- Eagle Creek trail
- High Bridge over Eagle Creek
- Eagle Creek
- Fresh dusting of snow
Eagle Creek trail hugs canyon
Please read the hiking caution at the bottom of this narrative: Hiking up the Eagle Creek trail, The trail can be seen along the top left hand portion of this photo and the High Bridge, which crosses Eagle Creek is in the upper portion, center of the photo.This is a good section of trail to pay attention to where you step. A rolled ankle here could mean a long fall.
What a spectacular trail. A few days ago I had hiked the trails of the Gingko Petrified Forest near Ellensburg, Washington. That trail, like this one, was built by the CCC back in the 1930s. The Eagle Creek Trail must have required a great deal of care and skill to complete. It was originally part of the Pacific Crest Trail, but now the PCT has been re-routed and does not include the Eagle Creek section. Still, many PCT hikers can't stand the thought of missing this wonderful section of trail, so hike it instead of the new section.
Extemporaneous hike. Decided at 9:00 am 27 Feb 2009, to hike a portion of the Eagle Creek trail. The trail is located in Oregon on the left bank of the Columbia River, near the town of Cascade Locks.
I arrived at the trailhead at 12:30 pm; started hiking at 12:45 pm. With two side trips down a muddy slope to get photos of Lower Punchbowl Falls, and from the brink of the Upper Punchbowl Falls, I arrived at the High Bridge over Eagle Creek at 2:30 pm. There I had a late lunch.
I got back to the trailhead at 3:45 pm. So with lots of stops to take these photos, and many more, it was a three hour round trip hike of around 6 miles.
The lower trail was muddy, but most of the trail was in excellent shape. There was snow on portions of the trail, which increased, as I approached the high bridge.
I didn't go beyond the high bridge, due to time and amount of snow appearing on the trail.
This was my first hike up Eagle Creek, but it won't be my last. A beautiful hike.
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UPDATE: A flickr friend just sent me this article of a recent death on
this trail. I removed the victims name but the warning of hiking
trails such as these:
Mar-17-2009 09:35
Hiker Falls to Her Death at Eagle Creek Trail
Salem-News.com
It is the second hiking-related death at Eagle Creek in the last three
weeks.
The trail at Eagle Creek can be extremely dangerous.
Special thanks to: z.hubpages.com
(CASCADE LOCKS, Ore.) - Deputies say a 23-year old Portland woman died
Monday afternoon after falling from a popular hiking trail west of
Cascade Locks.
Deputy Matt English with the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, says
their 911 center received a call at 6:09 p.m. from a man who had
accompanied the woman on the hike. He reported that she had died after
falling off of a cliff.
"Rescue teams reached the location shortly after 7:00 p.m."
English said.
"They found the body of XXXXXX of Portland, down an embankment,
about 100 feet off of the trail. The trail was wet and rescuers
reported sleet and hail in the area of the fall. The case is still
under investigation and more information will be released when
available."
English says the area where the fall occurred was about one mile south of the parking lot at the Eagle Creek Trailhead.
This is the second death that has occurred on the trail in less than
one month.
On February 26, 2009, the body of XXXXX was found on the trail, about
three miles from the parking lot. Results of the autopsy in that case
are still pending.
Hikers are asked to use caution when navigating trails this time of year. Heavy rains can lead to trails being slippery and can create conditions that are often difficult to navigate. It is always recommended to notify someone of your itinerary and to hike with a companion.
Comments and faves
Justin Smith - Photography (39 months ago | reply)
That looks terrifying. How wide is the trail there?
oldmantravels (39 months ago | reply)
Justin - - The trail is cut from solid rock (basalt); about three feet wide; AND is slants slightly down TOWARD the inside (which helps). There is also a cable running along the inside edge of the trail, if anybody feels the need or desire to "hold onto something".
I never did feel uncomfortable and it surprised me because I really don't like insecure highly exposed drop offs. I guess the operative word here is "secure" vs. "insecure". I felt secure on this trail. OMT
Coop Photography (39 months ago | reply)
Wow! That is pretty high up, but it is so beautiful. The trail really is just a little outcropping. I might have to go there eventually. Soooo many places sooo little time. Great shot.
oldmantravels (39 months ago | reply)
Cooper, it is a great day hike trail and an often used "detour" for the scenery route, used by Pacific Crest Trail hikers. It was at one time, part of the PCT. OMT
thamr and JeffOates added this photo to their favorites.
CraftyMoni (6 months ago | reply)
Great photo! I just did this hike the other day and, yeah, that cliff part is sketchy, but like you I felt very secure on it. And I am REALLY afraid of heights. I had no idea people died on this trail a couple of years ago!
oldmantravels (6 months ago | reply)
C.M. - - "secure" heights, I can handle (like these), "insecure" (like those rock climbers seek), I leave to others. I'm glad to hear you got out and got to enjoy this hike. OMT