Ramona Falls

7 mile loop
about 1000 feet elevation gain

Sort of a boring hike to my favorite waterfall ever

Maybe it was because it was such an overcast day when we did this hike, but the hike to Ramona Falls isn't terribly exciting. It's not a bad hike at all, but it lacked some views that might be better on a clear day. But the waterfall? Stupendous.

Located off Lolo pass rd and a long bumpy gravel dumpy road, the trailhead is right along the Sandy River. You start here in a massive trailhead parking lot (this place gets popular).

The trail parking lot

At the trailhead as you enter the woods

You then follow the Sandy River up the trail for a long time. The river sits in its own eroded gully and it's kind of ugly if unique. Makes me wonder how big the flow gets during the melt.

 After following the river on the south side for a while, you have to cross it. In season, there is a footbridge over the river put there by volunteers once the river is low enough to not wash it away. I thought we were there after the bridge was down, but it hadn't been put out yet. This forced us to go upstream a bit and use one of the trees that fell over to shimmy across instead of getting wet. Once on the other side, you cross a big field again with little rock piles marking your path and head into the woods. You go a little ways and see a junction. One way follows the river, one Ramona creek. We took the river route and would come home the other way. From here to the waterfall it's mostly just woods hiking with occasional views of the river valley. Honestly the Sandy River is kind of ugly, even if the riverbed is unique looking. After most of the section you stop following the river and turn into the woods completely, round a corner, and see something through the trees. Up a little hill and you get the real mama view.

Tiny Dave in right corner for scale

Girlfriend for scale

Sucker is huge

Ramona Falls is a giant 100 foot  falls, cascades down the cliff face off the rocks and spreads out like a veil. Pictures don't do justice to how massive the falls is. Since it's in a small grove area, it's hard to take in the whole view at once.

After taking in the falls you can either go back the way you came (the short route) or follow Ramona creek downstream to where it eventually meets the Sandy. This portion of the hike is nicer than the Sandy portion, as Ramona creek is the classic mountain creek, slowly babbling and flowing around corners and over small rock falls, surrounded by moss and trees. You see some neat cliffs off to the right side at one point, then eventually you hook back up at the junction and make your way home.

The bridge at Ramona falls

The day just got uglier as we went

SUCH A GREAT DAY TO HIKE

Ramona falls is a nice hike, probably better on a clear day. It has some options for adventure with the river crossing. It's not a big workout at only 1000 feet elevation but it's a solid distance, so the hour drive from PDX feels like you didn't get cheated. The waterfall is outstanding. It might not have the ambiance and atmosphere of Elowah, my other favorite falls, but it looks way prettier.