Tumalt Creek was called Thunder Creek on the 1916 USGS Map. It had gone by a number of different names over the years, including Devil's Creek and Devil's Slide Creek.

"The turbulent summer rivulet, and fierce winter torrent which descends in a dash of spray and foam from the steep slopes of Yeon Peak has been termed 'Tumalt creek' in place of 'Devils Slide' creek. Tumalt was an Indian of the Wahclella tribe who dwelt on the beach near the mouth of this creek. He rendered material aid to some of the white settlers in escaping from the savages at the Cascades massacre in 1856. He was so unfortunate as to return, and in the heat of the excitement following the defeat of the Indians by the troops, was executed as a participant in the uprising. The high rock pinnacles midway between Multnomah falls and Oneonta gorge have been named 'Winema,' a Lutuamian term meaning chieftainess, and applicable because of a mythical tale in which a maiden rallied her tribesmen and inflicted defeat on a band of invaders. She fellin the battle, and Talapus raised the pinnacles where she fell."

In the late 2013 or early 2014, another fairly large mud flow came down Tumalt Creek and buried the old highway in mud. Signs of this flow are still there in January 2015.

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"...the Tumalt Creek arena ... offer[s] superb and isolated off-trail Gorge scrambling to the extreme degree. When venturing here, do it with the enthusiasm of a hunter, for this wild, steep fog shrouded world is a fascinating place full of mystery."

"There is a big problem with the stream, at least from a waterfall-hunters perspective. In safer weather, when it is dry, the waterfalls are small and not terribly impressive. In wet weather, they would be spectacular. There would also be an assortment of 500 ft + seasonal waterfalls on the bluffs to your right on the way in. However, don't sign me up for that trip! It is obvious that when #%$@ goes down on Tumalt, it is serious! The walls above are crumbly and the entire streambed is made up of conglomerate boulders and dirt. Major slides apparently happen often. In fact, there is no moss at all in the streambed."

Tim Olson, Gorge Classic Climbs: Historical Summits and Adventures

The entire Tumalt Creek drainage is an ideal access point for approaching this fascinatingly rugged area [Nesmith Point]. Massive rotten basalt cliff scarps of infinite natural height and beauty dominate the depths of this drainage. Thick mist filled clouds swirl relentlessly along the cliff scarp, creating a surreal landscape that captivates all who draw near to touch this uniquely beautiful place.

There are numerous ridges and gully systems along the entire Nesmith headwall arena that are quite feasible to explore... Explore with caution is the best advice for anyone who ventures here.

Olson 26

"This stream in the eastern part of the county [Multnomah County] was formerly called Devil Creek and Devil Slide Creek, but at the instigation of the Mazamas in 1915 the name Tumalt was adopted by the government to commemorate an Indian who was killed by Gen. Phil Sheridan's command during the Cascade engagement in 1856."

A Buried Waterfall?

In February 2011, waterfall hunter Zach Forsyth, following a lead from waterfall hunter Bryan Swan, found evidence that a small waterfall on Tumalt Creek may have been buried sometime between the time of an old fisheries report (1950s?) and today by massive slides coming down from the cliffs above... There are some fascinating pictures to see by following the link to the discussion on OregonHikers.org.

OregonHikers.org: Tumalt Creek

Posted by Bryan Swan ("Sore Feet") on February 3rd, 2011:

What strikes me as the most interesting thing about that drainage is the streambed itself. I have no idea the date of the survey documents that tipped me off to this spot, but I suspect it to be the early 1950s. There is no way that Tumalt Creek as it exists now could be considered to have fish-bearing potential with all the rocky detritus in its streambed, so I'm wondering if over the years the slides and floods that have created such a barren trough have ultimately buried a waterfall lower down along its reach, perhaps somewhere near the highway? I really can't see the fisheries people having surveyed such an inhospitable stream all the way to the headwall, but at the same time, its good to know there are additional waterfalls up there, should this posit have some ground to stand on.

Posted by Zach Forsyth ("chameleon") on February 3rd, 2011:

The idea of a buried waterfall is interesting. It is certainly a possibility given the sheer volume of matter deposited on Tumalt.

I have an idea where it might have been. At @ 1000 feet, a slanting shelf of basalt meets the streambed. On any other stream, you'd expect a waterfall there. It is also one of the only places real bedrock is found on the stream.

So, here's a theory: There was a waterfall there. I'd guess it was @ 50 ft tall. At some point, a massive landslide occurred. It scoured the streambed, and debris fell over the fall until it became nothing more than a ramp.

Prior to this, the lower reaches of Tumalt would have been similar to other Gorge streams, and salmon would no doubt have spawned all the way up to the waterfall.

Today, you are right. Given the lack of pools and pieces of slow water, it is extremely inhospitable to fish. I even doubt salamanders are present in the upper stream. There would be no reason for interest in this stream as it exists today.

You know...I really think we're onto something here... I'm going to head back in there and do some measuring/photographing at the suspected buried waterfall.

Posted by Zach Forsyth ("chameleon") on February 4th, 2011:

I did a bit more investigating. I believe there is a chance that a waterfall once existed on Tumalt. Today I hiked up the stream once more looking for clues. There are actually two places where layers of basalt meet the streambed. Given the level of surrounding trees near the first one (trees @ 100 years old), I've ruled that out. There may have been a small drop there though.

...

About a hundred meters upstream is a second. The entire distance between the two basalt shelves was obviously filled with debris in the 1996 debris avalanche. Today there are small trees @ 15 years old on the sloping deposit on the eastern side, but no old trees. However, on the Western side, there are large trees growing @ 50 feet above today's creek bed. This leads me to believe that buried beneath the deposited debris, a basalt shelf slopes up that side as well. This would indicate a slowly carved notch in the basalt existed there.

In short, it is possible that a waterfall existed at the point of the upper basalt shelf. When the 1996 flow hit, it completely enveloped the entire amphitheater below it. Given the propensity to major sliding (and the major alluvian fan beginning below the lower basalt shelf), I would doubt the waterfall was ever terribly tall. It probably gets buried at least every few thousand years, as sections of mountain sheer off. In between, it probably reappears as the water/mud slowly remove the debris from it and once more begin whittling away at the solid basalt (at a much slower rate than debris removal).

Links

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