Triple Falls

Columbia River Gorge / Oneonta Gorge, Oregon, USA

About Triple Falls


Hiking Distance: 3.6 miles round trip
Suggested Time: 2 hours

Date first visited: 2009-03-30
Date last visited: 2017-08-17

Waterfall Latitude: 45.57854
Waterfall Longitude: -122.07252

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Triple Falls was definitely one of the more distinct waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge area.

While most of the falls in this waterfall-rich area could be all similar in appearance with either a straight plunge or sloping cascade, Triple Falls featured a three-segment drop of the Oneonta Creek that pretty much lived up to its name.

Triple_Falls_CRG_071_08172017 - Triple Falls in late Summer flow as of August 2017
Triple Falls in late Summer flow as of August 2017

With a reported height ranging from as little as 64ft to as much as 100ft, it was arguably up there with Lower Oneonta Falls as the most beautiful of the four officially-named waterfalls on Oneonta Creek.

Since it was the furthest of the waterfalls on Oneonta Creek, that also meant that it required the most effort to reach.

According to the signage at the trailhead, the hike was at least 1.8 miles each way (or 3.6 miles round trip).

However, my GPS logs started becoming inaccurate due to the rugged and steep terrain which undermined the satellite reception in some stretches. Therefore, I couldn’t test the claims made by the signage.

Columbia_River_Gorge_338_03302009 - Triple Falls when we first saw it back in late March 2009
Triple Falls when we first saw it back in late March 2009

Nevertheless, the hike also involved quite a bit of climbing with a net gain of over 600ft in stretches that were steep with some degree of unsure footing as well as a few undulations (i.e. up and down sections).

The Triple Falls Hike Description – Initial Ascent and the Viewpoint

I began the hike from the Oneonta Gorge Trailhead (see directions below), which promptly started climbing a long incline.

The trail quickly rose well above the Historic Columbia River Highway as the path continued heading west before reaching a trail junction at about 0.3-mile from the trailhead.

Keeping left to make a sharp turn (essentially making this a switchback), the trail climbed some more as it approached the Oneonta Gorge.

Triple_Falls_CRG_116_08172017 - Looking west along the Columbia River from the 'viewpoint' near the mouth of the Oneonta Gorge
Looking west along the Columbia River from the ‘viewpoint’ near the mouth of the Oneonta Gorge

At about a half-mile from the trailhead, just when the trail was about to bend and turn into the Oneonta Gorge, I noticed signed spurs saying “Viewpoint”.

The spur trail descended to the left and revealed glimpses of the Columbia River Gorge looking west.

With a little more scrambling on use trails, I was ultimately able to reach a precarious rock outcrop with a sheer drop below and a commanding view of the Columbia River and its surroundings in both directions.

When I had my fill of these views, I returned the way I came.

Triple_Falls_CRG_118_08172017 - Looking east along the Columbia River from the 'viewpoint' near the mouth of the Oneonta Gorge
Looking east along the Columbia River from the ‘viewpoint’ near the mouth of the Oneonta Gorge

That said, in hindsight, I realized that the spur trail actually regained the Oneonta Gorge Trail in a different spot than when I initially made my deviation.

Therefore, to complete the detour, I didn’t have to go back exactly the way I came (which would have saved a few minutes, I’d imagine).

Either way, I continued hiking towards the Triple Falls as the trail now skirted along the Oneonta Gorge.

The Triple Falls Hike Description – Trail Junctions at the Mouth of the Oneonta Gorge

The trail continued to climb, but it was a little more gradual than the steeper incline in the beginning.

After about 0.6 miles from the trailhead (or 0.1-mile from the viewpoint detour), I reached another signposted trail junction.

Triple_Falls_CRG_043_08172017 - The Middle Oneonta Falls seen roughly after the first 1/3 of the Triple Falls hike
The Middle Oneonta Falls seen roughly after the first 1/3 of the Triple Falls hike

The trail to the left descended a couple of switchbacks before reaching a footbridge with the Middle Oneonta Falls just upstream from it.

Just downstream from this bridge was the brink of the Lower Oneonta Falls, which I could hear but couldn’t see.

While there were some sketchy use trails that appeared to scramble closer to Oneonta Creek by that waterfall, I didn’t pursue them.

Meanwhile, beyond the bridge, the trail would climb some more switchbacks before heading east towards the Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls.

Since I was more focused on the Triple Falls, I turned around and headed back up to the Oneonta Gorge Trail to resume the hike.

The Triple Falls Hike Description – The Oneonta Gorge to Triple Falls

Triple_Falls_CRG_104_08172017 - A rock slide traverse that was around the half-way point of the Triple Falls hike
A rock slide traverse that was around the half-way point of the Triple Falls hike

The trail continued climbing as it followed a lush terrain flanked by steep slopes with the odd vertical cliff.

After another quarter-mile or so, the trail then reachd a narrow and fairly precarious traverse of a rock slide.

The rocks here were loose and trail work had been done to flatten out the trail surface as much as possible.

I had to make this traverse, which led to a steep and somewhat eroded switchback before continuing on.

At this point, the trail now hugged even narrower ledges as the terrain somewhat undulated before crossing a couple of bridges (with Upper Oneonta Falls heard but unseen way down below) at roughly another quarter-mile beyond the slide area.

Triple_Falls_CRG_062_08172017 - One of a handful of steep switchbacks on the way to Triple Falls beyond the trail junction with the Horsetail Falls Trail
One of a handful of steep switchbacks on the way to Triple Falls beyond the trail junction with the Horsetail Falls Trail

Beyond the bridges, the trail then ascended steeply up another pair of switchbacks before finally peaking.

Shortly thereafter, the trail reached an unsigned spur on the left at around 1.2 miles from the trailhead.

The spur led down to a sloping informal lookout area peering right down at the impressive Triple Falls.

There was a little wooden plank seemingly partially buried within this lookout area perhaps hinting at some infrastructure that was once set up here to facilitate viewing the Triple Falls from here.

However, I suspected that erosion over time did away with that so now I had to use my best judgement to get the good views while being careful not get too close to the edge as the cliff dropped right into Oneonta Creek.

Triple_Falls_CRG_086_08172017 - Context of some remnant planks half-buried in the lookout for Triple Falls
Context of some remnant planks half-buried in the lookout for Triple Falls

Although the Oneonta Trail kept going further towards a footbridge just upstream of the falls (which I could see from this viewpoint), this was my turnaround point of the hike.

With the exception of a few short climbs, the return hike was mostly downhill on the way back to the trailhead.

Thus, I was able to do the hike back a bit faster than hiking to the Triple Falls.

When I returned to the car, I wound up spending about 2 hours in total on the trail hiking solo.

And since each time I did this hike was in the early morning, I found myself alone on the trail for long stretches.

Triple_Falls_CRG_081_08172017 - Contextual look at Triple Falls in late Summer flow as of August 2017
Contextual look at Triple Falls in late Summer flow as of August 2017

That said, had I started later in the day, then there would likely be more people on the trail.

And under those circumstances, then I could foresee moments where I might encounter hikers going in opposite directions at narrow parts of the trail that would require coordination in order to squeeze past each other.

The Aftermath of the Eagle Creek Arson Fire

Finally, I have to make one final comment about this hike.

The arson-caused Eagle Creek Fire that started in early September happened before I was able to publish a major update to this writeup.

As a result of the fire, the Oneonta Gorge was scorched so it wasn’t surprising that the trail was closed for an extended period of time, especially considering the steep terrain.

Triple_Falls_CRG_054_08172017 - Without vegetation to stabilize the soil (burned off by the Eagle Creek Fire), sections of the Oneonta Gorge Trail to the Triple Falls like this would be too dangerous
Without vegetation to stabilize the soil (burned off by the Eagle Creek Fire), sections of the Oneonta Gorge Trail to the Triple Falls like this would be too dangerous

After all, the lack of vegetation will destabilize the soil, and inevitably landslides undermining the usability of the trail would occur.

The forest service worked hard to re-open the trail, where it took about 4 years to make that happen.

So this gives you an idea of how long it takes for trails to re-open after events such as a wildfire (regardless of whether it’s an act of vandalism or Global Warming or both).

However, limited access does extend to other impacts, especially caused by irresponsible behavior exacerbated by social media viral phenomena (such as is the case with the Lower Oneonta Gorge) along with the associated crowds they attract.

Authorities

Triple Falls resides in the Oneonta Gorge section of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Triple_Falls_CRG_003_08172017 - Signage at the Oneonta Trailhead as of my August 2017 hike. This photo and the next several photos were taken on that day
Triple_Falls_CRG_004_08172017 - Closer look at the Oneonta Trail sign letting me know the distances involved
Triple_Falls_CRG_007_08172017 - The Oneonta Trail quickly climbed high above the Historic Columbia River Highway
Triple_Falls_CRG_009_08172017 - At about 0.3 miles out, I reached this signed trail junction, where I switched back to the left
Triple_Falls_CRG_019_08172017 - The trail continuing to climb and hug ledges as it approached the Oneonta Gorge during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_023_08172017 - Sign on a tree indicating a detour descending towards some 'Viewpoint', which I only noticed during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_027_08172017 - This was my first taste of the 'Viewpoint' near the mouth of the Oneonta Gorge, which looked over the Columbia River and some railroad tracks
Triple_Falls_CRG_108_08172017 - Context of the informal use trail and the cliff exposure while pursuing the 'Viewpoint' during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_109_08172017 - One of the views across the Columbia River in the vicinity of the 'Viewpoint' as seen on my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_105_08172017 - This was the sign on the other side of the 'Viewpoint' detour when I came back to it on the return hike from Triple Falls in August 2017
Triple_Falls_CRG_031_08172017 - The Oneonta Trail now entered the Oneonta Gorge and followed along its contours as I proceeded towards Triple Falls during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_034_08172017 - At the next trail junction where dropping down to the left led to the Middle Oneonta Falls and eventually the Ponytail and Horsetail Falls
Triple_Falls_CRG_036_08172017 - Approaching the bridge over the Oneonta Creek on the short side detour leading to the Middle Oneonta Falls on my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_037_08172017 - Context of the Middle Oneonta Falls and the footbridge over Oneonta Creek as seen during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_041_08172017 - Looking downstream from the bridge towards the unseen brink of the Lower Oneonta Falls during my visit in August 2017
Triple_Falls_CRG_047_08172017 - Continuing on the Triple Falls hike as it followed along lush slopes flanking the odd moss-covered cliff from time to time. This was how I saw it during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_049_08172017 - Traversing a somewhat precarious rockslide area past the half-way point to Triple Falls during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_052_08172017 - Towards one end of the rockslide area, there was this slick eroded switchback en route to Triple Falls as seen during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_058_08172017 - The Oneonta Trail continued to climb the further I went to Triple Falls during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_059_08172017 - The Oneonta Trail combined up a couple more switchbacks en route to Triple Falls during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_066_08172017 - Some small fallen trees that I had to duck under along the Oneonta Trail, showing the somewhat wild and remote nature of the Triple Falls hike as seen during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_067_08172017 - Context of the semi-eroded lookout area and the Triple Falls during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_068_08172017 - Looking back at a fallen-tree obstacle that I had to crawl on the way to the Triple Falls lookout (as well as on the way back) during my August 2017 hike
Triple_Falls_CRG_069_08172017 - Checking out Triple Falls when I wasn't quite out to the edge during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_080_08172017 - Focused look at Triple Falls in late Summer flow in August 2017
Triple_Falls_CRG_088_08172017 - An interesting little neon bug crawling about by the Oneonta Trail seen on the way back from Triple Falls during my August 2017 visit
Triple_Falls_CRG_114_08172017 - Back at the 'Viewpoint' by the mouth of Oneonta Gorge with this portrait view revealing the context of the Old Columbia River Highway with a neighboring railroad and the Columbia River itself in the distance
Columbia_River_Gorge_298_03302009 - Sign at the Oneonta Trailhead as seen in late March 2009. The rest of the photos from this gallery were from this day
Columbia_River_Gorge_299_03302009 - This was what the Oneonta Trail looked like in the early Spring when Julie and I first did this hike back in late March 2009
Columbia_River_Gorge_299_03302009 - This was a look along the Oneonta Trail when I first did this hike in March 2009
Columbia_River_Gorge_304_03302009 - One of the branches of the first trail junction led to this bridge over the Oneonta Gorge itself.  This would lead to Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls instead of Triple Falls. This photo was taken in late March 2009
Columbia_River_Gorge_302_03302009 - As a precursor to the flow of Triple Falls, we did a brief detour to check out the Middle Oneonta Falls before continuing to the Triple Falls during our hike in late March 2009
Columbia_River_Gorge_317_03302009 - When I first did the Triple Falls hike back in late March 2009, I actually encountered this patch of snow
Columbia_River_Gorge_319_03302009 - Passing by a part of the Triple Falls Trail which went by this moss-covered cliff during our hike in late March 2009
Columbia_River_Gorge_321_03302009 - Looking towards Oneonta Creek somewhere closer to Triple Falls (seen in March 2009)
Columbia_River_Gorge_330_03302009 - Back in late March 2009, here's a look at Triple Falls with a smaller companion waterfall nearby
Columbia_River_Gorge_331_03302009 - Composed look at a more full Triple Falls in late March 2009 with some context
Columbia_River_Gorge_347_03302009 - Focused look at the Triple Falls when it was in high flow in late March 2009


The small trailhead parking area for the Oneonta Trail was about 0.5 mile west of the Horsetail Falls parking lot and 2 miles east of the parking lot for the Multnomah Falls Lodge along the Historic Columbia River Highway (or Old Scenic Highway).

Coming from the east, we would take exit 35 (Ainsworth State Park) off the westbound I-84, then follow the NE Frontage Road for about 1.7 miles to the parking lot for Horsetail Falls.

Triple_Falls_CRG_001_08172017 - Context of the limited parking spaces along the Historic Columbia River Highway and the Oneonta Gorge Trail to Triple Falls opposite the road
Context of the limited parking spaces along the Historic Columbia River Highway and the Oneonta Gorge Trail to Triple Falls opposite the road

From there, we’d then continue the remaining half-mile to the Oneonta Gorge Trailhead.

The freeway exit was about 9 miles (15 minutes drive) west of Cascade Locks.

Coming from the west, we accessed the Old Columbia River Highway by taking the Bridal Veil Exit (exit 28) off the eastbound I-84.

At the next junction, we’d then keep left to follow the Old Columbia River Highway east for about 5 miles to the Oneonta Gorge Trailhead on the left.

Triple_Falls_CRG_121_08172017 - Context of the limited parking spaces opposite the Oneonta Gorge Trail leading to the Triple Falls
Context of the limited parking spaces opposite the Oneonta Gorge Trail leading to the Triple Falls

The exit 28 was about 25 miles (about 30 minutes drive without traffic) east of Portland, where the I-84 freeway began.

For some geographical context, Portland was about 49 miles (over an hour drive) west of Cascade Locks, 75 miles (90 minutes drive) west of Hood River, 80 miles (1.5 hours drive) east of Cannon Beach, 112 miles (under 2 hours drive) north of Eugene, 274 miles (over 4 hours drive) north of Medford, 173 miles (about 2.5 hours drive) south of Seattle, Washington, 440 miles (7 hours drive) west of Boise, Idaho, and 423 miles (6.5 hours drive) north of Redding, California.

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Fully checking out the Triple Falls from the precarious lookout


Checking out the Oneonta Falls in every way possible from the bridge

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Tagged with: columbia river gorge, oneonta, multnomah, oregon, waterfall, pacific northwest



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Closed February 10, 2020 5:27 pm by Little Bohah - Due to the 2017 Eagle Creek fire ... this trail has been closed indefinitely :( ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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