Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

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OneSpeed
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Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by OneSpeed » January 15th, 2011, 9:26 am

In keeping with my New Year's Resolution -- "one day every week, I will go outside and play" -- I blew off a bunch of perfectly good work and at least one pretty solid deadline to enjoy the spectacle of Eagle Creek in winter.

After a fine breakfast at Bumblekiss (photos here) on the way out of town, I hit the trailhead at the crack of 12:15 and soon was on my way. I'll let the Field Guide entry speak for the trail, but the quick summary is that I went something like 3.5 miles up before I ran into more snow on ledges than I felt like dealing with. The trail is in good shape, the creek is raging, and there are waterfalls everywhere. I saw maybe a dozen people. Got back to the trailhead around 4 and went for terrible espresso in Cascade Locks.

So, a few scenes for your enjoyment:
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The first set of ledges.
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Punchbowl Falls was raging! See the log against the wall? It was bobbing up and down, with waves occasionally going over it.
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Just before High Bridge, after coming through this (and lots of other stuff like it) ...
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... and with this going on WAY below me ...
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... and with this right ahead of me ....
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... I figured that was enough for a day. Didn't notice any recent tracks going over that snow, either.

On the way back I stopped for the view at Metlako Falls and had a little chuckle, courtesy of the Forest Service. I took the trail to the viewpoint, walked 50 yards or so down it, then saw this sign.
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And I thought, what???? How can it be 1.5 miles? Of course, as we all know, I walked another 10 yards and saw the falls. So I guess they mean it's 1.5 miles from here to the trailhead, but I wonder how many people turn around there? Weird place to have that sign.
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A little more scenery on the way back, and we'll see you next week for Resolution Day!
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retired jerry
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by retired jerry » January 15th, 2011, 9:45 am

Nice looking sign though, even though the mileage is confusing :)

Looks like the snow is melting off nicely.

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OneSpeed
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by OneSpeed » January 15th, 2011, 10:13 am

retired jerry wrote:Looks like the snow is melting off nicely.
There were only a few patches of snow I saw that you'd have to go over. The one that stopped me was perfectly negotiable, but I wasn't up for it, with the timing and the fact that, at that point, nobody was "above" me on the trail.

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Crusak
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by Crusak » January 15th, 2011, 10:50 am

I like your resolution! Great idea.

From your pictures it looks like there was lots of water coming down the cliffs. It's like the trail is one big waterfall. Reminds me of my many trips up Eagle Creek, always seem to hit that trail when it is very wet.

I hope the Gorge trails don't get too badly damaged this weekend, with the expected heavy rains they are talking about.
Jim's Hikes

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Eric Peterson
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by Eric Peterson » January 15th, 2011, 12:52 pm

... and with this right ahead of me ....

Image
Oh man! That would be troublesome without traction...

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Splintercat
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by Splintercat » January 15th, 2011, 6:45 pm

Ooooo.... I LOVE Eagle Creek in this kind of weather - thinking about taking my visiting brother-in-law there this week, instead of a snowshoe, given that it's raining all the way up to Timberline. Ugh. Don't love that!

Great report and photos, Paul! Do you think those snow drifts will be gone by Monday?

Tom

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BrianEdwards
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by BrianEdwards » January 15th, 2011, 7:45 pm

Metlako and Sorrenson are Roaring!! Nice report
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.

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arundodonax
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by arundodonax » January 15th, 2011, 7:48 pm

Things are shaping up to be pretty wet and wild on Monday...

Image

Image

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OneSpeed
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by OneSpeed » January 16th, 2011, 8:35 am

Crusak wrote:From your pictures it looks like there was lots of water coming down the cliffs. It's like the trail is one big waterfall.
Definitely a lot of water -- and this was Friday. It's been raining ever since!

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OneSpeed
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Re: Eagle Creek 1-14-2011

Post by OneSpeed » January 16th, 2011, 8:37 am

Splintercat wrote:Do you think those snow drifts will be gone by Monday?
Not some of these bigger ones, but they may be reduced quite a bit. Going over them was actually fine as far as traction goes. Seems like it won't even be freezing at night, so they won't get glazed over.

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