Tamanawas Falls Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Sherwood Trailhead
- End Point: Tamanawas Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 3.6 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 590 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Open late Spring through late Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes - Cold Spring Creek trail continues to Elk Meadows
- Crowded: On Summer weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
Winter floods have washed away the bridge at the Sherwood Trailhead, and it is not safe to ford the East Fork in this location. Instead, you can begin this hike at the Polallie Trailhead, and hike south 1.2 miles on the East Fork Trail (no. 650) to the junction with the Cold Springs Trail (no. 650A), just beyond a crossing of Cold Spring Creek. This alternate trailhead adds one mile to the round-trip hike to the falls and about 100 feet additional elevation gain. (observed 1-1-07)
Tamanawas Falls forms a broad curtain where Cold Spring Creek thunders over a 150’ lava cliff near the eastern base of Mount Hood. This hike along scenic Cold Spring Creek has been a traditional trek for families.
The hike begins at the Sherwood Trailhead. From the large parking area, walk through the woods toward the roaring East Fork of the Hood River to find the trail, where it crosses the raging stream on a log bridge. Turn right after crossing the bridge, and follow the East Fork Trail (no. 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. The trail drops gently, and soon reaches the junction with the Cold Springs Trail (no. 650A), where you head straight (left) toward 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.
After crossing the creek, the trail ambles upstream, always within sight of the noisy stream, which tumbles over a series of tiny waterfalls. At 1.5 miles beginning climbing above the creek on a section of new trail. Pass the continuation of the Cold Spring Creek trail on the right, and continue on the spur to Tamanawas Falls, crossing the upper reach of the large rock fall for a quarter mile. Beyond the rock fall, the trail enters forest, and soon arrives at a fine view upstream to Tamanawas Falls, at the 2 mile mark. From here, you can simply enjoy the falls from the trail, or follow one of the use paths for a closer look. Sure-footed hikers can climb the talus to the right of the falls to reach the amphitheater behind the falls.
To complete the hike, simply return along the same route.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required at Sherwood Trailhead. Leash recommended for dogs.
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Guidebooks that cover this destination
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland by Paul Gerald
More Links
Page Contributors
- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)
- Greglief (Greg Lief) (additional photos)