Difference between revisions of "Eagle Creek to High Bridge Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
| − | * ''Hiking Oregon' | + | * ''Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge'' by Don J. Scarmuzzi |
| − | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' | + | * ''Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge'' by Craig Romano |
| − | * ''60 Hikes | + | *'' I Heart Oregon (& Washington)'' by Lisa D. Holmes |
| − | * '' | + | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington'' by William L. Sullivan |
| − | * ''35 Hiking Trails | + | * ''Trips & Trails: Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan |
| − | * ''Columbia River Gorge | + | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain |
| − | * ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' | + | * ''Best Hikes Near Portland, Oregon'' by Fred Barstad |
| − | * '' | + | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' by Seabury Blair, Jr. |
| + | * ''Take a Hike: Portland'' by Barbara I. Bond | ||
| + | * ''Hiking Oregon’s Geology'' by Ellen Morris Bishop | ||
| + | * ''PDX Hiking 365'' by Matt Reeder | ||
| + | * ''Curious Gorge'' by Scott Cook | ||
| + | * ''Pokin’ Round the Gorge'' by Scott Cook | ||
| + | * ''60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland'' by Paul Gerald | ||
| + | * ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavich | ||
| + | * ''Best Short Hikes in Northwest Oregon'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag | ||
| + | * ''Columbia Gorge Getaways'' by Laura O. Foster | ||
| + | * ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill | ||
| + | * ''Pacific Northwest Hiking'' by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
| + | * ''Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon'' by Adam Sawyer | ||
| + | * ''Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland, Oregon'' by Adam Sawyer | ||
| + | * ''50 Hikes in Oregon'' by David L. Anderson | ||
| + | * ''Hiking Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan | ||
| + | * ''Hike America: Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan | ||
| + | * ''Portland Hikes'' by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman | ||
| + | * ''Oregon’s Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region'' by George Wuerthner | ||
| + | * ''Oregon’s Wilderness Areas'' by George Wuerthner | ||
| + | * ''35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''42 Scenic Hikes: Columbia River Gorge'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''100 Oregon Hiking Trails'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''Short Trips & Trails: The Columbia Gorge'' by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe | ||
| + | * ''70 Virtual Hikes of the Columbia River Gorge'' by Northwest Hiker | ||
| + | * ''Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking'' by Tom Steinstra & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
| + | * ''Trail Running: Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan | ||
| + | * ''Best Dog Hikes: Oregon'' by Adam Sawyer | ||
| + | * ''Canine Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan | ||
| + | * ''Fire, Faults, and Floods: A Road & Trail Guide Exploring the Origins of the Columbia River Basin'' by Marge & Ted Mueller | ||
| + | * ''Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest'' by Gregory A. Plumb | ||
| + | * ''Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest'' by David L. Anderson | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
Revision as of 15:11, 20 July 2021
- Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead
- End point: High Bridge
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 6.4 miles (round trip)
- Elevation gain: 840 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Seasons: Year round
- Backpackable: No
- (but there are backpacking options further up trail)
- Crowded: Yes
- Family Friendly: No (Due to exposure)
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Contents |
Falling Hazard
Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek trail. There is a steep cliff to one side of the trail. Maybe this isn't the best trail for dogs or small children.
Hike Description
Eagle Creek is the quintessential hike in the Columbia River Gorge, boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, ubiquitous talus slopes, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest. It is considered by many to be one of the most resplendent hiking destinations in the Northwest—no doubt, essential fare for Portland-area outdoor lovers.
What makes Eagle Creek even more popular is the number of ways one can enjoy it! There are options that can take 3 hours to 3 days depending on how far you go! In fact, one could literally hike to Mexico starting from the Eagle Creek trailhead, as it eventually intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail some 13 miles in. In fact, many PCT thru-hikers will choose to divert their usual course over the Benson Plateau to take in the splendid beauty of the Eagle Creek gorge.
Maybe as impressive as the Gorge itself, is the story of how it was built. It was created in the early 1900s as part of an effort to begin preserving parkland areas in the Columbia River Gorge where industry was rapidly encroaching. In some sections, workers used dynamite to blast the trail into the side of the cliffs. Soon thousands of people could enjoy areas that were impossible to traverse otherwise. The original trail has remained nearly unchanged to this day.
The Eagle Creek to High Bridge Hike is a popular day-hike option. At a little over 6 1/2 miles round trip, and with a mere 480 feet of elevation gain, this option gives you a great balance of effort vs. reward, and will hopefully whet your appetite for return visits that take you far further down the gorge.
Before you've gone a mile, you'll find yourself high above the creek, which has now opened up to a glorious valley. Many months the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the snow-encrusted cliff-sides towering around you. In places the trail is narrow and the drop-off is quite steep. Cable lines were built into the walls in sections to provide some stability.
As the trail steadily gains elevation, it begins to divert away from the creek. You'll notice the quiet as you ascend away from the rushing water and deeper into the lush old-growth forests of douglas fir, cedar and hemlock. Dewy ferns, moss-covered rocks, and sometimes poison oak blanket the forest floor. You will be surprised at the beauty and quiet of these sections, which at times are like scenes from a fairy tale.
Along the rest of the hike, you'll cross various side-creeks—some by rock steps, many by footbridges. Be sure to look upstream as you pass by—especially in the wetter months—as you will be treated to waterfalls and more lush greenery.
After you've walked about a mile and a half, watch for an obvious spur trail off to your right. The path drops down to an overlook with a view of the magnificent 100-foot Metlako Falls, the tallest falls on Eagle Creek proper. Metlako seemingly shoots straight out of a cliffside into a large pool below. NOTICE: The spur trail to the Metlako Falls Overlook is closed as of January 2017. The Overlook has collapsed into the gorge and there is no safe spot to view the falls.
Walk back up the spur trail to the main drag and continue Southward, winding high away from the gorge with the creek well out of view. In just over a half-mile, you'll be at an obvious junction and resting spot near Punch Bowl Falls. Many will take the optional spur trail down to the creek bed which is to your right. This is a recommended diversion for newcomers! Otherwise, you can still see Punch Bowl Falls from a viewpoint about a quarter mile uptrail.
Continuing onward, you'll again swinging away from the gorge for a spell, crossing more footbridges on your way past toward High Bridge. You'll reemerge from the forest very high above the creek bed. At this point watch for the necktie-shaped Loowit Falls on the opposite side. It drops from side creek seemingly from nowhere into a uniquely-shaped pool below before spilling over into Eagle Creek.
Turn the next corner and you approach the homestretch. The trail leading up to High Bridge—although wide, well groomed and oft-traveled—is rocky and can be slippery in places. The path is carved into the cliffside 120 feet up! A cable-line is affixed in the rock to your left, providing some security, but on a busy day you will encounter two way traffic through this short, but vertigo-inducing stretch! Pass with care. As a courtesy to other hikers hold your dogs close to you through this stretch.
You should see High Bridge amid the trees ahead of you to the right.
The name high bridge is well-earned! It dramatically spans a very narrow channel 120 feet high. It's hard not to gawk as you cross to the other side.
This is your turn-around spot. Should you choose to rest and fuel-up before heading back, you can sit at one of the (often crowded) scenic viewpoints near the bridge or walk the trail another hundred yards to Tenas Camp and find a quiet spot to sit.
Return to the way you came.
Should you still have energy and want to continue on, there is a lot more to see, including Four and a Half Mile Bridge and Tunnel Falls.
See these other hike alternatives:
- Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls Hike (shorter)
- Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike (longer)
- Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike (backpack option)
Maps
- See clickable image to the right
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Eagle Creek
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Eagle Creek
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge by Don J. Scarmuzzi
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- I Heart Oregon (& Washington) by Lisa D. Holmes
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
- Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- Best Hikes Near Portland, Oregon by Fred Barstad
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- Take a Hike: Portland by Barbara I. Bond
- Hiking Oregon’s Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
- PDX Hiking 365 by Matt Reeder
- Curious Gorge by Scott Cook
- Pokin’ Round the Gorge by Scott Cook
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavich
- Best Short Hikes in Northwest Oregon by Rhonda & George Ostertag
- Columbia Gorge Getaways by Laura O. Foster
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
- Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon by Adam Sawyer
- Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland, Oregon by Adam Sawyer
- 50 Hikes in Oregon by David L. Anderson
- Hiking Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Hike America: Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Portland Hikes by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman
- Oregon’s Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
- Oregon’s Wilderness Areas by George Wuerthner
- 35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 42 Scenic Hikes: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Short Trips & Trails: The Columbia Gorge by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
- 70 Virtual Hikes of the Columbia River Gorge by Northwest Hiker
- Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking by Tom Steinstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Trail Running: Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Best Dog Hikes: Oregon by Adam Sawyer
- Canine Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Fire, Faults, and Floods: A Road & Trail Guide Exploring the Origins of the Columbia River Basin by Marge & Ted Mueller
- Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb
- Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest by David L. Anderson
More Links
- Information, history and photos of Eagle Creek at Splintercat.org
- Punchbowl Falls from Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest
- NWHiker.com Hike #55