RAMONA FALLS LOOP |
ELEVATION: 3500 ft, with about 1100 ft vertical gain
DISTANCE: 7½ mi round-trip loop
DURATION: 3 hours round-trip
DIFFICULTY: Mix of moderate in late summer or fall easily across the Sandy River over choice of logs (fairly easy to follow, partial bushwhack near river, gentle grade) and very challenging during high water with logs covered or wet at the Sandy River (dangerous river crossing in spring, not recommended for larger dogs any time)
TRIP REPORT: Without a bridge in place over the rushing Sandy River, this once family-friendly bustling hike is far less busy, but most people who aren’t too young or old still seem to go for it under the best conditions with low water (usually late August/September). The lighting on these mystical, sparkling falls in a dense emerald forest changes intensely throughout the day and year. The lollipop loop adds a wonderful dynamic to this hike without adding much mileage. Northwest Forest Pass required, and portable outhouses are present.
TRAILHEAD: Ramona Falls TH. Take US-26 E from Portland 16¼ mi E of Sandy, turn left (NE) across from the Zigzag Inn and Zigzag Ranger Station on E Lolo Pass Road (FR-18) 4 mi, fork right on Muddy Fork Road (FR-1825) ¾ mi crossing the bridge over the Sandy River, and continue 1¾ mi (becomes winding one-lane). Fork left on FR-100 (a bit rougher, also signed for Ramona Falls, all paved) almost ½ mi to the end at a sizable parking lot (50 mi, more than 1 hour from Portland).
ROUTE: Begin E on Sandy River Trail 770 almost ¼ mi to a kiosk and free self-issue Wilderness Permit at a stop sign. Continue about 1 mi easily up to the river crossing following the wide pumice trail along the high sandy bank through the woods with shots to Mount Hood from the rocky, wide riverbed with steep embankments. You will have to negotiate one of several large, fallen trees directly upriver (right) a few feet or up to a hundred feet farther with higher flows (or rock hop under very low flow) to cross carefully over the cold, rushing stream. Anyone with good balance should be able to get across the dry logs later in the summer.
Walk up through a well-used notch in the bank to climb out of the riverbed. If you had to cross farther upriver, turn left briefly onto the solid trail once you climb the bank to find the main trail (770) again, and then turn right on it. Work your way NNE carefully ¼ mi, or go straight across the confusing open boulder-laden area into the woods remembering your route. Head up to a nearby juncture with the beginning/end of the lollipop loop after getting a really good look at Mount Hood up the valley.
Shimmering Ramona Falls is a brief pilgrimage locals make multiple times per year!
For the direct route (counterclockwise loop), walk straight (SE) on Ramona Falls Trail 797 along the river through the thin trees with ample sun 1½ mi up to the junction with Timberline Trail 600/PCT 2000 (newer signage). Those trails run concurrently with part of the Ramona Falls loop before moving N up the mountain or moving right here at the fork down SE over the Sandy River, then fairly steep several miles up to Paradise Park and beyond. Resume left instead up dusty Trail 797 about ½ mi without difficulty past rhododendrons to the falls within the thicker forest and enjoy the splendor even though there’s a good chance you won’t be alone. Check out different angles of the dazzling, splayed-out, year-round cascade (120 ft high) before departing.
For the more interesting segment of the loop, walk across the footbridge below the falls to an immediate intersection (right is Trail 600) and walk left (NW) at the fork nearest Ramona Creek on Trail 797 for a more scenic return losing the equestrians for the next segment. The path down is only slightly narrower but quite enjoyable as you pass a huge cliff wall at the bottom of Yocum Ridge, several tiny cascades on the creek, and a few footbridges throughout the beautiful green forest almost 2 mi from Ramona Falls to the next juncture in the flats. The trail only becomes a bit sandier and rockier to the juncture.
Turn left (SW, opposite the PCT Shortcut) on Trail 797 for ½ mi to the end of the loop, passing the equestrian spur then a solid bridge over Ramona Creek in the woods to the intersection near the Sandy River. Turn right at the end of the loop to the parking lot by continuing more than 1½ mi to the TH using utmost caution crossing the river again.
Thick logs help day hikers cross the mighty Sandy River under ideal conditions.