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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Eagle Creek Trail, the Perfect Place for a Blogger Meetup

We've stayed in Portland numerous times and, as usual, I look for new and interesting places to hike. One search a couple of years ago acquainted me with Linda, a Portlander who hikes (and skis) and writes and photographs for her blog: Linda's Lens.  We started following each other and have finally managed to meet up...over hiking and beers, of course!

Breakside Brewery was a tasty place to meet in person and choose the hike we'd do together. Eagle Creek Trail is probably the most popular trail in the Columbia Gorge, which may be the reason Hans and I had yet to hike it. Fortunately Linda was happy to take a day off from work so we could be at the trailhead early on a Tuesday. At 8:30am there were about a half dozen cars in the parking lot...when we left in the early afternoon it was overflowing.

The trail passes in and out of lush green forest.

The forest occasionally opens up to walls of lichen covered basalt and views across the canyon
with Eagle Creek tumbling along far below us.

Look away at the wrong time and you just might miss Metlako Falls,
seen from afar as it bursts from the opposite canyon wall.

Several small streams flowed into Eagle Creek from our side of the canyon.

A couple miles into the hike we reached lovely Punchbowl Falls.This is a popular turnaround point for many people, so it can get busy. I was surprised to learn it is a 100 foot drop, it did not seem that tall to me. It's a stunning setting, crystal clear water and high rock walls dripping with water and greenery.

Punchbowl Falls 
 
Hanging garden.

Linda in her element.

Moving on we came to a viewpoint of the top of Punchbowl Falls...
looks a little scary, doesn't it? We did not go there!



A tree fell on this bridge many months ago but it was easy to get around with the low seasonal creek flow.

Loowit Falls

It's very difficult to see due to heavy foliage, but this is a deep, narrow sliver of a gorge...

Fortunately there was a bridge over the gorge so we could look straight down into shimmering, clear Eagle Creek.



Turning around at High Bridge we made our way back into the forest...

and back along the sheer cliffs.

We followed up our beautiful 6.5 mile hike with beer and a view at Thunder Island Brewing, just down the road in Cascade Locks.


Stern wheeler on the Columbia River.

It was so much fun to meet Linda and hike one of the most iconic local trails with her. She takes full advantage of living in an area chock full of incredible photo opportunities...check out her blog for some excellent hiking ideas and her gorgeous photography. With any luck we'll meet up again down the road!

25 comments:

  1. Oh we enjoyed that trail too way back in 2012. There is also a biking path there a historic trail on the other side of the road.
    Anyhow, it looks like your foot issue has healed as you are now able to hike 6.6 miles!
    Blogger meet up is always fun and exciting.

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    1. Nope, still have plantar fasciitis...I'm just allowing myself occasional hikes because I'm in such beautiful country!

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  2. It was great to meet you and Hans and show you one of the most beautiful trails in the Gorge (and share some good beer too!). Until we meet again - happy travels! :)

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    1. It was a great day! Thanks for showing us a little bit of your territory!

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  3. A hike with a local and beer with a view. Perfect.
    Box Canyon

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  4. Neat looking canyon. Been reading Linda's blog for a long time. Both your hikes are inspring!

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  5. Really beautiful falls and cascades. Such a great hike, I can see why it is so popular. Glad to see you out on the trail but sorry to hear the plantar fascitis is still around. Do you know how you got it?

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    1. Yes, wearing my Teva sandals and walking many miles on hard surfaces while we were in San Diego. I guess they just didn't have the support my feet needed...even though they felt comfortable.

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  6. Wow...that is gorgeous. What a fun time.

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  7. Beautiful photos Lisa...love all the waterfalls. Punchbowl Falls photo was my favorite!

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  8. What a beautiful hike. I can see that Jim and I will need to spend some time in Portland, for some reason it's always been a transit for us. Sorry the foot is still bad, PF is just a bear to get rid of.

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    1. Portland does have its share of traffic...though I don't believe it's as bad as Seattle!

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  9. Love your blog and the photos. Happy you got to meet Linda. She and I had lunch together in downtown Portland, but I haven't hiked with her yet. I'm sure on one of my visits to Portland we can find time to do a hike together.

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    1. Yes, it was so neat to meet up with her! Isn't it great to have relatives in such a beautiful area?!

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  10. It's easy to see why that's such a popular hike! The waterfalls, creek, and forest are gorgeous—and your photos are wonderful. Glad to see you hiking, but I'm sorry to hear the plantar fasciitis is still acting up. I'm sure you're icing after you hike—that helped Eric a lot when he had it.

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  11. Such a beautiful hike. I love the falls and the pretty little lake. Wonderful pic of the creek bed from the bridge - looks like dragon scales :-) Always fun to meet up with fellow bloggers and enjoy a good brew at the end of a fun day.

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    1. I thought the water was really neat too, dragon scales is a interesting metaphor!

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  12. How could I forget?? Good job on the shirt choice Hans!!

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    1. YES! Gotta encourage the bright colors for our hikes!

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  13. Beautiful hike! I'm sure it wasn't pleasant for you foot, but worth pain...maybe!? I love all the falls, always a favorite when hiking. Those people were crazy standing on that total slope over the Punchbowl Falls!! How nice to meet up with a fellow blogger and a local! That is a gorgeous photo at the brewery. Nice "Beer with a View!" Take care of the foot and hope all heals REAL soon:)

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