Sunday, February 14, 2016

2016.2.14. Eagle Creek

2/14, Sunday. Rain. Low 50°Fs. Eagle Creek to Twisted Falls is my favorite waterfall hike. It passes through numerous waterfalls, hike-able all year round, within an hour from Portland. Today, we counted 30, from draping veils to white thunder, plus numerous cascades. It's a treat on a rainy day. Armed with my brand new trekking umbrella, I didn't event get wet, except for my muddy pant legs.

The bridge over Fish Creek is damaged, so you cross the creek by hopping rocks/logs. Not too difficult. Certainly won't be a problem in a couple of months, when water level is lower. In front of Wy'east Falls, the creek crossing is of similar difficulty. The last 3 waterfalls are spectacular, it would be a pity if you turn back at the broken bridge. Tunnel Falls (at ~mile 6) attracts most cameras, because you can go behind the falls in a hole blasted out by the engineers. The water volume is too high to see the twist effect of the Twister Falls Other than the last half mile between Tunnel Falls and Twister Falls, my favorite stretch is the High Bridge (at mile 3.5), where a short steel bridge straddles a narrow straight chasm of 120', with the creek rushing beneath.

We turned back shortly after Twister Falls. My phone registered 31k steps, so about 13 miles.