It was fun to lead five hikers up the historic Eagle Creek Trail on their first visit to this trail. The trail was the first purpose-built trail for recreation in Oregon to give tourists driving their Ford Model T's up the new Columbia River Highway (built in 1913-1922) something to do in the Gorge. The trail follows Eagle Creek, at times high above the creek along basalt cliffs. We saw five waterfalls before stopping for lunch along the creek at 4 1/2 mile bridge. Many trees showed signs of the 2017 fire, but were still living in the first 3 miles up the trail. But further up many trees were not only blackened, but dead. The understory is green with a variety of shrubs and some flowers. Hikers were Ann Adamcik, Carl Halter, Pam Thomas, Candice Bullard, Sumon Montri, and leader Roz Shirack.
From front to back: Carl Halter, Pam Thomas, Ann Adamcik, Sumon Montri,
and Candice Bullard on the cliff face high above Eagle Creek.
Punchbowl Falls
Loowit Falls
Skoonichuk Falls
Lunch stop at 4 1/2 mile bridge. Left to right:
Pam Thomas, Sumon Montri, Ann Adamcik, and Candice Bullard
