Check out my winter guide to Tamanawas Falls hike or keep reading for spring conditions.
A couple weeks ago, before all the snow around Mt. Hood had melted completed (good news: it’s snowing again right now!), I headed out with friends for a winter / birthday adventure. Most of the places along that trip have already made it into past posts that I’ll skip rehashing today but there is one stop definitely worth sharing with you: 100+ foot high Tamanawas Falls. While it’s not the big climb I usually talk about here, the falls were one of my first hikes ever in Oregon and a trail worth adding to your list!
Located behind Mount Hood between Government Camp and Hood River on highway 35, it would be easy to miss Tamanawas Falls if not for the line of cars parked at the trailhead on a nice day (even still, slow down after the Sherwood Campground or you’ll fly by). On a winter Tuesday with patches of snow on the ground but no longer piles on the mountain, we had the place pretty much to ourselves however allowing for a relaxed, chatty trek up the very mild trail.
Stepping out of the car and past the signpost and info board, the trail immediately cuts into the forest with light shining in above over what was just little bits of snow at that point — it’s quite the picture route! After meandering towards the mountain (there’s never really a view of Hood but you know it’s up there, somewhere) for a few minutes, the trail comes to the first of two bridges and the inevitable photo-stop with it. But don’t pause too long, the second bridge to come is even better and requires just a few more minutes of moving along bits of light grade on the otherwise flat route.
After stops at the second bridge to capture some slow-motion takes of of the rushing river, it was back on the trail. Here we had gained just enough elevation and movement towards the mountain for the snow to finally started to collect up enough to give a winter hike experience for the rest of the route.
By the time we reached the rock field a few minutes later (about 2/3rds in), the ground was completely covered up and winter = found! Between warm day temps and cold ground, there was a fair amount of effort required not to slip and slide, almost worthy of pulling out micro-spikes for (if I had remembered them from the car that was). Going back down slipping and sliding just made the trip faster… and way more fun. With a little higher snowfall, I’d consider stopping here just to play.
The rock section lasts just two switch back lengths before transitioning out to a ridge-like section of the hike which is equally devious under snow as if the trail wants to see who it can make fall (it wasn’t me, for once). But, after another 10 or so minutes and a few more small hills, the falls come into view from behind the trees.
Despite snow most of the way up and on the rocks around the falls themselves, little remained at the top so I guess this one is still on my list to capture properly. In summer or when the conditions are less rain soaked, you can scramble all the way up and behind the falls for a great view down and back thru… in winter, better bring the gortex for that one, we were soaked quick enough just taking photos from the front and retreated back, to play in the snow again!
Quick facts about the trail:
- Official Rating: Moderate (in winter)
- Start point: Marked TH on Highway 35 at milepost 72
- Distance: 4.0 miles R/T
- Duration: 2+ hours
- Climb: ~600′ effective climb
- Terrain: Packed to deep snow
- Crowds: Moderate to Busy
- Recommended time: Weekdays
- Facilities: None
- Parking: Large lot, subject to snow
- Permits: Recreation Pass / Oregon Sno-Park Pass (see signs)
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