34 min
Overview
This is a stunning low elevation loop that takes in three waterfalls, looks into the sheer-walled Oneonta Gorge, and offers views over the Oneonta Bottomlands and up the Columbia River Gorge. Families with small children need to be careful at the unprotected cliff viewpoints on Oneonta Bluff and avoid the poison oak that grows along the trail. The trail begins at one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere, where Horsetail Falls plunges over a basalt cliff. A stone-walled viewing area adds to the ambience. Plan on a bit of time before or after your hike to view and photograph the falls. The Horsetail Falls Trail #438 begins climbing some easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. You'll pass your first trail junction here, where the Gorge Trail #400 heads east. After five switchbacks, the trail levels out and heads west high above the Gorge below. After 4/10 of a mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small ravine containing Ponytail Falls. (A rooty user trail here leads steeply up to the Rock of Ages Arch.) In literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world. The trail passes behind Ponytail Falls in a cavernous overhang at a soft layer between Columbia River Basalt flows. The trail continues west, maintaining a level path along the bluff. Rockfall here supports moss, ferns, and a few large maples. A side trail leads to Oneonta Bluff's clifftop viewpoints over the Oneonta Bottomlands below and then east to Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain. Directly across the Columbia River is the large forested bowl formed by Indian Mary, Duncan, and Woodward creeks, with Archer Mountain just to the west. Take care and don't step too close to the edge: a plaque memorializes a teen that fell to his death near here. You'll find some camas blooming at the west end of the bluff in spring. The main trail continues into Oneonta Gorge, where the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire scorched hillsides in a raging canopy fire. Look up the narrow valley and, especially in winter, you'll get some go
Trail Stats
0.0 km
172 m
120 m
0 m
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Photos
350px-HorsetailFallsLoopMap
350px-HorsetailFallsLoopMap
250px-East_end_of_the_Oneonta_Tunnel
250px-East_end_of_the_Oneonta_Tunnel
250px-Cascade_penstemon_%28Penstemon_serrulatus%29%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-Cascade_penstemon_%28Penstemon_serrulatus%29%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-Indian_plums%2C_Oneonta_Gorge%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-Indian_plums%2C_Oneonta_Gorge%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-Slopes_above_Oneonta_Gorge%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-Slopes_above_Oneonta_Gorge%2C_Gorge_Trail
250px-View_upriver_from_Oneonta_Bluff
250px-View_upriver_from_Oneonta_Bluff
250px-PonytailFalls1
250px-PonytailFalls1
260px-HorsetailFalls04
260px-HorsetailFalls04
TKO put tools to trail here.png
TKO put tools to trail here.png