Trip Report: Tamanawas Falls

--When, Where, Conditions-- When: November 2014 Location: A trail in the Mt. Hood Nat'l Forest Conditions: With the forecast showing 40 degrees and rainy, this trail required hiking boots tough enough to get wet and tread boulders. Duration: We took our time admiring mushrooms and hiking along the scenic Cold Spring Creek for a 3.6 mi. roundtrip hike. The duration of the hike was around two hours. --Helpful Info-- Difficulty: A short yet lovely hike, this one is recommended for all nature lovers. There has been request for trail tending on account that if you miss the small sign on the right, the old trail continues to follow the creek while the new trail heads uphill. Kid Friendly? Yes. Pet Friendly? Yep. Useful Links: Portland Hikers Field Guide The Report: For all ye Portland hikers, Tamanawas Falls is a must-see. A there and back trek to the 100 foot falls is an easy way to feel like you are in the wilderness when you are within 60 miles of Hood River and Portland. During the fall months, maple vine is changing to yellow and the mushroom varieties are prevalent. The first 1/2 mile hikes along highway 35, then takes a left into the woods for 2 miles. The trail leads you over bridges, next to canyons, through fallen boulders, all the while along Cold Spring Creek (which is so dang pretty). When my trail buddy and I finally made it to the falls, it looked like another one of nature's amphitheaters, a misty and echoing canyon with cliffs above and the creek below water falling one hundred feet of a lava cliff. During the spring/summer months, this may be a picnic hotspot. For sure-footed hikers, take the make-shift trail along the right side to access the terrain behind the waterfall. Bring the camera, ya'll! NW Forest Pass is required at the Sherwood Trailhead.