderate exposure. I was too tired for a technical climb on the ridge. Maybe next time!

Judging by how far down the river was, I still had a ways to go, even if it was downhill. My muscles were sore but I felt good and strong. No IT band issues.

I got lost in my. thoughts but made sure to stop every once in awhile to appreciate my surroundings, and accomplishment of tackling this mountain climb. I was stoked to have checked off a new trail from my "list".

I came around a corner and recognized the signage at the Herman Creek Camp, back to where I'd started the long uphill climb. I was back on the forest road. As usual, it seemed longer than I remember.

A couple of mountain bikers were climbing the hill. I stepped off the trail. 

When I got within sight of the parking lot. I suddenly got worried that I was looking at work trucks. Oh shit. I was sure I'd gotten a ticket for parking in front of the No Parking sign. I rehearsed my apology. It only took a little while to realize that the work trucks weren't anywhere near the trailhead. 

I found just two cars in the official parking area and my Jeep was the only car left in the "overflow" area. No ticket, no workers, nada. No vandalism. Win-win!

Wind Mountain, Ausperger Mountain

Mt Adams

Wind Mountain, Dog Mountain

Hike: Oneonta Gorge Trail, Cascade Locks, OR

Getting There

Take the Historic Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30), constructed between 1913 and 1922. The Oneonta Trailhead is 2.0 miles east of Multnomah Falls, and just 0.6 miles west of Horsetail Falls Trailhead.

You can access Hwy 30 via I-84 via Exit 28 (Bridal Veil/Angel's Rest) or Exit 35 (Ainsworth State Park) from either the west or eastbound lanes. 

In the morning to just after lunch, I was volunteering at Latourell Falls as a Trail Ambassador for Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), greeting visitors, orienting them about the trail, and suggesting other waterfall hikes.

Since I was in the area and already had my hiking boots on, I figured I could get in a hike and log some miles for WTA's 2023 Hike-a-Thon. Originally, I'd planned to hike up Wahkeena Falls since I hadn't been there since winter. I knew the trailheads were going to be busy but I was hoping for an open spot. Unfortunately, Wahkeena's main and auxiliary parking lots were full. I was running low on gas, so my closest places for fuel was Cascade Locks so I continued on Hwy 30 in that direction. 

When I reached Oneonta & Horsetails Falls Trailheads, there was ample parking. I pulled into a spot and headed out.

The Hike

Length: 4.55 mi
Elev. gain: 1,375 ft
Moving time: 2:03:36
Avg pace: 27:09
Calories: 270
Total time: 2:12:02

The first part of the trail is a long switchback in the trees and gradual climb. Once you reach the gorge, it starts to climb a bit. There's a permit box at the junction for Horsetail Falls Trail. It looks like a steep descent down but I was headed for Triple Falls and beyond.

The forest is gone. The trees were burnt in the 2017 fire which started at Eagle Creek. There is no shade except behind a few large tree trunks. The trail is stable but there are a few spots where careful footing is wise as the drops are pretty sheer. 

There are some viewpoints of the gorge.

I finally made it to a viewpoint for Triple Falls. I can imagine this surrounded by a lush forest but now it's a stark reminder of the fire 6 years ago. I continued up to the bridge. There was a group of hikers sitting next to the creek, cooling off in the shade. It was pretty hot and I was feeling it. Probably in the high 80s to low 90s.

I had another 1.5 liters of water but low on electrolytes. I wasn't sure what lie ahead on the trail but continued up. I found a spot to get down to the water. Not to fill up my bottles because I didn't bring a filter but to dunk my neck gaiter to help cool down.

There was a couple going in the same direction. They passed me but I passed them a bit later when they were stopped in the little shade there was. I was started to get chills; not good; it's a sign my body is having trouble regulating the temperature. I didn't have a clear destination and I didn't want to take any chances so I turned around and started the walk back to Triple Falls.

Even when going downhill, I continued to have the occasional wave of chills. I drank more water and took my time. When I reached the bridge I stopped to take a panorama and rest in the shade. I was starting to feel better and enjoyed the descent down the gorge.

Further down the trail, I came across a pair of hikers that looked a bit exhausted and were sitting on the trail. One of them asked me about Horsetail Falls Trail but I said I thought it was down below at the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness permit box. They said they hoping to reach Triple Falls. I gave wrong info as I thought it meant the series of Oneonta Falls (Lower, Middle, and Upper) but in fact, the bridge WAS Triple Falls. Oops.

I stubbed my right big toe even though the Keens have a burly rubber toe cap. It slowed me down a bit as my toes were snug against the front of the boot on the downhill.

I made it back to the trailhead/parking lot and continued east to Cascade Locks to get some gas. I noticed quite a few thru hikers walking around town. Oregon now has self-serve fuel. Kinda of a trip. I remember when I first moved to the state 20 years ago, I'd absentmindedly got out of my truck and got reprimanded for starting to pump my own gas.

I thought about stopping for a late lunch at the Bridgeside but zoomed by and got back on the freeway.

I still had to drop off my TKO stuff at Rooster Rock. When I'd been there in the morning, the ranger station was closed but this time a person was checking & selling parking permits. I told them I was with TKO and there to drop off my stuff, and the ranger waved me through.

All in all, a good day in the Gorge.