Tamanawas Falls Loop Hike

Overview

There's a less crowded option for accessing popular Tamanawas Falls that gives more elevation gain on quieter trails although, once alongside Cold Spring Creek, you'll still encounter numerous fellow hikers taking the direct route from the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. However beginning at the Polallie Trailhead the last leg of the loop on the East Fork Trail will put you within hearing of traffic on Highway 35. While the falls are the principal destination, you can also take time to admire forest wildflowers in the summer as well as the species-rich coniferous forest on the east side of Mount Hood. 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 Tamanawas Falls. Cold Spring Creek flows through thickets of Sitka alder below. Pass a couple of sturdy Engelmann spruce and reach another viewpoint of the falls, which drop 110 feet over a basalt overhang. When you’ve had your fill of the view, return down the Tamanawas Falls Trail to pass the Tamanawas Falls-Tamanawas Tie Trail Junction.

Trail Stats

Photos

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