Why Eagle Creek Trail is Still One of Oregon’s Best Hikes

There are times on the Eagle Creek Trail where you completely forget that it was the birthplace of one of Oregon’s largest and most publicized wildfires in the past decade.

In fall, the canyon ablaze with golden color as waterfalls tumble down the cliff faces from all directions, reminding hikers why this has long been considered one of Oregon’s top five hikes.

Even in the burnt spots – and the impact is clear – the burn scar isn’t overwhelming for much of the hike. There are many low intensity fires, often referred to as “good fires”, where the trees may have black burn marks but the canopy is intact and the forest floor is covered in ferns, moss or the color golden big leaf maple.

But every once in a while you hear it – the creak and crash of a fire-weakened tree splitting and crumbling in the canyon. Because while the trail has largely “cured” from the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017, the blazes from five years ago will make it an unstable and dynamic place of falling trees and landslides for coming years.

“The vast majority of trees that were killed in the fire are still standing with weakened root structures, which means they are falling fairly steadily,” said Karen Davis, spokesperson for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. . “There are also frequent debris and landslides. Even though five years have passed since the fire, there is still a lot of danger or at least things to watch out for, especially after big storms.

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Indeed, even after Eagle Creek Trail officially reopened last year, it was repeatedly closed or blocked by landslides. And it is likely to happen again.

But at least for now – from November – the road is clear for the spectacular 3.3 miles to High Bridge. Beyond that, the next 3 miles to Tunnel Falls has mudslides that make the hike difficult and at least one creek crossing semi-difficult, but still open and doable.

And it’s still one of the best hikes in Oregon, especially among those that generally stay open all winter except for a few low-level snowstorms and the aforementioned landslides.

As always, there are a million things to enjoy on the trail, including fall colors, walking around the edges of tall cliffs, and views of endless waterfalls – including Punchbowl Falls.

“The fire opened up the view so that after a rain storm you can see dozens of waterfalls that were previously obscured by living trees,” Davis said.

What I’ve always appreciated is how perfectly it can set up the type of day you want to have.