Eagle Creek Trail Guide

[@styverdyver]

My wife and I are so glad we found your coverage of this wonderful trail! We traveled in our new truck to Wyoming and backpacked 3 days in the Gros Ventre mountain range; then made it to the Eagle Creek Trail in 1985. We camped at the campground off of I84 and that was our starting point for the trail in June. We hiked up to Wahtum Lake (camping on snow), and made our way back down the next day. It is a fond memory of our past adventures! It is so beautiful up there! We are now senior citizens but would love to return to do it again! Thank you for your fantastic coverage of our wonderful adventure so many years ago!

[@mudhens4ever]

I have hiked all over the United States. The Eagle Creek Trail is indeed one of the most beautiful I have been on. I first hiked this trail when I moved to Oregon in 1978. Between then and 2012, I’ll bet I hiked it 100 times; maybe 150. There were a few years I didn’t hike it at all, though. Finally, I got back to it, my favorite trail, in 2012. I started early, knowing it might be crowded even on a weekday. I hiked all the way to Tunnel Falls, but I did something unusual for me: I bypassed the side trail to Punch Bowl Falls. Once at Tunnel Falls, I turned back and decided I would go down to visit Punchbowl Falls. What a disappointment. It was mobbed. There were people on flotation devices in the water. Somebody had a boombox turned on extra loud. There were coolers everywhere, one tied to both sides of the creek and floating in the middle. There were beach towels everywhere. There were people everywhere. There were beach chairs. Two camping tables had been set up. There was no peace, no quiet, no nature, just noise and people. I have never gone back. But HikingGuy is correct: it is a gorgeous hike.

[@finkmj53]

I am definitely warming up to the idea of travelling around the US and hiking to high points or on epic trails. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@rudolphlautner9218]

I worked on a trail crew this summer restoring a good section of the Eagle Tanner trail post-fire. Hiked down to the falls on our weekend and camped not far from the Indian Springs junction. Such good memories so happy I found this video!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you for your work! I can imagine it was quite a job. This was the first time I was back since before the fire and I was happy to see that the lower stretches were pretty much the same as before. It isn't until you pass 7.5 mile camp that you an really see the devastation.

[@ckzf1842]

Thanks for this walk, lovely, very scenic !

[@johnharp6659]

Thank You Hiking Guy. I started hiking this trail with my father when I was six. Now I live in Chicago but miss this hike greatly. This video brings back such great memories. Thank you. P.S. I heard about the fire (even out here) and feared the worst. Glad to see it has not lost its character.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad you got to experience this trail - it's a classic - and the core part of the hike is as beautiful as ever - the upper slopes are pretty bad though - you should come back - the whole area is so nice

[@livetravelwithMaryandMom]

Beautiful video! Adding this trail to my solo hiking. I remember went to Multnomah fall and hiked up for a few miles 10 yrs ago. It was beautiful. Thank you.

[@deusfiatlux5160]

Gorgeous Trail! I hope to be able to experience this beautiful trail sometime in the near future. Thanks for sharing and for bringing us along.

[@thathikingguy]

Thanks for this. This is one of my bucket list trails. It’s so beautiful

[@dorindaalberthal1316]

Great memories of hiking eagle creek many times with my kids when they were little and as adults. Just a beautiful trail. So many great trails in the gorge. Enjoy your time in the Pacific Northwest. Safe & Happy trails🥾

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, one of my fave places too, I used to work for the Blazers (basketball team that is) and spent a lot of time up here in the past

[@flammingdragon]

I'm from Detroit but my mom moved to eastern Oregon and 2 weeks ago i visited and convinced her to go to the gorge. I needed 3 more days easy lol. needless to say I have a better idea of what im doing and this video will help make my next vacation amazing👏 thanks bro!!!!

[@Hikingguy]

Awesome, glad you got to check it out - this trail is one of my alltime faves.

[@dougbillbeaver]

Great video Haz ! I was talking to an Eagle-Dolphin and was told this was absolutely the most gorgeous gorge he'd ever seen ! I have to agree ! Wow !

[@Hikingguy]

Doug!!!! Hope you're well man! Miss sailing... & yea, this area is pretty incredible / unlike any other spot, happy it opened up again... stay wet amigo!

[@aaroncowan9832]

I lived in Vancouver WA for 4 years and spent every day in the gorge. Eagle creek caught fire and was closed for years but even after its still beautiful. Dog mountain, cape point lookout, horsetail falls, Multnomah, eagle creek... so many beautiful places. Unfortunately there are a lot of car break ins as the pull offs for the trailheads are off the highway. I once parked to hike and saw a dozen or so vehicles with smashed windows in the lot. Horrible how people ruin someone's day in nature.

[@Perfumery_by_Sabin]

Wow. I would be so pissed

[@Cthomp91]

Was just there today! It was so fun!

[@petebrown2845]

Great video. We'd be traveling cross country to do this hike. What time of year do you recommend to avoid crowds and have the best scenery? Thanks for posting!

[@Hikingguy]

Anytime outside of the summer, but know it's popular so expect to see other people all year

[@RagingBaby]

Absolutely beautiful

[@jennymacdonald5323]

Thanks for the great video! We r heading to do the Eagle Creek Trail end of Sept but not sure I want to go past tunnel falls because of the cliffs. How wide are the narrowest part of the trail think?

[@Hikingguy]

Probably about 4 feet, it's not that bad and he narrow parts have a chain to hold.

[@Fortuneadventures]

I love watching this on video but I will be going this weekend to experience first hand. I'm a bit nervous about some of the wet narrow trails with huge drop offs...but I can't wait.

[@Hikingguy]

You'll be fine, the video always look worse than real life. Just hold the chain and you'll be good. Have fun!

[@jlw1116Mfd]

Are there turnouts near the cabled trails for hikers to pass each others going both directions on the trail? Great video!

[@Hikingguy]

They're generally short enough that you don't need to, or can wait until people pass

[@leachz]

I’ve wanted to do this hike for so long, but I’m afraid of heights and the cable sections make me nervous. It is so beautiful though, and I appreciate this video! Now I have an idea of what to expect if I ever decide to go for it.

[@N617A]

When you get to the cable sections, grab the cable, hug the side, let people pass you closely and keep you eyes either on the path or on the horizon/things that are outward and not downward. Go slow and be easy. It’s worth doing at least once!!!

[@leachz]

@@N617A I might actually give it a shot, and will keep these suggestions in mind. Thank you!

[@N617A]

@@leachz awesome sauce! And don’t forget, you don’t have to go all the way. Take it as slow as you need to. PS: I’m a pilot. That’s what we tel our passengers who are afraid of heights. Look OUT. Not down.

[@leachz]

@@N617A Interesting you say that, because I have a history of panic attacks on flights LOL, except for me it isn’t the altitude/height, it is the turbulence and the takeoff/landing… which might sound strange given my fear of heights. Im actively trying to conquer my fear of heights though, and when I hiked High Rock Lookout this past summer I did ok! If I can do that, I’m sure I can do this one 😁

[@N617A]

@@leachz oh for sure. Just go slow! And yea. Turbulence for me was kinda scary too. After driving semi and riding theme park rides for many years (took me a LONG time to work up to the big ones believe you me…) I don’t really feel it too much anymore.

[@vrilarraga6438]

Great video! How many kilometers are round trip? Is a all family hike?

[@Hikingguy]

Check the link in the description

[@ryan_hakes]

Great video thank you!

[@marilynsikes4726]

Hello, I love you video of this Eagle Creek Trail. I will be northbound on PCT. I want to take the Eagle Creek trail down the mountain. Is there trail signage at Wahtum Lake for Eagle Creek Trail?

[@Hikingguy]

That's a great option, and yes, there's signage at Wahtum, you should be fine. Have fun!

[@ryanhakoda]

Beast! Thanks for the info. How long did the hike take round trip? I’m going in a few weeks and will probably turn around at Twisted Falls since I’ve got a limited amount of time

[@Hikingguy]

Check out the guide on the website, I have timing up there - and pretty much any of the trail is a great experience, it's nonstop beauty!

[@kateb6893]

Spectacular

[@kermit1]

I want to move to Portland so bad. Wish there were trails this beautiful in LA.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, lots of good trails in PDX but LA is pretty good too, consdiering you can hit the desert, Sierras, etc. - luckily it's only a 2 hr flight away, great place for a visit

[@MichelleMercado-ck7ws]

Is it beautiful but they don't have any guard rails at the corners of the bridges!!! Thanks for sharing ☺️

[@suneblack]

Awesome video

[@bombyxvintage5431]

Really appreciate how thorough this whole video is as I'm planning a backpacking trip and haven't been able to find much good information on camping there. Going to go look at the rest of the information you have available now!! One question- have heard that parking can be pretty unsafe for overnighters. Lots of break ins and stolen catalytic converters... has this gotten any better? Is the bigger lot better to park in or the smaller one closer to the trailhead? I'm considering even driving an extra hour and a half just to park at Wahtum Lake so my vehicle will be safe (and I won't be worrying about it the whole trip.)

[@Hikingguy]

I've never had a problem parking right at the trailhead but I have heard of the break-ins. Generally I don't leave anything valuable out, open the glove box and center console, etc., make it look boring. Some folks park down by the hatchery where there is regular traffic from rangers, workers, etc. which is probably the best bet.

[@bombyxvintage5431]

@@Hikingguy Thanks very much! I'm completely mind blown by how thorough your hiking posts are. Really appreciate your obsessive attention to ALL details!!! Amazing! Heading to Eagle Creek tomorrow. :)

[@Hikingguy]

@@bombyxvintage5431 Thank you and have fun! I'll be a few hours away in Bend tomorrow - weather looks good for OR....

[@bombyxvintage5431]

Had an amazing trip. Your GPX file helped us find 7.5 mile campsite. Some kids told us we were at 7.5 mile campsite when we weren’t. So I turned on my Garmin and it got us there! Also wanted to let you know that Wy’East campsite is open again, we stayed there on our second night. Thx again!

[@Hikingguy]

@@bombyxvintage5431 ahh that's great to know, glad the waypoint helped out - that "campsite" is def hard to spot - and thanks for letting me know aobut Wy'East - will update the guide now

[@jackiamato138]

Get recap of this hike, I can see what is in store for me come this summer. Can I ask how you filmed the hike? I would love to film along the trail but it makes me nervous thinking about holding a camera and walking. Any suggestion? I’m wondering if a go-pro would work on a chest mount? I’ll have to look into if there are go-pro mounts for backpacks 🎒

[@Hikingguy]

This was shot holding a GoPro. As long as you don't have trekking poles you should be okay holding it. On the chains section, just keep one hand on the chain.

[@cguardado6333]

Amazing!

[@neverhomepnw]

Is 7.5 mile camp the only place you can camp at?

[@wilinwithwiley]

Miss my childhood trails! #exploringmyworld #wilinwithwiley

[@elissamatos7193]

Do you need a permit to backpack to Wahtum lake?

[@Hikingguy]

www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53322

[@TimCleese]

Wish there was more T&A on that trail. Too cold I guess.

[@hairyareola2443]

Would it still be lush and green Thanksgiving weekend ? Or would it be kind of bare cause of the winter

[@Hikingguy]

Yea it's generally green all the time and I think it was a pretty wet winter in the PNW.

[@Boojyman]

just did this trail on friday, so freaking beautiful omg. I wanted to reach wahtum lake but at about the 10 mile mark the trail is littered with too much tree limb debris

[@Boojyman]

Going up starvation ridge trail next week

[@Hikingguy]

Nice glad you got to check it out - it's def a classic and those trees are tough to get through - it'll prob be better in July when the crews can get there and fix, but the trees are always a thing, especially in the burn areas

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

didnt open west horse thief trail. closed ( cleveland nationsl forest)

[@ItsChrisAngeles]

Thank you

[@leonfisher]

Wow!

[@jas0609]

Wow!!

[@LC444]

HikingGuy why didn’t you also bag chendere Mountain. It is only a short distance away

[@Hikingguy]

I've done it before and it was way to snowy, prob impassable with the gear I had on at the time.

[@MZZPRECIOUS7]

How is this hike in October

[@Hikingguy]

Salmon spawning, beautiful, maybe snow in the upper parts

[@billhackley3540]

that's a fair amount of snow, i'm only hitting patches in the shade at 6,000 ft. on my trail work. elevation? stunning trail!!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, much colder up here - the snow started around 2800 feet - all the cold air rushes down from Mt Hood, meets the moisture from the Pacific - wasn't expecting it this early in the year (early Nov) but it was sure there - we were going to camp at the lake but too cold, we ended up heading back down to 1600 feet or so for a toasty 38F night in the rain...

[@cguardado6333]

Beutiful

[@leapheap6837]

There’s been multiple deaths of people falling throughout the years on this trail.

[@Perfumery_by_Sabin]

Yes there have. Don’t go people. VERY SCARY……

[@scampeezo]

Yeah and don't move here either... all of Oregon is a death trap.

[@Perfumery_by_Sabin]

Just tell me what I need to know without the spoiler of the views the entire time.

[@Hikingguy]

Just stop complaining and watch a different video