Triple Falls

This year I'm trying to get together with Tristan at least once a month.  We've come up with a schedule to meet one day every fourth weekend of the month.  Our get together's (gt's as we call them) usually begin with lunch out and then an activity such as a movie, bike riding, hiking, etc.  Sometimes we'll even invite Sione to lunch and an activity, like us all going to see Avatar in 3D.

Last weekend, May 22, Tristan and I hiked to Triple Falls along the Columbia Gorge after first lunching at McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale.  The day was mostly cloudy with intermittent showers and a few sun breaks.  Regardless, the trail and falls were popular with hikers and their dogs as well as a photo club taking pictures of Horsetail Falls.  Neither of us had previously been to Triple Falls so it was nice to experience a first time event together.


I had done an internet search for hikes in the Portland Metro area and stumbled on this hike.  At about 4 or 4.5 miles round trip, (2 or 2.5 hrs.), and an elevation gain of 560 or 700 ft., (depending on which web site you visit) I thought this would be a good starter hike for me since I'm not in all that good of condition despite my fitness club membership.  Unfortunately, the reviews did not indicate that most of the 700 ft. (or 560 ft.) elevation would occur in the first half mile.  Needless to say I was huffing and puffing and sweating like a stuck pig fifteen minutes into the hike.  Thank god the trail leveled out when it did and the weather was damp and mostly cloudy or I would surely have expired on the spot!  And of course I did not bring an extra t-shirt and shirt so I drove home in soaking wet clothes.

Despite my poor physical conditioning and bruised big toe due to too-small hiking boots, I really enjoyed the hike.  I was in awe of the rugged beauty and diversity of life along the trail.  We did not backtrack the trail at upper Oneonta Falls like the reviews suggested but instead ended up at the Columbia Gorge Highway at the Oneonta Falls parking lot, not the Horsetail Falls lot, which required us to walk along the old highway back to Horsetail Falls parking.  Am not sure if that was wise or not until I do the hike again.  And next time I will definitely walk up the Oneonta Gorge to view Oneonta Falls.


More pictures of Tristan's and my hike can be viewed on my Picasa Web album site.  For this and other local (Portland Metro area) hikes go here to whet your appetite.