Eagle Creek — Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR

Wrote a great report, then hit the wrong button and lost it. so here's the condensed version Drove down from south of Seattle. set up camp at Beacon Rock State Park Campground. Got to the trailhead area noonish. Parking was a nightmare, trail loaded with hikers on lower portion, thinned out a bit after Punchbowl, but still lots of trail traffic (many with no idea of trail etiquette). Hit the trail at 1pm. 3 water crossings, each worse than the last. Trail gone in a few areas, one was a 4 ft drop into a muddy mess, but passable. Lots of downed trees and debris in the unmarked camps and on the trail. passable but challenging at times. Wildflowers going spring-wild across the sun-facing slopes. Delphinium, shooting star, mimulus, yellow avalanche lollies etc. Took our time getting to Tunnel Falls. (Not enough time left to get to Twister and back before dark.) Ate lunch next to a talus slope and headed back at 5pm, making it to the car at 7pm, well before sunset. Had time to get back over the bridge of the gods to our camp, start a campfire, eat dinner and set camp before it got dark. The trip was worth the effort. 14 miles RT from our car to Tunnel Falls. Next time, we plan to backpack it. FYI Note: This trail, in its current condition, is not for the very young or the infirm.