Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek

We promise we did more than just eat while in Portland! We went shopping, walked around NW Portland, drove through neighborhoods picking out potential dream homes, met new friends and almost got tattoos! (well only Kelly) One of our favorite parts of the trip, however, was our hike in Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls and Oneonta Gorge where Amy led us on an American Ninja Warrior obstacle course to get a better glimpse of the gorge. Even though we almost died, it was so fun and incredibly gorgeous. Here are some pictures of that excursion!

We started out with Eagle Creek, about 40 miles east of Portland. Portland Hikers calls it “the quintessential hike in the Columbia River Gorge, boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest”. Lush is right, it was beautiful! 

Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
We went to Punchbowl Falls. Next time, we’re heading to the lake!

Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Kelly, Steph and Amy.
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
LDBaking on the trail!
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Could we have picked a more beautiful trail to hike?
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Trying to look sporty and adventurous on the trail.
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
And Amy was worried we wouldn’t have fun because of the rain…all smiles here!
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Kelly, Amy, Steph
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Punchbowl Falls!
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Do you see the falls in the background??
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
We had to hike BAREFOOT to get a view of the falls from the bottom. It was freezing!!
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Halfway point of the hike.
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Amy striking a pose precariously on the rocks.
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Isn’t it gorgeous?!

We hopped back in the car, ditched a couple of layers of now wet clothes, and headed west for more excitement.. We opted to take the Columbia River Scenic Byway as opposed to the freeway and were greeted with waterfall after waterfall after waterfall! Our next stop was the Oneonta Gorge. From Portland Hikers: “Oneonta Gorge is not accessible by trail. Rather you must walk up the creek bed, over a large and perhaps unstable log jam, through the gorge, and up to your waist (or even torso depending on your height and the time of year) in water until you finally see your prize.”

If only we had read that description before we got there. All of a sudden Amy was just walking across logs, over boulders and looking back like “come on guys, hurry up!” While we definitely didn’t hike up to our waist to get to the falls, it was still an exciting adventure. Stephanie is very proud she was the only one to not fall in and get her feet wet! However if we ever go back in the summer, this full hike would be really fun with warm weather and proper shoes.

Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Seriously…look how cool and adventurous we are! There was definitely no screaming involved…
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
A look at the treacherous maze Amy took us on to get a good view of the gorge: across a log, over some rocks, teeter-totter over some smaller logs…you get the idea.
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Another look the maze we were half way on to get a better a view of the gorge. It doesn’t look hard, but there was major risk of injury 😉
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
Once we finally survived and got a glimpse of the gorge, we were in much better spirits (also I think adrenaline had kicked in)
Portland: Hiking Eagle Creek | longdistancebaking.com
We made it to the log jam! You can see how pretty the gorge is further back, but after this point I have a feeling the hike gets a lot more wet. Guess we need to come back in the summer!

I think we both agree that this hike was one the highlights of the trip! It felt good to be active after so much eating and to see the beautiful scenery of Oregon! And Amy, thank you for leading us on this adventure 🙂

~Kelly & Stephanie



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