Oneonta Gorge - The hike that has it all!
Written: Jun 24 '02 (Updated Jun 24 '02)
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Pros: Beautiful jewel of a hike with a surprise at the end - great for summer!
Cons: You need to know how to scale rock and swim to complete the hike.
The Bottom Line: Oneonta Gorge is a hidden gem - a miniature canyon to hike and swim with a wonderful surprise ending for those that persevere!
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| hempem's Full Review: Crown Point State Scenic Corridor |
The Columbia River Gorge is breathtaking. I live in paradise, and I kid you not. Portland, Oregon is a lush, green, clean city that I wax eloquent about to anyone who will listen (or read). From my home I can see Mt. Saint Helens, the active volcano, and the steeply rising hills that border the Columbia River on both sides offer a multitude of hiking experiences for anyone to enjoy.
The most popular attraction is Multnomah Falls. If you take I-84 Eastbound from Portland, it is about 32 miles away and it is truly breathtaking - I still visit it regularly and let the mist hit my face while nibbling on a chocolate-dipped cone from the refreshment shack! If I feel in the mood for a somewhat moderate but uphill hike, I climb all the way to the top and look down at the ant-like figures below.
But this review is going to reveal a hike that is not as well known. I literally stumbled across this place while driving slowly (annoyingly so to other drivers, I'm sure) along the scenic Columbia River Highway along the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor. Mind you, I have lived in Portland all of my life, and I had never heard of this place - this gem of a hike that I've since brought countless friends to enjoy.
Basically, I suddenly saw a GAP - a miniature canyon in the side of the hill. It is only 20 feet wide and several times as deep. The canyon walls are high and there is a stream running along the base - your visibility is probably only 20 feet ahead of you at all times since the canyon twists and turns a few times before reaching a surprise ending!
I put some old tennis shoes on and proceeded to climb down the hillside until I was standing in the middle of the stream, which is Oneonta Creek. You must be willing to get totally soaked if you take this hike. The canyon floor was littered with some amazingly large boulders that I had to climb up and over. All the while the canyon walls loom high above you and the sun reveals they are wet and covered with moss. I thought I was not going to be able to hike any further when the canyon became so narrow that there was only water, and it was over my head in depth. I decided to try and scale the rock wall, which was rather smooth and it was difficult to find footholds. By the time I could see that the canyon did get wider up ahead I just jumped off the wall into the water and swam for several yards until things opened up into a beautiful round space with a gorgeous waterfall at the end!
I was stunned! I got up and there was plenty of room to walk around or sit on dry rocks, and there were several people sitting there already enjoying the sanctuary - and I mean sanctuary - it was like an outdoor cathedral complete with rainbow from the sun shining through the mist and high ceiling and stone walls - all in a perfect circle! The hike is like a thermometer of sorts with a narrow entrance and then a full, rounded cavern and waterfall at the end.
After drying off in the sun, I chose not to attempt to scale the rock but just swim my way out. By that time I was shivering cold, since Portland only gets really warm about once or twice a year, and this was not one of those times!
Skill level:
This is a hike for relatively advanced hikers since it requires some rock scaling, swimming, and you need to be in great shape to complete it.
Cautions:
There is always danger in getting completely soaked on a day in Portland that isn't warm enough to dry you off. This hike is not a terribly long one, but hiking back while drenched is quite a challenge. Your feet blister easily. I did find that the water was ICE COLD and my body shivered as a result!! If you go, be ready to get wet and wear appropriate rock-climbing shoes. Don't carry a wallet with you unless you have a waterproof pack.
This is NOT a child friendly hike.
Directions:
From I-84 East out of Portland, take exit 35. Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway west for 1.5 miles to the parking lot at Horsetail Falls. To the LEFT you will find the entrance to Oneonta and see the little canyon winding back into the hillside.
HAPPY HIKING!!
~Melissa
"hempem"
____________________________________________________________
Money Magazine's Best Big City 2000? Portland, Oregon! (Part 1)
http://www.epinions.com/content_64158862980
Money Magazine's Best Big City 2000? Portland, Oregon! (Part 2: Attack of the Quirky)
http://www.epinions.com/content_65205407364
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: June-August
Recommended for: Couples
Review Topic: Hiking & Trails
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hempem
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Location: Beautiful Northwest
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You are not superior just because you see the world in an odious light.
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