A Hike to Triple Falls

Early in November, I enjoyed a hike to Triple Falls. I parked my car and stepped out onto the pavement. I took a picture of some mushrooms growing nearby, then walked toward the road. Across from the parking lot, Horsetail Falls cascades into a pool. No hiking is required to enjoy this falls. I took a few minutes to look at the picnic area and read the information posted at the trailhead.

An easy, yet uphill trek brought me to Upper Horsetail Falls, also known as Ponytail Falls. The most notable feature of this falls is the roomy area behind the falls, allowing visitors to peer out through the water at the Columbia River Gorge.

The trail soon turns southward, following Oneonta Gorge. Once you travel a bit, you can turn and look back down Oneonta Gorge, reversing the view most people see from the Historic Columbia River Highway. Dropping down several switchbacks, a bridge crosses Oneonta Creek with a view of Oneonta Falls.

After viewing the falls, continue up the other side to meet up with Oneonta Trail. Follow this trail to another cliffside view of Triple Falls. You will want to take a few minutes to enjoy this view. Take lots of pictures then follow the trail to the bridge at the top of the falls.

There seems to be water flowing from everywhere to everywhere else. It’s a great spot to stop, eat your lunch, have a cup of coffee, or just relax. I worked my way over fallen logs and large mossy rocks to the top of the falls. Reaching out with my camera, I got a few breath-taking shots. Take a look at the video below for pictures and clips of the hike.