Jeanette put together a hike up Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. Lori, Audrey, Judy and I went along. I have not hike this trail in many years so it was nice to get back to see it.
Eagle Creek Trail one of the real beauties of the Columbia River Gorge. It also is one of the most crowded so going late summer on a Wednesday helped. We a nice weather and that always help. To Tunnel Falls is 12 mile and 1200 ft. gain. Lori and I turned back early but the rest of the ladies made it all the way.
Lori, Audrey, Judy and Jeanette getting geared up for our hike.
Lori plays Vanna at the mileage sign at the start of the Eagle Creek trail.
Nice wide Eagle Creek Trail. The trail gets lot of use and the wide trail helps to let people pass.
The creek pass through a deep crack in the earth and has very steep side walls.
Looking across Eagle Creek at the start of the trail.
There are a number of section of the trail that are cut into the basalt cliffs.
Metland Falls if the first of many waterfalls along the Eagle Creek Trail.
There are few creek crossings along the trail. On this day the water levels were low.
Head down to get a look at Punch Bowl Fall. Water level is low enough in the summer to get a good view of the falls.
Classic View of Punch Bowl Falls.
Towering walls of rock surround you at the Punch Bowl Falls viewing spot.
This bridge got hammered last year and now you have to climb down the do a creek crossing.
The trail goes through this talus slope.
Loowit Falls
High Bridge passes over a deep chasm.
The view from out lunch spot just before High Bridge.
Heading out from out lunch spot.
Another look at the cliffs before crossing the bridge.
Looking down from High Bridge.
Because of its unique geology for most of the trail you have towering vertical cliff walls.
Our next crossing point
Bridge crossing Eagle Creek.
Looking up Eagle Creek from the bridge.
Heading out the trail on the other side.
Wy’east Camp area had many camp sites.
Big group camp area. This camping area had many possible camp sites.
You hike a long ways in before hitting he wilderness boundary.
Just after this creek crossing I went back to get Lori turned around and heading back.
Back at the bridge on our way back
Looking down Eagle Creek from the Bridge.
At different view at this crack in the earth.
On the way back we tried to figure out how they were able to get this bridge in place.
Back at the damaged bridge and crossing the creek.
They put cable line into hold on to where the trail is most exposed.
Last stretch of trail before being back at the car. At on time this section was paved.