Hike 30 - Eagle Creek

Distance: 13 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet

Trailhead elevation: 60 feet

Trail high point: 1,357 feet

Seasons: all year (avoid winter ice and snow)

Best: March - May, October - November

Pass: NW Forest Pass

On the traditional lands of: the Cascades and Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz) peoples

Directions:

• Drive Interstate 84 east of Portland to Eagle Creek Exit 41.

• Almost immediately after exiting the freeway, there is a parking lot on the left next to a fish hatchery. Continue another half-mile to the trailhead at road’s end. This lot fills very early on most days. If the lot is full, drive back towards I-84 a half-mile to the lot at the fish hatchery. Leave nothing of value in your car here, as break-ins have sometimes occurred at this trailhead in the past.

• Drivetime from Portland: 45 minutes

Hike: One of the most popular hikes in Oregon is also one of the best. Follow a spectacular trail above a narrow gorge featuring waterfall after waterfall, each one better than the last. Good things come at a cost though; this is one of the most popular hikes in the state of Oregon, so expect a lot of traffic on the trail. Furthermore, the Eagle Creek Fire began here in September 2017, and burned much of this canyon. Punch Bowl Falls is no longer easily accessible, and slides are common in the winter. On the flip side, the fire opened up views of a few waterfalls that were previously difficult to see from the trail. The damage is not all that bad for the most part - this is still one of Oregon’s most extraordinary hikes.

Begin on the wide trail as it parallels wide Eagle Creek. In the winter, this part of the trail can be very icy – and indeed, if it looks too icy here, turn around and go hike somewhere else. The Eagle Creek Trail is not a place you want to be when it’s too icy to hike safely. Begin slowly climbing, as the trail ascends to a narrow ledge above the canyon of Eagle Creek. In some places, the trail was blasted out of the ledge – thankfully, chains are in place to help out those uncomfortable with heights. At 0.6 miles, look across the canyon to Wauna Falls, a 150-foot tiered waterfall – this is your first taste of the many waterfalls here. The trail then passes obstructed views of Metlako and Sorenson Falls ahead, cascading side by side. From here, the trail continues another 0.9 mile to a junction with the spur trail down to Punch Bowl Falls. Ignore this side trail and continue on the Eagle Creek Trail. From here, the trail returns to the ledge above the creek, and in a little more than a mile later, traverses a cliff edge opposite Loowit Falls. Those afraid of heights may struggle with this stretch of the trail. At 3.3 miles, reach the aptly-named High Bridge, where the trail crosses Eagle Creek high above a narrow gorge. This is an incredible spot and well worth it for those looking for a moderate hike. There were once many campsites just beyond here, but they burned in the 2017 fire and are no longer a safe place to camp.

For a more difficult hike, continue upstream as the canyon opens up somewhat. You will pass a view of Skoonichuck Falls before crossing the creek again on a bridge at 4.5 miles. Just a short while later, pass Wy’East Camp and its namesake falls, Wy’East Falls. From here, pass a junction with the abandoned Eagle-Benson Trail and enter the Hatfield Wilderness. At a little under 6 miles from the trailhead, you’ll pass by Grand Union Falls and enter the Potholes, a series of boulders along the trail that are somewhat hollowed out by water, and reach Tunnel Falls at 6.2 miles. At 165 feet tall, this gorgeous waterfall is an impressive sight indeed. Even more impressive is the tunnel that was blasted out of the rock behind the falls, allowing safe passage upstream. You’ll feel the falls shake the rock, but you’ll be safe in this passage behind the falls.

Don’t turn around yet! The trail continues around a bend as it clings to the side of the cliff above Eagle Creek, and becomes downright frightening (or awesome, depending on your perspective) as it passes above 130-foot Twister Falls. The stretch of trail from Tunnel to Twister Falls is one of the most extraordinary in the Pacific Northwest, and by this point the crowds have thinned out, allowing you to enjoy it in relative peace. If you have a bit more energy, you can continue another 0.2 mile to Sevenmile Falls, the final waterfall on Eagle Creek and by far the quietest. If you’re hiking past here, you can follow signs to Wahtum Lake (Hike 31), some 6 miles to the south. When you are finally ready to turn around, return the way you came.