Ramona Falls, Oregon

The Ramona Falls is a 37m tall waterfall on the Sandy River in the US State of Oregon. The Ramona Falls is located at an elevation of 1,090m within the Mount Hood Wilderness along the Pacific Crest Trail. Ramona Falls is within the jurisdiction of Oregon's Clackamas County, approximately 83 km from Portland and 349 km from Seattle, Washington.

Geography Of Ramona Falls

The Ramona Falls is 37 m tall and has several cascade walls. The Sandy River is characterized by its instability and strong currents, and hikers are encouraged to exercise caution on hikes. The area around the falls is surrounded by Douglas-Fir trees, Pinemat Manzanita leaves, and Reindeer Lichen fungus. Volcanic debris from two centuries ago is evident along the Sandy River. Oregon's Clackamas County experiences an average of 53 inches of rain per year, significantly more than the US average of 38. The climate of Clackamas County is characterized by warm summers and cool, rainy winters. 

History Of Ramona Falls

The volcanic eruptions in 1780 created a mudflow. This event inspired the name of the Sandy river, as Lewis and Clark called it, "Quicksand River." The name was later changed to the "Sandy River." The Ramona Falls was apparently named by US Forest Service worker John E. Mills in 1933. He named the falls after his late wife, Ramona. A hiker in 2014 was swept off a footbridge by rising storm waters and later drowned.

Layout Of Ramona Falls

Access to Ramona Falls is most commonly obtained through the 7-mile Ramona Falls Trailhead. Hikers are then required to go through the Sandy River Trail. This journey is characterized by unmaintained bridges, naturally occurring log bridges and mossy stone rock formations. There is also a string of andesite cliffs that one can see along the creek area. Hikers are encouraged to bring proper footwear and emergency supplies and to turn back during heavy rainfall.