Difference between revisions of "Dry Creek Falls Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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The Crest Trail heads gradually uphill, never too steep, through a pretty, dappled sun kind of forest dominated by Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples, the latter providing a colorful display in the fall. In the spring, forest wildflowers including columbines are common here. Almost immediately, you'll see evidence of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The trail swings right and then loops back along a slope of larger Douglas-firs and hemlocks. About one mile in, you'll come to a powerline access road. Turn right here and follow the road a short distance under the powerlines to the resumption of the trail in the woods. Pass an impressive Douglas-fir on the left side of the trail. Soon after the powerline road, you'll make a traverse along a very steep slope. Then the trail begins a gradual descent to [[Dry Creek Bridge|Dry Creek]]. This section of trail heads gradually downward through an interesting area of large lava boulders and trees for almost another mile. | The Crest Trail heads gradually uphill, never too steep, through a pretty, dappled sun kind of forest dominated by Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples, the latter providing a colorful display in the fall. In the spring, forest wildflowers including columbines are common here. Almost immediately, you'll see evidence of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The trail swings right and then loops back along a slope of larger Douglas-firs and hemlocks. About one mile in, you'll come to a powerline access road. Turn right here and follow the road a short distance under the powerlines to the resumption of the trail in the woods. Pass an impressive Douglas-fir on the left side of the trail. Soon after the powerline road, you'll make a traverse along a very steep slope. Then the trail begins a gradual descent to [[Dry Creek Bridge|Dry Creek]]. This section of trail heads gradually downward through an interesting area of large lava boulders and trees for almost another mile. | ||
| − | At Dry Creek, the trail comes to another dirt road (Ten yards before this road is the almost invisible junction with the | + | At Dry Creek, the trail comes to another dirt road (Ten yards before this road is the almost invisible junction with the abandoned [[Pacific Crest-Rudolph Spur Trail Junction|Rudolph Spur Trail]]). Across the road, you'll see the Pacific Crest Trail crossing [[Dry Creek Bridge|Dry Creek]] on a wooden footbridge. To get to [[Dry Creek Falls]], instead of crossing the bridge, turn right here and head up the rough track about 2/10 of a mile to the falls. Dry Creek hasn't run dry since the diversion apparatus was decommissioned and the falls put on a pretty display throughout the year, although with much greater volume in the wet months. After enjoying the quietude of this little amphitheater, return the way you came in. |
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
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=== Fees, Regulations, etc. === | === Fees, Regulations, etc. === | ||
* Northwest Forest Pass required at [[Bridge of the Gods Trailhead]] | * Northwest Forest Pass required at [[Bridge of the Gods Trailhead]] | ||
| + | * Restrooms and picnic tables at the trailhead | ||
| − | {{TripReports|Dry Creek}} | + | {{TripReports|Dry Creek Falls}} |
| − | {{RelatedDiscussions|Dry Creek}} | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Dry Creek Falls}} |
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
Revision as of 01:24, 30 November 2018
- Start point: Bridge of the Gods Trailhead
or
- Start point: PCT Harvey Road Trailhead
- End point: Dry Creek Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 4.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 830 feet
- High point: 865 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes, on weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
Dry Creek Falls plunges 74 feet over a basalt wall in a secluded amphitheater near Cascade Locks. It is easily reached via the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for those interested in a short, woodsy hike with plenty of Gorge ambience. At the base of the falls are the remains of a water diversion works dating to the days when Cascade Locks got its water supply from this location. The creek was channeled into a tunnel and thus ran "dry" on its original bed. Almost the entire area of this hike was affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. You'll see blackened tree trunks and a recovering understory, but most of the canopy is still intact.
This hike starts you at the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead. From the trailhead, cross the road and head up the Pacific Crest Trail parallel to I-84. There's an old safety fence on your right. Soon, you'll come to Moody Street as it crosses under the freeway. Walk the road uphill to the right, passing under the freeway. When the road angles left, keep right on a gravel road a short distance to a couple of parking pullouts. Altogether the road walking here is about 100 yards. The trail to the right is the Gorge Trail headed toward the Ruckel Creek Trail and the Eagle Creek Campground. You'll take the trail to the left, which is the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Crest Trail heads gradually uphill, never too steep, through a pretty, dappled sun kind of forest dominated by Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples, the latter providing a colorful display in the fall. In the spring, forest wildflowers including columbines are common here. Almost immediately, you'll see evidence of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The trail swings right and then loops back along a slope of larger Douglas-firs and hemlocks. About one mile in, you'll come to a powerline access road. Turn right here and follow the road a short distance under the powerlines to the resumption of the trail in the woods. Pass an impressive Douglas-fir on the left side of the trail. Soon after the powerline road, you'll make a traverse along a very steep slope. Then the trail begins a gradual descent to Dry Creek. This section of trail heads gradually downward through an interesting area of large lava boulders and trees for almost another mile.
At Dry Creek, the trail comes to another dirt road (Ten yards before this road is the almost invisible junction with the abandoned Rudolph Spur Trail). Across the road, you'll see the Pacific Crest Trail crossing Dry Creek on a wooden footbridge. To get to Dry Creek Falls, instead of crossing the bridge, turn right here and head up the rough track about 2/10 of a mile to the falls. Dry Creek hasn't run dry since the diversion apparatus was decommissioned and the falls put on a pretty display throughout the year, although with much greater volume in the wet months. After enjoying the quietude of this little amphitheater, return the way you came in.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required at Bridge of the Gods Trailhead
- Restrooms and picnic tables at the trailhead
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Dry Creek Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Dry Creek Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland, by Paul Gerald
- 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
- Dry Creek Falls Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- Dry Creek Falls (Washington Trails Association)
- Hike to the Dry Creek Falls (The Outbound Collective)
- Dry Creek Falls - Hiking (Roots Rated)
- Dry Creek Falls (Herman Creek Pinnacles Extension) (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)
- "Dry Creek Falls short hike via Pacific Crest Trail at Cascade Locks" (Oregon Live)
- Dry Creek Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
- Dry Creek Falls (World Waterfall Database)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (outline)
- Splintercat