Signs at the trail junction (Steve Hart)

The stone wall above the junction (Steve Hart)

• Hikes including this location:
  • Horsetail Falls Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Triple Falls Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Bell Creek Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Larch Mountain via Oneonta Trail Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Oneonta-Multnomah Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Nesmith-Oneonta Traverse Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Columbia Gorge Traverse Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.58696, -122.08246
• Elevation: 120 feet

Description

This is a trail junction on the Oneonta Trail with a lot of hidden interest nearby. The Oneonta Trail, which has been heading west to this point, switches back and heads upward toward the east heading eventually to Triple Falls and Larch Mountain. The Gorge Trail #400 continues in a westward direction virtually level.

Just above this junction is an old stone wall, now partially collapsed and covered with moss. A bit of investigation shows that the wall once extended much further to the east, across a small stream bed to the slope on the other side. The purpose of this wall is unknown. It might be part of the original wagon road that led through the Gorge, sometimes called the Sandy-The Dalles Wagon Road. On the other hand, it might be a retaining wall, built to protect the Columbia River Highway which lies directly below.

If you investigate the wall during a wet spring, you'll hear the unmistakable sound of a waterfall above you. Hiking up a little to the treeline reveals a rather tall, thin waterfall which seems to only be active during the really wet part of the year.

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)