Bell Creek Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
| This page is marked as a Closed Hike. Some or all of this hike has been closed by a governing body and hikers may be liable for fines or even arrest. At least part of this route may be dangerous and hard to follow, or it may cross areas with sensitive plant life or wildlife habitat. Trailkeepers of Oregon does not endorse or recommend hiking this route. When restrictions are lifted, this notice will be removed. |
- Start point: Oneonta Trailhead
- End point: Oneonta-Bell Creek Trail Junction
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Dogbone (Out to a loop and back)
- Distance: 17 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 3330 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: May-Oct
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Crowded to Triple Falls
Contents |
Hike Description
NOTICE: This trail is closed until further notice because of damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Please check the list of Columbia Gorge trail closures before you plan for a hike.
This hike visits some of the best stands of old growth in the Columbia River Gorge. You'll visit low level old growth and higher level old growth hemlock forests. There's a couple of waterfalls, creekside climbs and a tricky ford of Oneonta Creek.
Oneonta Trail #424 starts climbing gently to a junction with Gorge Trail #400. The trail climbs to a shelf above the Columbia River where a side trail leads to viewpoints. Continuing on, the trail clings the the side of Oneonta Canyon, high above hidden Oneonta Gorge below. Soon, there's a junction with Horsetail Falls Trail #438. Triple Falls comes next, followed by a bridge over Oneonta Creek. The trails then follows the east side of the creek to another bridge over Oneonta Creek. There's another trail junction, this time with Horsetail Creek Trail #425.
For this hike, turn left on Horsetail Creek trail and come quickly to the Oneonta Creek Ford. The ford is handled best in times of low water. It's better to make the loop in this direction, so you can choose a different path without being stranded. After crossing the creek, you'll switchback up like crazy for at least 20 switchbacks. After 2.3 miles, you'll turn right on Bell Creek Trail #459.
Bell Creek Trail continues the climb. Soon you'll enter what is arguably the best stand of old-growth in the entire Columbia Gorge area. Traversing across the upper basin of Oneonta Canyon through stands of huge hemlocks and firs, you'll cross several open scree fields, and navigate spring soaked wetlands ringed by towering cedars. After 3 miles and two footbridges, you'll come to a junction with the Oneonta Trail #424.
Turn right here and start down the mountain. You'll climb a bit and pass a couple more trail junctions. Keep to Trail #424 and soon you'll drop off the east side of Franklin Ridge back into Oneonta Canyon. Several viewpoints along the way allow you to look out across the canyon and back to your route. Continue down the Oneonta Trail to your car.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees and regulations
- None
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Bell Creek
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Bell Creek
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- None known
More Links
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)