Difference between revisions of "Eagle Creek Overlook Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Description === | === Description === | ||
| − | The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933 - 1942) was established during the Great Depression to offer government-funded employment to young men ages 18 - 25. CCC youth had to be U.S. citizens, unmarried, of "good character", and in good physical condition. The U.S. Forest Service, then a relatively young entity, benefited greatly from CCC projects. While many CCC participants were engaged in firefighting, they also built trails, shelters, and campgrounds. The young men involved were able to carry skills learned into civilian life although many of the later participants were drafted into World War II. The Eagle Creek Overlook was one such CCC project. Completed in | + | The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933 - 1942) was established during the Great Depression to offer government-funded employment to young men ages 18 - 25. CCC youth had to be U.S. citizens, unmarried, of "good character", and in good physical condition. The U.S. Forest Service, then a relatively young entity, benefited greatly from CCC projects. While many CCC participants were engaged in firefighting, they also built trails, shelters, and campgrounds. The young men involved were able to carry skills learned into civilian life although many of the later participants were drafted into World War II. The Eagle Creek Overlook was one such CCC project. Completed in 1937, the buildings, retaining walls, and trails were constructed to facilitate public viewing of the construction of the [[Bonneville Dam]]. It is a fascinating, but short, stroll around the features of this historic site and best done in conjunction with a hike up Eagle Creek itself. |
| − | These days, the Overlook is a picnic area and group campground, the latter reserved through a concessionaire. The group campground is open May 1st to September 30th, so the Overlook Trail is best hiked, if you are not part of a group that is camping here, from October through April. | + | These days, the Overlook is a picnic area and group campground for up to 90 people, the latter reserved through a concessionaire. The group campground is open May 1st to September 30th, so the Overlook Trail is best hiked, if you are not part of a group that is camping here, from October through April. |
There’s a gate across the road leading up to the campground. Walk to the trailhead getting views of the [[Bonneville Dam]]. The Overlook Trail switchbacks up through an oak copse and then under Douglas-firs as you approach the campground area. Stroll along the stone wall getting views of the dam through ponderosa pines. Pass the Civilian Conservation Corps building where people stopped to see the building of the dam. Drop a little and pick up a trail switchbacking down twice to views over the river. Trillium, snow queen and violet bloom along this path in early spring. There’s a use trail leading off to the right to access a small beach, but it’s something of a scramble down the last few feet. | There’s a gate across the road leading up to the campground. Walk to the trailhead getting views of the [[Bonneville Dam]]. The Overlook Trail switchbacks up through an oak copse and then under Douglas-firs as you approach the campground area. Stroll along the stone wall getting views of the dam through ponderosa pines. Pass the Civilian Conservation Corps building where people stopped to see the building of the dam. Drop a little and pick up a trail switchbacking down twice to views over the river. Trillium, snow queen and violet bloom along this path in early spring. There’s a use trail leading off to the right to access a small beach, but it’s something of a scramble down the last few feet. | ||
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| − | {{Hikemaps|latitude=45. | + | {{Hikemaps|latitude=45.6423|longitude=-121.9307}} |
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* Green Trails Maps: ''Columbia River Gorge - West #428S'' | * Green Trails Maps: ''Columbia River Gorge - West #428S'' | ||
* Geo-Graphics: ''Trails of the Columbia Gorge'' | * Geo-Graphics: ''Trails of the Columbia Gorge'' | ||
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{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
| − | * | + | * |
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{{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
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=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29908 Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground (USFS)] | * [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29908 Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground (USFS)] | ||
| + | * [http://www.recreation.gov/camping/eagle-creek-overlook-grp-site/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75167 Eagle Creek Overlook Grp Site, OR (Recreation.gov)] | ||
* [http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/Bonneville/ Bonneville Lock and Dam (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)] | * [http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/Bonneville/ Bonneville Lock and Dam (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)] | ||
| + | * [http://pnwphotoblog.com/eagle-creek-overlook/ Eagle Creek Overlook (Pacific Northwest Photoblog)] | ||
| + | * [http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/eagle_creek.html "Eagle Creek, Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)] | ||
=== Page Contributors === | === Page Contributors === | ||
* [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] (creator) | * [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] (creator) | ||
Revision as of 00:59, 30 September 2016
- Start point: Eagle Creek Overlook Trailhead
- End point: Eagle Creek Overlook Shelter
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 175 feet
- High Point: 170 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933 - 1942) was established during the Great Depression to offer government-funded employment to young men ages 18 - 25. CCC youth had to be U.S. citizens, unmarried, of "good character", and in good physical condition. The U.S. Forest Service, then a relatively young entity, benefited greatly from CCC projects. While many CCC participants were engaged in firefighting, they also built trails, shelters, and campgrounds. The young men involved were able to carry skills learned into civilian life although many of the later participants were drafted into World War II. The Eagle Creek Overlook was one such CCC project. Completed in 1937, the buildings, retaining walls, and trails were constructed to facilitate public viewing of the construction of the Bonneville Dam. It is a fascinating, but short, stroll around the features of this historic site and best done in conjunction with a hike up Eagle Creek itself.
These days, the Overlook is a picnic area and group campground for up to 90 people, the latter reserved through a concessionaire. The group campground is open May 1st to September 30th, so the Overlook Trail is best hiked, if you are not part of a group that is camping here, from October through April.
There’s a gate across the road leading up to the campground. Walk to the trailhead getting views of the Bonneville Dam. The Overlook Trail switchbacks up through an oak copse and then under Douglas-firs as you approach the campground area. Stroll along the stone wall getting views of the dam through ponderosa pines. Pass the Civilian Conservation Corps building where people stopped to see the building of the dam. Drop a little and pick up a trail switchbacking down twice to views over the river. Trillium, snow queen and violet bloom along this path in early spring. There’s a use trail leading off to the right to access a small beach, but it’s something of a scramble down the last few feet.
Head back up and resume walking around the perimeter. Take the campground road back heading along a fence line above the freeway.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- none
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S
- Geo-Graphics: Trails of the Columbia Gorge
- Discover Your Northwest: Mt. Hood National Forest North
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Hood River Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Eagle Creek Overlook Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Eagle Creek Overlook Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 50 Hiking Trails: Portland and Northwest Oregon by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- One Night Wilderness: Portland by Douglas Lorain
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground (USFS)
- Eagle Creek Overlook Grp Site, OR (Recreation.gov)
- Bonneville Lock and Dam (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Eagle Creek Overlook (Pacific Northwest Photoblog)
- "Eagle Creek, Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)