East Fork Loop Hike

Overview

In November 2006, six days of very wet weather producing 13 ½ inches of precipitation caused debris flows all around Mount Hood. On the east side of the mountain, both Clark and Newton Creeks rolled boulders into the East Fork Hood River and the combined spate took out 2 ½ miles of Highway 35. The East Fork Trail #250, an undulating path that traversed the slope west of the East Fork was destroyed in many places. While it used to run six miles between the Polallie Trailhead and the Robinhood Campground, it is now a truncated 3 ½ miles, maintained until a point opposite the Nottingham Campground. The hike includes vistas over the East Fork and numerous impressive old-growth Douglas-firs. In fall, larches stand like brightly lit candles in the forest of evergreens. Since they’re in the vicinity, hikers will probably want to include a loop that visits impressive Tamanawas Falls before embarking on the out-and-back East Fork excursion. Cross Highway 35 from the Polallie Trailhead, and switchback up a slope to the Elk Meadows-East Fork Trail Junction. To do the loop to Tamanawas Falls, make a right and hike up in a forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, grand fir, western larch, and chinquapin. You’ll turn into a quiet wood above Polallie Creek and hike through a carpet of twin flower and pipsissewa. There’s a glimpse of Mount Hood through the trees as you make a gradual traverse up and switchback. Ponderosa pine, western white pine, and noble fir become part of the forest mix. Reach the Elk Meadows-Tamanawas Tie Trail Junction, and go left to traverse down a steep slope. You’ll notice larger ponderosa pines here and pass right under a big and gnarly Douglas-fir. Weathered rock palisades loom above, and ocean spray droops over the trail. Cross a boulder slide with Cold Spring Creek rushing below. Switchback down to the junction with the Tamanawas Falls Trail, and make a sharp right. The trail crosses a massive boulder field below sheer andesite cliffs. Two short switchbacks take you up to your first view of Ta

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-EastForkLoopMap

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