Oneonta Gorge The Oneonta Gorge is a picturesque canyon residing in the Columbia River chasm area of the American state of Oregon. This area, being a habitat of unique aquatic and woodland plants, has been designated as a botanical area. Oneonta Gorge is known as “one of the true dramatic chasms in the state.”. Aspire Global International LTD (or 'The Company') is a company registered in Malta for the purposes of operating online games and mobile application games with registration number C42296 and registered office at 135 High Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Street Sliema Malta. Backpacking Over 30 trails in the Gorge offer opportunities for backpacking, and some of these trails connect to the Mount Hood or Gifford Pinchot National Forests. Our backcountry hikes are those most affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.

1. Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Rafting
2. Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge National Park
3. Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Campground
4. Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Cabins

Welcome to Canyoneering Northwest, the first website devoted to sharing information and ideas for exploring the canyons of the northwest. The purpose of this site is to encourage canyon exploration, share beta, exchange ideas, provide trip reports, help northwest canyoneers connect with one another, and promote safe and responsible canyoneering. This site is guided by the ideals of openness and sharing. It is intended to be noncompetitive and nonjudgmental.

The word canyoneering as used here refers to both technical and nontechnical aspects of the sport. This site includes canyons that are easy, hard, wet or dry. The northwest includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Canada.

This sight consists primarily of route descriptions and suggested places for canyon exploration. Canyoneering in the northwest is in its infancy. Only a tiny fraction of the possibilities have any record of descent by canyoneers. If any one reads one of the prospects on this site and goes out and descends it before the rest of us, be assured that no ones feelings will be hurt. Please provide a trip report in order to share your experience with others.

In the brief time that this website has been in existence, it has improved and expanded due to the generous contributions of people who have supplied route descriptions, canyon beta, pictures and suggestions. Credit is always given unless people wish to remain anonymous. Canyoneeringnorthwest is not about the adventures of any one person. The future usefulness of the website will depend on the active participation and openness of northwest canyoneers. There are too few of us to form cliques and keep canyons secret from one another. Please share your canyon explorations with all in a spirit of generosity and goodwill. All trip reports are gratefully accepted and can be e-mailed to canyoneeringnorthwest@yahoo.com

July 14, 2015

A hidden slot canyon beckons hardy hikers

Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Rafting

By Megan Hill

Photo at right: Lush rare botanical flora hangs from the basalt walls of Oneonta Gorge. Photo by Warren Morgan. Courtesy of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, www.gorgefriends.org

The Oneonta Gorge traces a narrow capillary, branching off from the main artery of the Columbia River along the Washington-Oregon border. Designated as a botanical area by the U.S. Forest Service, the 25 million year old basalt canyon is host to unique species of aquatic and woodland ferns, lichens and mosses that grow only in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Oneonta Gorge is also a favorite among hikers for its quartet of waterfalls, however, the Lower Oneonta Falls is the only one accessible directly through the Gorge.

Oneonta Gorge Trail

The first of four falls, the 100-foot high Lower Oneonta Falls is tucked at the far end of the slot canyon and tumbles over lush moss-covered walls. Middle and Upper Oneonta Falls, as well as Triple Falls, sit above the canyon and can be accessed via a different trail system that runs above the Gorge.

A verdant slot canyon beckons scores of hardy hikers for photos of the iconic Lower Oneonta Falls, but this hike is anything but a stroll along a traditional dirt trail. Oneonta Creek is your pathway and you’ll follow it upstream toward the sound of falling water. The hike is less than a mile roundtrip and the waterfall is a mossy gem tucked into the far end of the canyon.

You’ll descend a set of stone steps near the bridge crossing the mouth of Oneonta Creek. Walk along the creek for a few dry yards until you reach a large unstable wall of logs. Navigate this obstacle carefully as the jumble of logs and boulders identifies this section as the most challenging for visitors.

After the log jam be prepared for the best part of the hike—walking along the river bed. If the creek is running low, you’ll hit occasional dry spots otherwise you’ll feel like an intrepid jungle explorer as you ply the sometimes chest-high waters of the Gorge making your way upstream to the waterfall.

Be prepared to protect electronics and other essentials by bringing along a waterproof pack or bag. Wear sturdy shoes knowing they will get wet, preferably paired with neoprene water socks.

The best time to visit the Gorge is during the summer months when the water level is low and the weather is warm. Other times of the year the creek runs too high for safe trekking and is simply too cold for the duration of the hike.

Because the hike is easily accessible and close to the popular Multnomah Falls, many people hike the canyon to enjoy its cool walls and water during the warm summer season. Opt for an early morning on a weekend or on a weekday for a quieter hike.

Trails and waterfalls above the Oneonta Gorge

To see Oneonta Gorge from above, head to the Horsetail Falls Trail. This easy, 2.6-mile loop is rewarding because you’ll pass three waterfalls and glimpse Oneonta Gorge from above.

You’ll start at the thundering 176-foot Horsetail Falls, climbing a few gentle switchbacks before reaching a junction at 0.2 miles. Bear right toward the 80-foot Ponytail Falls. Here, the trail notches into the canyon wall allowing hikers to venture behind the spray of the falls.

Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge National Park

You’ll parallel the highway for a short distance before turning deeper into the forest and above the Gorge. The trail leads to a footbridge spanning Oneonta Creek and Lower Oneonta Falls below, where you can peer into
the Gorge.

After you cross the bridge, you have an optional side trip to the left, toward Middle and Upper Oneonta Falls and Triple Falls. Alternatively, you can walk along the road on a sidewalk most of the way back to Horsetail Falls and the highway.

Trip Details/Resources

Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Campground

Distance: 0.6 miles round trip along the creek bed.
Trailhead Directions: From Portland, follow I-84 to exit 35 toward Historic Hwy/Ainsworth State Park. Turn right onto Historic Columbia River Highway, following signs for Multnomah Falls. Oneonta Gorge will be signed on your left after the tunnel.
Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge-West #428S
Contacts: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa

Resources

www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike53.html
www.world-of-waterfalls.com/
pacific-northwest-lower-oneonta-falls.html
www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Columbia_River_Gorge_Hikes
More Columbia Gorge hikes can be found at: www.oregonhikers.org and www.wta.org

Slot Canyon Columbia River Gorge Cabins

Megan Hill is a Seattle-based freelance writer. She specializes in writing about food, travel, and the outdoors. www.meganhillfreelancewriter.com