Home  •   Field Guide  •   Forums  •    Unread Posts  •   Maps  •   Find a Hike!
| Page | Discussion | View source | History | Print Friendly and PDF

Buck Point Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Revision as of 17:09, 26 November 2018 by Bobcat (Talk | contribs)

File:Just above buckpoint.jpg
Western Gorge from just above Buck Point on the Ruckel Ridge Trail (Jim Sifferle)
Wauna Ridge from just below Buck Point (Jim Sifferle)
The trail begins adjacent to campsite #5 in the Eagle Creek Campground (cfm)
  • Start point: Eagle Creek TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Buck Point
  • Trail Log: Trail Log
  • Hike Type: Out and Back
  • Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 570 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Seasons: Year-round
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Backpackable: No
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

NOTICE: This trail is closed until further notice because of damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Please check the list of Columbia Gorge trail closures before you plan for a hike.

The hike to Buck Point is kind of a bookend the the Wauna Viewpoint Hike. Both start at Eagle Creek Trailhead and they both climb to viewpoints of the Columbia River beneath power lines.

The hardest part of the Buck Point Hike might be finding your way to the "real" trailhead. Parking isn't available there, so you'll need to park at the Eagle Creek Suspension Bridge. You'll start by heading up the paved campground road for a bit, until you see a sign for Gorge Trail 400. The Gorge Trail climbs to the top of a bluff, then travels next to a protective fence for a ways. At a fork, take the right path signed for Buck Point. The left fork heads down to the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail. After passing a second fence, you'll find yourself at Campsite 11. Walk towards the right on the road and turn left on another road at Campsite 10. Between Campsites 5 and 6, you'll find a large sign reading "Buck Point Trail"

The sign says you have 3/4 of a mile to go, but it's closer to 0.4 miles. Hike up through a series of switchbacks through the forest. Near the top, you'll break out into a power line clearing. Just past an unmarked junction with Ruckel Ridge Trail, you'll arrive at Buck Point. Enjoy the views.

Maps

Fees, Regulations, etc.

  • Northwest Forest Pass required

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
  • Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
  • 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
  • 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan

More Links

Contributors

Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.