My goal for todays hike was Tunnel Falls. I ended up making it to there and on to Twister Falls just beyond for a thirteen mile adventure up the Eagle Creek Canyon.
I left my base in Hood River, Oregon at 5:30 AM and made it to the trailhead in half an hour. On the way I was treated to this view of Mount Adams across the Columbia in Washington in the early morning light. I was on the trail before 6:00 AM.
As soon as I left the parking area, the trail started it’s long steady climb up the canyon wall. This trail is an US Forest Service site and they do charge a $5.00 fee to park. My America the Beautiful Pass being the gift that keeps on giving covered the tab.
The extremely well made trail quickly gets you high above Eagle Creek as you head upstream. You gain elevation along the way but the grade is moderate and smooth.
It’s still wild flower season in the Columbia Gorge so occasionally I stopped to appreciate the small views too.
On this hike you will pass by several waterfalls. One of the first ones is Punch Bowl Falls. This one is about two miles in and is where a lot of families with small kids turn around. Beyond this point you’ll encounter far fewer people on the journey.
Another mile or so in is Loowit Falls which cascades over the west wall of Eagle Creek Canyon from a side stream.
Near the half way point to Tunnel Falls a narrow Eagle Creek flows through a narrow and deep gorge. This is where the trail crosses over the creek on the so called “High Bridge” and this is the view from it.
The views along this trail are spectacular.
If you’re afraid of heights this trail may be pushing the comfort zone a little. Here is the view of the “High Bridge” after I crossed it.
A thick carpet of ferns and other undergrowth lines much of the trail on the way upstream to the waterfalls.
Upstream from the “High Bridge” is Skoonichuk Falls. The best views are from well below these falls as the trail does not access the top of them at all.
It is a beautiful trail and in places the underbrush encroaches on the pathway.
Much of the trail is carved into cliff sides as it heads upstream.
I lost count of the waterfalls on the way up. All of them would have been star attractions by and of themselves if they had been the only fall on the trail but my goal was Tunnel Falls.
Finally I turned the corner and saw my goal. The trail passes through a tunnel behind the falls about half way between the top and bottom of the gorge.
The views inside the short tunnel are kind of unique. I didn’t get too wet from the mist and the constant dripping from the ceiling of the cave, however if you stayed their long enough you would.
The view from the other side looking back at the fall and the tunnel that gives it it’s name was pretty awesome.
After Tunnel Falls I decided to continue a little ways as there wasn’t any place right by that fall to relax and get ready for the six and a half mile return trip.
After a short stretch along a narrow ledge above the canyon I was treated to one more waterfall, aptly named Twister Falls.
At the top of this cascade their was a nice place to relax and enjoy the views. Now it was time to head back and enjoy the trail from the opposite direction.
Heading back to Tunnel Falls, this photo shows how narrow much of the trial is and how impressive the drop offs are. Many parts of the trail have these cables anchored into the rock wall to provide hand holds for the faint of heart.
Over hanging rocks lined parts of the trail on the way back.
Like a lot of places I’ve visited over the last few years in the Pacific Northwest, Eagle Creek Canyon had been subjected to a major wildfire in the recent past.
The lack of live trees in places opened up the views of the rock formations higher up the canyon walls. This impressive rock spire was eye catching.
The lack of a mature canopy allowed for more sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor and probably encouraged more wildflowers to grow including this one in the process of being pollinated.
After six hours I was back to the “High Bridge” and the halfway point to the trailhead.
It was nice to have clear blue skies for my hike. It happened that I was in the Hood River area right when they experienced a major wildfire that closed the interstate but since I was upwind of the fires, the smoke all blew to the east and away from Eagle Creek.
I did get to see one small reptile. I don’t know what the species was, but it was a pretty little snake.
Eight hours from when I started I finally arrived back at the trailhead.
The hike to and beyond Tunnel Falls is one of the more spectacular hikes I’ve been on in recent years. Considering the length it is a little easier than you would expect but still thirteen miles is a long walk and now I felt the need for a burger and a beer.
After a long day of hiking I stopped in the small nearby town of Cascade Locks and obtained my reward at a place called Thunder Island Brewing Company and enjoyed the view from the deck. Not a bad way to end the day.
The main reason I drove to Hood River and spent a couple of nights was to hike this trail. I managed to fit in a couple of other short hikes in on the trip and dodged a wildfire event. When I have time I will create another post Covering those adventures but until then I hope you enjoy the photos from one of the better hikes I’ve ever been on.
