Oregon's Eagle Creek Trail

Oregon's Eagle Creek Trail
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Distance: ~15 miles roundtrip
Trailhead: 100 feet (GPS N45 38.223 W121 55.183)
Highpoint: 1570 feet (GPS N45 34.927 W121 51.125)
Elevation Gain: 1470 feet
Hike Difficulty Calculator: 19 - Difficult
Trail Notes: Very groomed but quite a bit of rock underfoot due to local geology and blasting of rock to create the trail. Dogs permitted on leash.
Pass/Parking: Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent required for parking at Trailhead.

As always, click on the pictures for easier viewing.

All photos of this weekend's hikes are located here


As Autumn continues it's show on the seasonal stage and birds make headway during their annual migration, we decided to follow their lead southward with a hike along Oregon's Eagle Creek trail. Weather forecasted for some sun and optimum hiking temperatures, a fellow Olympic peninsula native, Jay, invited me out for this distant but rewarding hike.

With an early start and uneventful road trip down a foggy I-5, we crossed the Columbia River into Oregon and kept our eyes open for the turn-off to the trailhead. Heading eastward along highway 84, a short stop was made to observe Multnomah Falls. With many falls surrounding the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Multnomah Falls has the distinction of being the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Plummeting down 620ft, the falls are fed by underground springs from nearby Larch Mountain.

Multnomah Falls & Benson Bridge


Arrival at the trailhead was a pleasant event as we were finally able to unfold ourselves from the confines of the truck and stretch out a little. We joined about five other vehicles as they were in various stages of disgorging their occupants in what was anticipated to be wondrous hike along this well known trail. Adequately attired and geared-up, we put boots to trail and headed out.

Morning sun dissipating the fog M Nicely maintained trail


The National Forest Service began construction of the Eagle Creek Trail in 1916. Blasting along miles of hard, sheer basalt and high cliffs, construction of the 13.5 mile trail continued until completion in 1919. At several precipitous locations along the trail, cables were installed to assist with the safety of hikers (see above trail photo).

While predominantly a walk in the forest, the Eagle Creek trail parallels its watery and winding namesake, providing several opportunities to observe interesting geological formations. Slopes of scree, tall, dizzying cliffs, lowland temperate forest, and the millennial old waters have all joined to shape this amazing area.

Scree field MMMMMMMMM One of many bridges MMMM Punchbowl Falls


Metlako Falls, Punchbowl Falls, Skoonichuck Falls, Wy'East Falls, Tunnel Falls, and Twister Falls all contribute to the cartel of cascades that compose the Eagle Creek Trail. Several Falls are accessible by branch trails that take the inquisitive hiker directly to the wild, tumbling water. Punchbowl Falls in particular, permits those with plenty of panache to plummet ~40-95ft from various platforms (see above pic). A video of teenagers with less intelligence than fear can be seen here jumping into the Punchbowl. We were all young once. M:-)

Easily accessible and easily hiked, we enjoyed ourselves with many others on this nice autumn day. Plenty of people of all ages, some with their four-legged trail mates, were out in appreciation of the beauty offered by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Northwest beauty MMMMM Pleasant surprises MMMM Loowit Falls


Continuing our trek under blue northwestern skies, we made good progress along this relatively flat trail. Crossing the river twice was enabled by several bridges. I believe there were six bridges that we crossed on this hike. Passing Skoonichuck Falls the sharp-eyed observer will notice younger or smaller deciduous trees in abundance. This is due to a fire that swept through the area in the early 1900s.

Soon after 4 1/2 mile bridge you will encounter several campsites between the trail and Eagle Creek. Continuing on you will past a slope or two of scree/talus and then encounter "the potholes". This short ~25 yard stretch of trail (seen in the two photos below) offers another unique example of the interesting geology along this hike. Originating from prehistoric volcano eruptions, basalt that cools rapidly enough can undergo contractual forces that result in the formation of columns. These column type configurations range from circular, as seen below, to as many as twelve sides.

4 1/2 mile bridge MMMMMM The Potholes MMMMMM Reminds me of Indiana Jones

Your patience on this lengthy trail is finally rewarded, for soon after 'the potholes' and turning around a corner you will be at Tunnel Falls. Falling about 175 ft Tunnel Falls is so named because of the ~25ft tunnel that was blasted from the bedrock behind the silvery torrent. Walking through the tunnel you will be dripped on by the water that seeps through the bedrock and then coated with a cooling mist as you exit. Be careful in your exuberance to explore all of the falls as the southern side is pretty much a straight drop down. Here again, the creators of the trail have installed cables to assist with hiker safety. I had to admire the effort the builders put into this trail. Solely for the enjoyment of the public. This level of civic sensibility seems so rare these days.

But wait, roughly 300 yards further is yet another falls. Twister or Crossover Falls, ~200ft, makes a good lunch spot and turn around point. Be sure to cautiously lean over from the trail to experience the dramatic and sheer drop to Eagle Creek below. And the best part about this halfway spot is that you can look forward to enjoying the watery beauty all over again during your hike back to the trailhead. M :-)

Tunnel Falls MMMM Continuing to Twister Falls MMM Jay



Video:


Directions:
Coming from Portland, travel eastbound on I-84, and turn off at Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road and turn right. You will go pass a footbridge as the road narrows to one lane. Follow the signs and continue a short ways to a large parking lot.