Revision as of 18:02, 16 July 2021

Eagle Creek Trailhead (Jeff Statt)

Acknowledgement of the PCTA's work on the Eagle Creek Trail since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire (bobcat)

Spawning salmon can be seen near the trailhead in late fall (cfm)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.636574, -121.91970
• Elevation: 110 feet
• Driving time from Portland: 50 minutes

Hikes starting here

• Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Eagle Creek to High Bridge Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Eagle-Benson Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Tanner-Eagle Traverse Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

Driving Directions

Drive I-84 east to Exit 41 for the Eagle Creek Recreation Area.

At the Stop sign, go right and keep straight on FR 240, which becomes FR 241 (Eagle Creek Lane).

Drive 0.5 miles, passing day use area and a large footbridge, to the parking area at the end of the road. Park only in designated spaces. If this lot is full, drive back to the Eagle Creek Day Use Trailhead.

(Coming from the east, be aware, there is no westbound exit at Eagle Creek. You must continue on I-84 and get off at the Bonneville Dam Exit, get back on the interstate and backtrack to Exit #41.)

Fees / Regulations

• Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required. There is a drop box for purchasing the day pass at the trailhead.
• Dogs on leash on the trail
• Restrooms, picnic area, information kiosk, nearby campground
• Parking area fills up early; alternative is the Eagle Creek Day Use Trailhead

Warning

The Eagle Creek area is a busy place most days and especially on weekends. In addition to Eagle Creek hikers, it accommodates PCT thru-hikers, locals who enjoy the day-use picnic area, sightseers enjoying the fish hatchery, and campers at nearby Eagle Creek Campground.

Unfortunately, with the crowds, the Eagle Creek Trailhead has seen a great number of break-ins to cars. Thieves are known to frequent this area and work quickly. They tend to go for the obvious (valuables left in cars) but also for identity information left in glove compartments. It is an attractive area for clouters because of it's proximity to the interstate on-ramp. In addition, hikers have even reported losing backpacks left at the trailhead momentarily while fetching their vehicle. Many hikers have taken to bringing all their valuables with them, leaving the doors to their car unlocked and the glove compartments open.

There are signs posted that recommend you park at the lower parking area that you first pass by when you drive in from the freeway, next to the fish hatchery (where there are people 24/7, and a window looks out onto the parking area) and during the summer there is a camp host. Parking here will add about a half mile to your hike.

Contributors

• Jeffstatt (creator)