Eagle Creek — May. 26, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

4 photos

Outstanding Trip Reporter

75

Wildflowers blooming

We hit the trail Friday driving down from seattle. Wanted to avoid the major rush with our 14mo. We left seattle midday and arrived after multiple stops around 415. Hit the trail at 445 and camped just shy of wy'east camp in a "secret" spot by 630. The first few ledges on the trail have a handrail attached to the cliff. Some areas were a bit slippery as there were scattered small falls. When you reach the turn off for punch bowl, it is a Y in the trail. Stay left. The views of the bowl are just past the Y. Pass over several bridges that you think must be high bridge but the actual high bridge is labeled as such with a placard on a tree to the left before you cross it. After high bridge you cross another bridge. Just prior to it there's a log that you squish under and get a bit dirty but it's doable. The route around the log is on the downslope and seemed o be giving way with moisture and overuse. So after the bridge, There's a campsite ON the trail on the right. Go through it down a brushy trail to the water. The trail cuts back away from the water to a secluded camp site with room for a tent. There is a fire pit but we didn't build one due to them being banned in the area. We had planned a two night trip moving our site to 7 mile camp then heading out day three but based on speed in and out kiddos good spirit we decided to just day hike to the falls and camp in the same spot again. You cross though a few camp sites seen close to the water from the trail. When you reach a wider open area there is a small trail up into the bushes on the left which has campsites and seemed to go unseen despite the 75+ people we saw backpacking in looking for a spot. There is a large log with notches cut into it before the falls that you heave up and over. There is also a stream crossing with a few options. Not too bad at all even with a large pack and no trekking poles. The falls are gorgeous. There's the rope again bolted into the cliff. The rocks as you approach are a bit slippery. Having a toddler in my pack I held it the whole time. Not worth it! The tunnel was a short but cooling reprieve from the heat of the day. The best photo op of the whole Falls is a landing before you make a sharp left after the falls. We continued another .5mi to twister falls. After that we went maybe another mile or so? Before turning back. Enjoyed tunnel falls again and we're hit with a barrage of friendly, happy Memorial Day hikers. The notched log was a it of a wait getting back because some hikers were a bit timid but it's a trail with drop offs so everyone take your time and be patient. When we got back to camp it was only eleven. (Our little gem woke us with the sun at 530 and despite a lengthy morning in camp we were back early) camp is really small to occupy a busy toddler so after a bit of hammocking we packed up and called it a day heading in a day early. We hiked much faster than anticipated but did appreciate the extra day at home as we both worked Sunday night. **There were reports of a bear just off the trail past high bridge on the 26th but we saw no sign of it.

Eagle Creek — May. 21, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

4 photos

eriktheviking

25

Wildflowers blooming

2 people found this report helpful

We decided to take advantage of a wedding in Portland and headed over for this beaut of a hike. 12 miles was good and the sun was shining the whole time. We got to the trail head around 900 and it was packed parking! I recommend bringing more water than you think you need because 3L may not be enough for 12 miles. Here's to the start of a great summer hiking season!

Eagle Creek — May. 20, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

4 photos

jagiusti

20

1 person found this report helpful

This was a magnificent hike, and probably going down in the books as my favorite. Even with the formidable distance, this is a steady incline that is easily achievable! It is not steep, but gradual, and you can maintain a great pace. What is the absolute best about this hike is that there are so many sights and stops along the way to keep you constantly moving forward and feeling like the time quickly passes by. I was so thankful for the amazing descriptions here in WTA of each place to stop at along the way.

Leaving at 8:45 or so, the sun was hidden behind clouds for a considerable amount of the morning. But it was still bright out. Just not optimal for photography. :-) I wish I knew what it was like at sunrise or sunset, but I don't have that kind of commitment with having driven from Seattle. No rain, but still getting there early meant the cliffsides were still dripping with small fresh spatterings of water that just made the hike magical. I will admit though, the terrain was incredibly rocky, which made it really rough on the soles of my feet. I don't have designated hiking boots, but even with really strong hiking shoes, my feet were really worn out by the return hike.

Gain: 1366ft
Distance: 13.7mi
Time: ~7.5hrs, left at 8:45 and returned at 4pm, with several photo stops and about a 45min stop at Tunnel Falls
Weather: Morning cloudy, but sunny all day.

Eagle Creek — May. 16, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

4 photos

jennekehikes

WTA Member

Outstanding Trip Reporter

200

Beware of: trail conditions

Wildflowers blooming

6 people found this report helpful

Absolutely spectacular hike! Hit the trail around 10am, only met a handful of people packing out from overnights on the way in. Weather was rough with intermittent rain and hail, but the dense forest kept us from being completely soaked. The significant rain from the day before had all the waterfalls raging. Made it to Tunnel Falls in just under 3 hours and hiked the extra .25mile to Twister Falls arriving just before 1pm, well worth it! There are a couple stream crossings and downed trees that require squatting and scrambling. Not a hike for those with a fear of heights, and I would be very hesitant bringing small children given the numerous spots of narrow paths along steep cliffs.

Eagle Creek — May. 15, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

4 photos + video

Benson Burner

5

Beware of: trail conditions

Wildflowers blooming

2 people found this report helpful

Eaglee Creek Columbia River Gorge

Very Nice rip, very nice trail condition. Not much to mention as far as trails go, as far as obstacles, you always expect them, at least I do. I really enjoyed everything about it, the miles flew by as if they were yards (IMHO). From my notes, I believe I was in 7-1/2 mile camp. We slung the hammocks up. We both were showing off our boutique hammock wares. Hahahahaha. Very nice trip we'd like to do again. If you haven't been there you need to go, expect company. We went on a Monday Tuesday overnight when it was Super rainy to avoid any mass of folks. We still found some. We seen a bunch of too cool for school "backpackers" coming out of Wy'East camp, which they trashed with thier feces. Just a mess of a "latrine" right next to a spring fed creek. (LOOK OUT). I didn't want to bury their waste, so, I humbly went on, x-Ing off that creek to rehydrate myself with. It was a large group. There were plenty of messes. Right on the surface complete with paper, covered with twigs! Oh boy!

Well, sorry for that but I believe it is important to talk about, hopefully it will lead to cleaner campsites, and really (cleaner water). My job focuses on water Quaility so, that's why, moving on: here is a couple photos and my first attempt at posting a trip report. If you want to see part two and three, just figure out how to go to my YouTube Chanel. I will try to post it but I am new to this site and it is my first post, thanks! Eagle Creek is a GEM, I says.