It was fascinating hiking through the Oneonta Gorge which is in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon! I followed the trail by hiking through the bottom of the Oneonta Waterfall. Seriously, this was an unforgettable experience because this was my first semi-underwater hike. I didn’t have to worry about mud or contamination because at Oneonta Gorge the water was clean, transparent, and cold. But before I tell you all the details, let me start from the beginning.

Initially, I was a little apprehensive when I was hopping from rock to rock trying to avoid falling into the flowing stream of water. I wore black water sneakers, the ones with tiny holes on each side and a strap that wrapped securely around my ankles. The pool of water was not rough, so I didn’t risk being pulled away by the current. In fact, it was calm.

As I continued on my fun-filled journey, there were small silver fish that swam by in pairs and frogs that comfortably sat between the logs. The frogs were apparently not afraid of humans because they did not move when they saw me coming.

My first obstacle was hiking over a logjam that was stacked up very high. One wrong step and I could have fallen into a small hole of bumpy logs with rough edges that partially submerged in water. Naturally, the wooden logs were wet and slippery. Therefore, I had to stay 100% focused while doing this activity.

Once I conquered this obstacle, my next adventure began. I followed the trail by wading through the stream from the Oneonta Gorge. The journey was a mile long. At first, the water covered my knees. As I kept going, it eventually reached to my stomach. I didn’t dunk myself in because the water was crisp and cold. However, the temperature of the water was not enough to deter me from staying on the trail. I was enjoying this unique experience.

I continued along this path until finally, at last, I arrived at the Oneonta Waterfall! It was fantastic and well worth the trek! I was awestruck, as I stood there watching the slender waterfall go over the cliff. The gorge enclosed by large boulders and adorned with lush green forest plant life was stunning. It was majestic to stand at the very bottom of the waterfall and witness this scenic beauty firsthand.

The mist was refreshing as it sprinkled on my body. The pool was unbelievably calm despite the Oneonta Waterfall crashing into it. I stood there speechless. “Wow, only God could create such a beauty,” I thought to myself. The entire scene was picture perfect.

Here are a few tips if you are planning a trip to the Oneonta Gorge. Wear a swimsuit or swimsuit cover-up to wade through water. Leave a towel to dry off when you get back to your car. Water sneakers are a must for hiking over log jams and small rocks. If it is necessary, pack your medicine in your backpack. It may be a while before you receive medical attention due to the obstacles on the gorge.

Overall, I had a phenomenal time at the Oneonta Gorge!

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I am at the bottom of the Oneonta Waterfall.