The Gorge Loop...?

[derekreaney]

I am planning on backpacking the gorge loop starting at Eagle Creek this week. Anybody have any recommendations. I have not been in that area yet this year nor have I done the whole loop....

[Grannyhiker]

There are a lot of loops in the Gorge, and the upper ends of most of them appear to still be under quite a few feet of snow, enough to make it difficult or impossible to find the trail. Here are some recent reports:
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... &sk=t&sd=a
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... p?f=8&t=72
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... ?f=8&t=153
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... ?f=9&t=130
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... p?f=8&t=71

Here's one that is pretty well melted out: http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... ?f=8&t=136

[derekreaney]

yeah, i have heard there was still quite a bit of snow up there. I was hoping that this nice weather we have been having had gotten rid of it by now. If nothing else i guess i will postpone and head south untill it clears. thanks for the info!

[BCJ]

It's still going to take this warm weather a while to get rid of the snow at the higher elevations so you should have strong route-finding skills on snow if you're planning on going this weekend.

[emilyinsd]

did anyone do any of these loops successfully this weekend? we are planning on trying one this week and were looking for feedback.

[fellwalker]

We attempted the Eagle Creek/Tanner Butte loop two weeks ago (started at Eagle Creek) but had to turn back about a quarter mile before reaching the Cedar campsite because of snow. The trail disappeared under snow and route finding was near impossible. It seemed unwise to continue. We met another party who turned back also and they had a GPS!

[derekreaney]

I decided to just get things done around the house while the snow does a bit more melting. Hopefully things will be clear in a week or two....