Eagle Creek to Twister Falls- 14 mile waterfall hike

New work schedule: Mondays are the new Fridays!
Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most spectacular and easy (but see my “difficulty” notes below) waterfall hikes in the Gorge. Let's get out there while water levels are still high! Monday should be a good opportunity to avoid the crowds.

Photo from last year's unexpectedly all-ladies (plus me) event.

• Difficulty: I'm escalating this from easy to now moderate, due to reports of blow down, creek crossings, and of course the length; Gentle grading, but the cliff-side trail gets up to 120-250 feet high and does get narrow in spots (Don't worry... plenty of hand cables)
• Hiking distance: 14 miles RT
• Elevation gain: 1640 feet
• Total hiking time: 4-6 hours or more, depending on group pace and photo breaks
• Total driving distance: 82 miles RT; If carpooling from somewhere like Gateway Transit Center at 7:15, then $8 recommended gas contribution to driver(s) unless determined otherwise
• Dogs: Only if they have strong stamina and are comfortable with narrow passages that are cut into abrupt cliffs, and you are willing to drive them
• The Plan: Meet at (or carpool to) the trailhead at 08:00. Then…

We’ll pass waterfall after waterfall, each more spectacular than the last: Metlako Falls, Punchbowl Falls, Loowit Falls, the High Bridge, Skoonichuck Falls, Wy’East Falls, the Potholes, Tunnel Falls, the dreaded “Vertigo Mile,” and finally good ol’ Twisty… the mesmerizing waterfall that will be our grand finale encore. After a lunch break, we’ll head back to the cars.

If you feel like swimming (I may), please wait until near the end so we can wrap up the event on time.

• My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5--3.5 mph when not running), but I welcome trekkers of all reasonable hiking speeds. We’ll always stop for photos and an occasional snack break, but when we’re moving it’s gonna be at a workout pace. There is no such thing as too many quick photo breaks.

Bring: 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing including rain gear, a camera, and shoes with good traction. Poles could be useful.

It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, um, “Eleven” Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Knife/tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.
11. Stitch's spaceship

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.