My guess is that about everyone in the Portland area has hiked the Eagle Creek Trail and on a summer weekend you would bet that they are all there. It is, however a close in, easy and beautiful hike. I did the hike on a weekend in July, and was able to miss most of the craziness. How did I do it? I got an early start; my recommendation is get to the trailhead around 8 AM. If you get there too late the upper lot will be filled and you are likely to have to park a mile or so down the road. Of course another alternative is do on a weekday in the off season.

To get to the trailhead go east on I-84 from Portland, Oregon and take Exit 41/Eagle Creek and watch for the signs to Eagle Creek, the trailhead is less then a mile from highway.

Since this is an up and back hike you can make it as long as you want. I went to Tunnel Falls which is 13 miles round trip and that is what I would recommend. You will need to sign in and get a Northwest Forest Pass, but you do this at the trailhead so it is no sweat.

 The trail itself is a real marvel, there are sections that where literally carved from shear cliffs. At several places a steel cable has been attached to use as a hand rail. If you are unstable a foot or are afraid of heights this may not be the best hike for you. There are two bridges built over the river that provide an interesting perspective on the river churning under you. My highlight was Tunnel Falls where a tunnel was drilled behind the falls, so you enter the tunnel on one side of the falls and emerge on the other.

 

Along the trail you are going to be treated several water falls, Metlako (named for a native goddess of salmon), Punchbowl, Loowit, Skooknichuck and Tunnel. These are all marked, with trails leading down to them and with lookout points to take pictures.

  

 If you are considering camping you need to check at the trail head about any restrictions. Camping is not permitted below High Bridge, although there is a hosted camp ground near the highway. I have heard good things about camping in the area above Tunnel Falls, one that I have heard good reports about is 7.5 mile camp. I know that when I hiked the trail there were a number of people camped along the way and there were a number of nice camping spots that were open. Keep in mind that this is wilderness camping so there are no facilities and you need to practice Leave-no-trace camping.