Triple Falls Hike

Triple Falls Hike

Resources

Hike info: http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Triple_Falls_Hike

Maps: http://columbiariverhighway.com/multnomah-wahkeena-falls-loop/

We started at the trail head near Horsetail Falls (get there early, limited parking). There's another hike in from a trail head closer to Oneonta Gorge, but with the Horsetail Falls entrance you pass Ponytail Falls (which you definitely want to see).

This hike was done a couple weeks ago while the gorge still had some fall color. Everything was yellow or green! The hike up to Ponytail Falls was about .4 miles in and at about 75 ft tall, the waterfall has a cavern you walk in to continue up the trail.

One of the small things I love about Oregon is how many dogs you see on the hikes! I always have an urge to pet them all and usually their owners are nice enough to strike up a conversation with while I play with the dog. I saw this corgi on the trail and I HAD to stop and pet him! The owners said that they bring him on all their hikes and he keeps up even with his little short legs!

We came across the bridge which looked sturdy however this sign was left on the side of it. it says "Attention Hikers: Due to damage sustained by this bridge, engineers have determined that it is safe  for only one person at a time to cross." Upon hearing this, Dylan proceeded to jump on it, causing me to slightly freak out. I had posted this picture on Instagram and people were saying that the sign had been there for months and months, For as popular as this hike is, it's shocking that they haven't fixed it yet.

Once you got past this bridge, the trail began to get continuously steep, however every switchback presented a view that overlooked the forest spotted with fall colors. The colors were unreal! I kept stopping and taking photos while yelling "OMG ITS BEAUTIFUL!" every five minutes. It probably took us double the amount of time it normally would to get there because I kept stopping, my boyfriend was not impressed. 

The pictures make the falls look smaller than they really are. The falls stand at about 85 feet tall. You look down on them and I looked, but there is no way to get to the bottom of the falls unless you have some kind of rock climbing gear.

Walk past the falls and there is a bridge maybe .2 miles down the trail. This continues on to the Larch Mountain trail.

I loved this hike! It was stated as moderated on the Oregon hikers website, which I think was a good description. I saw dogs, kids, and people of all ages on trail. The views were wonderful and the hike was decently maintained. Check out my Instagram for more from the PNW @thecalifornianrefugee!