Plan with
Confidence
The access road Forest Road 1825 is gated in winter at the Sandy River for cross-country skiing once there is a foot or more of snow usually. This is wilderness and groups must be 12 "heartbeats" or less. Larger groups must be at least one mile apart at all times or find non-wilderness trails to rxh. A self-issued wilderness permit must be obtained by all groups and fastened to a pack. The permit explains other wilderness restrictions.
Path Type
Loop
The Ramona Falls Loop has been one of the most popular trails on the Mt. Hood National Forest for years. You start on the Sandy River Trail #770 hiking up the rugged Sandy River Canyon. The trail here is part of the Old Maid Flats geologic area that is the old mudflow from Mt. Hood's eruption. The river continues to cut the canyon banks away leaving sharp drop offs and overhanging cliffs that you should not hike on. Forest Service managers continue to reroute the trail away from the ever-changing canyon lip. The trail eventually drops down into the river canyon. The river itself moves considerably from year to year and a seasonal bridge is no longer available, so hikers must use caution and cross the Sandy River on a log or ford the river. Once across the river, you can decide to go clockwise or counterclockwise. Counterclockwise is recommended. You take a right and head southeast on the PCT #2000 skirting the north edge of the Sandy River canyon. After 2.85 miles, you come to the PCT #2000 /Timberline #600 junction. Bear left on the Timberline Trail #600 and head towards the waterfall. Take the obligatory pictures on the bridge. Please do not climb off trail as this is wilderness. The waterfall can be crowded at times, so consider finding a place along Ramona Creek to stop for a picnic. Continue on Timberline Trail #600 for a short distance past the falls and then bear west (left) on the Ramona Falls Trail #797. This is considered the wet side of the loop where on a warm summer day, it is much cooler than the "dry" side. Head northwest on the Ramona Falls Trail #797 until you get to the PCT junction. Bear left (straight) at the PCT intersection towards the Ramona Falls parking lot (not towards Bald Mountain). Continue on the PCT heading southwest, and cross the creek again until you get to the Sandy River Trail #770. Turn right (west) onto the Sandy River Trail #770 and follow it back to the trailhead.
Oregon Geographic Names says that John E. Mills, a US Forest Service employee, discovered and named the falls on August 8, 1933, while locating trail. He was courting his wife-to-be Ramona.
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