Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike

Overview

Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek Trail. On many sections, there is a steep cliff to one side of the trail. This isn't the best trail for dogs or kids. The hike to Tunnel Falls is one of the most storied day trips in the Pacific Northwest (see the long list of guidebooks below). You'll encounter eight major waterfalls along Eagle Creek and its tributaries, with lots of smaller and seasonal falls in-between. You're also encouraged to add just one more mile round-trip to see the last two large waterfalls in the drainage, both on the West Fork Eagle Creek. This is one of the easier 12-mile hikes you'll accomplish, heading up the Eagle Creek canyon on a very gently graded trail. The caveat is that the trail in many sections was blasted out of the basalt cliff faces by the 1915 crews that constructed it in conjunction with the work on the Historic Columbia River Highway. There are six sections where cable handrails will give you a sense of security as you pass above vertical drops. The best months to see wildflowers are April, May, and June. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned hot in this section of the gorge, so you will be constantly reminded of that conflagration. In addition, two bridges, the Fern Creek Bridge and the High Bridge, had to be replaced because of fire damage. However, as you enter the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness beyond Wy'East Camp, you'll encounter larger stands of intact canopy where the fire was less intense. The PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) has done a magnificent job in restoring the trail, and the tread is in excellent shape. Bear in mind that it is only above the High Bridge that overnight camping is permitted on the Eagle Creek Trail; in addition, many of the original campsites have disappeared under heavy brush or downed trees, so availability is more limited than it used to be. Starting at the trailhead, pass a weir, and then follow the wide well-groomed trail above the creek for a stretch. The steep slopes above you are composed of conglomerates from th

Trail Stats

Photos

400px-TunnelFallsMap

400px-TunnelFallsMap

160px-TwisterFalls04

160px-TwisterFalls04

250px-EagleCreek_ThePotholes

250px-EagleCreek_ThePotholes

250px-Baneberry%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Baneberry%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Bouldery_creek%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Bouldery_creek%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Cliff_above_Tenas_Camp%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Cliff_above_Tenas_Camp%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Skoonichuk_Falls%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Skoonichuk_Falls%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Cables_near_the_High_Bridge%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Cables_near_the_High_Bridge%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-PunchbowlFalls

250px-PunchbowlFalls

250px-Big_crib_wall%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Big_crib_wall%2C_Eagle_Creek_Trail

250px-Farewell-to-spring_%28Clarkia_amoena_var

250px-Farewell-to-spring_%28Clarkia_amoena_var

300px-TunnelFalls1

300px-TunnelFalls1

Tags