August 3, 2011 - Hike 6

Ramona Falls - Mt Hood
Approximately 7 mile loop.













This was an exciting hike. It is the only time I have ever been evacuated from a trail. We started at the lower parking lot at a short riverside path that takes you about 1.2 miles to the Ramona Falls Trail. The day was sunny and clear with a little haze. The trail is usually traversed counter clockwise but after looking through our guide book decided to do it clockwise. This turned out to be a good idea. because the eastern part of the trail follows a creek upstream. By going upstream you get to see the many smaller waterfalls in the creek.

It was cool and the air felt fresh in the thick lodgepole pine forest. By following the east side of the loop trail to get to the falls, you will follow the mossy bank of Ramona Creek until you reach Ramona Falls. It is probably about 3.6 miles from the lower parking lot to the Falls.

My hiking partner hanging out by Ramona Creek

Ramona Falls is one of the prettiest falls I have seen. It has a very lacy look to it which is caused by the specific geology of the area. The basalt cooled slowly enough that when it fractures, it creates hexagonal columnar forms. When they eroded to form the falls, they created a stairstep pattern that the water flows over. Water seems to flow down similar to a marble galton board. You probably have seen the galton boards but may not know the name of it, it looks like the image below:

Just like the galton board, the water seems to bounce around until reaching the pool at the bottom of the falls.

See how it looks similar to the galton board above :)



 After we left the falls to return on the west side of the loop, the shadows in the forest started to change. It seemed as if it were nearly sunset. I had my hiking partner check his watch and it really was only noon. When we entered a clearing, we saw that the sun was being obscured by a huge cloud of smoke. We were also noticing ash falling from the sky.

Soon our noses and eyes began to burn. Luckily we were only about a mile and a half from the parking lot. When we were within 1/2 mile from the parking lot, a ranger came to evacuate the trail. The smoke and ash from the fires near Mt. Hood were being carried in a different direction than expected that morning. Once at the car, we noticed it was covered in ash. On the way out of the hiking area we saw that they had blocked the entrance with caution tape and had rangers and a fire patrol truck preventing anyone from entering the area.

Overall, this was a good hike but extremely popular. That meant more people than I usually like around when I hike. The falls were very beautiful though and the trail was relatively flat. And now I can add the experience of being evacuated on my list of memories.