Hike Archives - Lacamas Magazine

Hike the Eagle Creek Trail to Punchbowl Falls for a one-of-a-kind Northwest hike

by Haley Childers

Whether you’re a Pacifc Northwest native or just outdoorsy and looking for adventure, the Eagle Creek Trail to Punchbowl Falls is a definite must for the beginning of an adventurous summer. The Trail boasts incomparable views from tall heights that other trails don’t offer. Make sure you make it down to the water for a fun swim at the falls after your hike, and you’ll forget you ever huffed and puffed your way up there!

While you’ll only need to walk about 1 ½ miles in until you reach the break off trail which has a path leading down to the waterfall. The Eagle Creek Trail is actually the trailhead for about 6 other trails. Don’t be surprised if you run into PCT hikers passing through, as the trail ultimately leads to Mexico. Many PCT hikers like to divert from the usual course to take in the powerful views of the Eagle Creek Gorge.

A moderately easy hike, all you’ll need to bring with you is water, some snacks, and if you’ve worked up a sweat getting there, your swim trunks. Don’t forget your GoPro if you have one, as the waterfall at Punchbowl is far from standing ground; you can get some really fun pictures if you dare to swim to it. As for the trail, it would be wise not to bring your young kids with you. It is steep in some places, but the real concern is that there are cliffs on the side of the trail in certain areas, and for that reason it isn’t recommended to bring small children or pets with you.

What is amazing about the trail is that it was built in the early 1900s to preserve parkland areas in the Columbia River Gorge. Workers used dynamite to blast through the rock in certain areas and create the trail. Their work to protect the area from becoming industrialized made it possible for us to have access to incredible views that are incomparable to say the least.

Take caution where you park your car. While the trail is a popular one, it is known that cars are often broken into in the parking lot outside the trail. It is recommended to park in the lower parking lot near the fish hatchery because there is a park host there who supervises the area during the summer. Make sure you do what you can to protect your car: don’t leave any belongings or valuables, take ID information with you, and leave the doors unlocked to insure that the windows don’t get broken in.

Driving Directions to Punchbowl Falls

Eagle Creek Trailhead: Traveling eastbound on I-84, take Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road. You will go past a footbridge (that takes hikers up to Wauna Viewpoint) as the road narrows to one lane. Continue a short ways to a large parking lot; park only in designated spaces. NW Forest Pass required. Coming from the east, there is no westbound exit at Exit #41/Eagle Creek. You must continue on I-84 and get off at Exit #40/Bonneville Dam, get back on the interstate and head east for one mile to Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road. You will go past a footbridge (that takes hikers up to Wauna Viewpoint) as the road narrows to one lane. Continue a short ways to a large parking lot; park only in designated spaces. NW Forest Pass required.

Driving Directions.

Photo by Haley Childers.

Dog Mountain Trail, which begins right off Highway 14 in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, is an aggressive hike that is used by many to help with conditioning for runs or longer hikes.

“It took us three hours to do it,” said Steve Hoskisson, of Camas, who hiked the trail recently with his son, Logan. “It doesn’t look hard until you’re in there a bit. We enjoyed it, though.”

Start point: Dog Mountain Trailhead

End point: Dog Mountain
Trail Log: Trail Log
Hike type: Loop
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation gain: 2800 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: Spring-Fall
Family Friendly: No
Back-packable: No
Crowded: Yes

This is a popular trail, and the trailhead is known to be crowded at peak seasons. You may want to save time and reserve a shuttle at Stevenson. The schedule is available here: http://www.skamaniacounty.org/TRANSPORTATION/WKND_TRNS.pdf

Hikers recommend taking Dog Mountain during the weekdays or early in the morning on weekends — to avoid crowds.

Dog Mountain Trailhead

Dog Mountain is a popular hike because of its easy access to the Columbia Gorge, breathtaking views, and proximity to the Portland Metro area. But know that looks can be deceiving — the trails are very steep and will require conditioned and healthy hikers. Prime hiking time is Spring through Fall, offering stunning wildflower vistas through June, and beautiful Autumn foliage in October. The easiest part of the hike is the first 1.5 miles up to the lower viewpoint.

At the trailhead, hikers walk along Trail 147 for 0.7 miles to a junction, which then leads to the open forest floor in the lower portion of the trail. The trail offers two options — a more difficult and less difficult route. Hiker have had varying opinions on which is better. You decide what looks best for you.

The trail gets much steeper, and then you will see the summit meadows as you climb. From here, two trails go to the top and create a loop. The main trail veers to the left, towards a meadow known for high Gorge winds. Plan for that.

In about 4/10 of a mile you will pass a signed junction. Continue up, on the right hand trail, which is the Summit Loop Trail. At the top of the meadow, follow a short spur trail to a fire ring and a great location for eating and resting. You can return the same way, or continue southeast on the Summit Loop Trail, which meets the main trail at Puppy Dog Lookout. From Puppy Dog Lookout, you can return to the trailhead.

You may also use Augspurger Trail.

Driving Directions to Dog Mountain

From Carson, drive approximately 9 miles east on State Route 14 to the trail-head, just beyond milepost 53. The parking area and trailhead are on the left (north) side of the highway.