Eagle Creek — Thursday, May. 26, 2011

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

Craig Romano in his book, "Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge", states that this is one of the most spectacular trails in America" and we would totally agree! His excellent trail description which takes up 2.5 pages is well worth the price of the book! We have hiked this trail many, many times and most of the time rain has been our companion. Today was no exception! Rain makes the landscape greener and the cloudy day makes for better photography!--don't have to worry about the sun "washing-out" your pictures! :)! To get to the TH from Portland travel I-84 east to Exit 41 for the Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery. We hiked 6.25 miles to Twister Falls with side trips to Metlako Falls viewpoint at 1.5 miles from TH and to the lower viewpoint for Punch Bowl Falls at 1.7 miles. This viewpoint drops about 100 ft in 1/8 of a mile. Rosy Plectritis, larkspur, small and large-flowered Blue Eyed Mary, and stonecrop were some of the flowers seen. The creek was running high as were the falls. We have not always had time to go to Tunnel Falls, but that is OK! One can hike as far as time allows and still have a beautiful hike! Every hiker should do this trail at least once!