Tamanawas Falls Hike

Overview

Tamanawas Falls forms a broad curtain where Cold Spring Creek thunders over a 110-foot lava cliff near the eastern base of Mount Hood. This hike along scenic Cold Spring Creek has been a traditional trek for families and can be enjoyed any time of the year with the right preparation. The waterfall is reduced to a thin veil in late summer and fall, but summer wildflowers and fall colors make the hike up the creek a worthy excursion. It's possible to see the falls in winter, when the spray freezes over and forms a massive ice grotto in the amphitheater, but snowshoes may be required. The hike begins at the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. From the large parking area, take the trail through the woods toward the roaring East Fork of the Hood River. You'll cross the raging stream on a massive log bridge. Turn right after crossing the bridge, and follow the East Fork Trail #650 north as it gradually climbs high above the river and highway. At the half-mile mark, pass a viewpoint and round the corner into Cold Spring Creek canyon, passing the East Fork-Tamanawas Falls Trail Junction. Keep left and drop down the slope towards a bridge over Cold Spring Creek. The continuation of the East Fork Trail heads north (right), and is an alternate route to the falls from the Polallie Trailhead (see the Tamanawas Falls Loop Hike). After crossing the creek, the Tamanawas Falls Trail ambles upstream, always within sight of the rushing stream, which tumbles over a series of tiny waterfalls. Engelmann spruce, western red-cedar, and Douglas-fir form the forest canopy. At 1.5 miles, begin climbing above the creek. Pass the signed Tamanawas Falls-Tamanawas Tie Trail Junction on the right and look up to admire the andesite cliff faces. Below, Cold Spring Creek rushes through Sitka alder thickets. Switchback up through a large boulder field. Beyond the rockfall, the trail enters forest and soon arrives at a fine view upstream to Tamanawas Falls. From here, you can simply enjoy the falls from the trail, or follow one of the use paths for a cl

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