Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge
- Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Cabins
- Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Campground
- Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Rafting
Oneonta gorge is a slot canyon with an impressive waterfall at the end. The beauty is the sheer cliff walls seen looming over you the entire way in. The strem spans from canyon wall to canyon wall, and while only ankle deep in most places, it does get up to your waist even in dry seasons so be prepared to get wet. Here’s a happy group of hikers exploring Columbia River Gorge Gorge around 1910 becoming a part of the Oneonta Gorge History. This slot canyon within the Columbia River Gorge and on the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway has been a popular location to explore for a very long time.
Forums Canyon Collective General Discussion Oneonta Gorge, Columbia River Gorge - open or closed Discussion in ' General Discussion ' started by ratagonia, Aug 13, 2014. A slot canyon is a narrow gorge with smooth walls, box canyons are open on only one side, while submarine canyons are formed due to landslides and turbidity currents, rather than weathering or erosion. Oneonta Gorge is a spectacular moss, lichen and fern clad slot canyon located on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge. With cliff walls towering some 150 feet to the forest above, the lower gorge has been cut by Oneonta Creek through layers of basalt flows dating back 25 million years ago to the Miocene epoch.
Lower Oneonta Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. It is located on the Oregon side about 2.2 miles east of Multnomah falls on the East Historic Columbia River highway. ( 45 minutes east of Portland, Oregon on I-84 ) Lower Oneonta is accessible by scrambling up the Oneonta Creek bed in a slot / canyon. You will probably want to visit this waterfall during the summer months when the water levels in Oneonta creek are lower. You will need to scramble over two large log piles ( may vary ) as well as wade through water in one or two spots that is up to four feet. ( depends upon the amount of rain fall and season ). If you are with young children or older relatives, this is probably not the waterfall to visit, but you can easily visit many other waterfalls that are a only a few hundred meters from the historic Columbia river highway.
You can also catch glimpses of Lower Oneonta Falls from Oneonta Trail #424 and Horsetail Falls Trail #438 which join very close to the falls.
If you want to plan a trip to visit other water falls in the Gorge, you can visit
http://www.oregonwaterfalls.net/gorge.htm”
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/tools/hikefinder/hike_finder.php”
If you want to view a high resolution panorama of Latourell falls, then http://www.stoneyphoto.com/latourell-falls-columbia-river-gorge-oregon/
July 14, 2015
A hidden slot canyon beckons hardy hikers
By Megan Hill
Photo at right: Lush rare botanical flora hangs from the basalt walls of Oneonta Gorge. Photo by Warren Morgan. Courtesy of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, www.gorgefriends.org
The Oneonta Gorge traces a narrow capillary, branching off from the main artery of the Columbia River along the Washington-Oregon border. Designated as a botanical area by the U.S. Forest Service, the 25 million year old basalt canyon is host to unique species of aquatic and woodland ferns, lichens and mosses that grow only in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Oneonta Gorge is also a favorite among hikers for its quartet of waterfalls, however, the Lower Oneonta Falls is the only one accessible directly through the Gorge.
Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Cabins
Oneonta Gorge Trail
The first of four falls, the 100-foot high Lower Oneonta Falls is tucked at the far end of the slot canyon and tumbles over lush moss-covered walls. Middle and Upper Oneonta Falls, as well as Triple Falls, sit above the canyon and can be accessed via a different trail system that runs above the Gorge.
A verdant slot canyon beckons scores of hardy hikers for photos of the iconic Lower Oneonta Falls, but this hike is anything but a stroll along a traditional dirt trail. Oneonta Creek is your pathway and you’ll follow it upstream toward the sound of falling water. The hike is less than a mile roundtrip and the waterfall is a mossy gem tucked into the far end of the canyon.
Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Campground
You’ll descend a set of stone steps near the bridge crossing the mouth of Oneonta Creek. Walk along the creek for a few dry yards until you reach a large unstable wall of logs. Navigate this obstacle carefully as the jumble of logs and boulders identifies this section as the most challenging for visitors.
After the log jam be prepared for the best part of the hike—walking along the river bed. If the creek is running low, you’ll hit occasional dry spots otherwise you’ll feel like an intrepid jungle explorer as you ply the sometimes chest-high waters of the Gorge making your way upstream to the waterfall.
Be prepared to protect electronics and other essentials by bringing along a waterproof pack or bag. Wear sturdy shoes knowing they will get wet, preferably paired with neoprene water socks.
The best time to visit the Gorge is during the summer months when the water level is low and the weather is warm. Other times of the year the creek runs too high for safe trekking and is simply too cold for the duration of the hike.
Because the hike is easily accessible and close to the popular Multnomah Falls, many people hike the canyon to enjoy its cool walls and water during the warm summer season. Opt for an early morning on a weekend or on a weekday for a quieter hike.
Trails and waterfalls above the Oneonta Gorge
To see Oneonta Gorge from above, head to the Horsetail Falls Trail. This easy, 2.6-mile loop is rewarding because you’ll pass three waterfalls and glimpse Oneonta Gorge from above.
You’ll start at the thundering 176-foot Horsetail Falls, climbing a few gentle switchbacks before reaching a junction at 0.2 miles. Bear right toward the 80-foot Ponytail Falls. Here, the trail notches into the canyon wall allowing hikers to venture behind the spray of the falls.
You’ll parallel the highway for a short distance before turning deeper into the forest and above the Gorge. The trail leads to a footbridge spanning Oneonta Creek and Lower Oneonta Falls below, where you can peer into
the Gorge.
After you cross the bridge, you have an optional side trip to the left, toward Middle and Upper Oneonta Falls and Triple Falls. Alternatively, you can walk along the road on a sidewalk most of the way back to Horsetail Falls and the highway.
Trip Details/Resources
Distance: 0.6 miles round trip along the creek bed.
Trailhead Directions: From Portland, follow I-84 to exit 35 toward Historic Hwy/Ainsworth State Park. Turn right onto Historic Columbia River Highway, following signs for Multnomah Falls. Oneonta Gorge will be signed on your left after the tunnel.
Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge-West #428S
Contacts: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa
Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Rafting
Resources
www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike53.html
www.world-of-waterfalls.com/
pacific-northwest-lower-oneonta-falls.html
www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Columbia_River_Gorge_Hikes
More Columbia Gorge hikes can be found at: www.oregonhikers.org and www.wta.org
Megan Hill is a Seattle-based freelance writer. She specializes in writing about food, travel, and the outdoors. www.meganhillfreelancewriter.com