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Oneonta Gorge

Cascade Locks, Oregon

4.8/5
based on 30 reviews

Details

Distance

0.92 miles

Elevation Gain

531 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Michael Matti

*Currently closed (except a small portion of the upper trail between Multnomah Spur and Trail #444 on Larch Mountain). Oneonta is a unique gorge that leads to beautiful Oneonta Falls. The experience of wading through chilly water to reach the falls only adds to the adventure.

*Currently closed (except a small portion of the upper trail between Multnomah Spur and Trail #444 on Larch Mountain)...here

This hike is very short (1 mile roundtrip) but does take some time to do. The trail leads down from the road into a stream bed. You follow the stream bed upstream through a narrow gorge. At the entrance to the gorge there is a large log jam. This requires some balance to climb over; be very careful if it is wet.

I like the path over the log jam on the far left near the gorge wall. Once you're over the log jam, the rest of the hike is just walking in and then wading through the stream. At one point in the stream the water gets quite deep, maybe 5ft depending on time of year. This section isn't very long but the water is cold. It is possible to cling to the rock and shimmy along the right side of the gorge and only have the water go up to about your knees. After the deep section, you arrive at the end of the gorge and the spectacular waterfall.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
River
Scenic
Waterfall
Swimming Hole

Oneonta Gorge Reviews

Came here on a weekend in Mid-August and the place was crowded. Toddlers and dogs among many other people were tumbling over logs and each other to get over the log jam. Beware that if you have small children with you this may not be the hike for you.... However if you do you wish to stumble and test you balancing and climbing skills over the pile of logs, the challenge is well worth it! Portions of the walk to the falls are through the creek/river and it can get about chest deep during the time we went. (However it could often be deeper since we went during the summer in a drought) Also make sure to bring a swimsuit so you can swim under the falls at the very end!

Really amazing - though as mentioned by others try to avoid peak hours and don't be afraid to do a little scrambling over the log jam.

Go during the week, as weekends (especially sunny weekends) are packed with people and it takes away from the experience a little bit

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Triple Falls

Horsetail Falls Loop

Ponytail Falls

Multnomah Falls

Larch Mountain's Summit

Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop