EAGLE CREEK-WAHTUM LAKE
WHERE: Take I 84 to Eagle Creek Recreational Area just before Cascade Locks. Follow signs to Eagle Creek trailhead.
THE TRAIL: Maybe the most popular Columbia River Gorge hikes due to the spectacular waterfalls that you pass and the relatively small elevation gain for the gorge. This is one of the few gorge trails that you will encounter large numbers of people deep into the hike as you can walk over 8 miles and only gain 1600 feet. The first part of the hike goes past many large Douglass Firs and rocky ledges leaking trickles of water down their mossy face. As you walk down the trail keep an eye out for waterfalls hidden away on both sides of the creek. You will notice many waterfalls that appear to pour out of nowhere in the middle of the mountainside. Other features that you will notice on the lower portion of the hike include Punchbowl falls, the high bridge and tunnel falls which is about 6.5 miles into the hike, well inside of the Columbia Wilderness Boundary. If you cannot go all the way to Wahtum Lake (26 mile round trip) at least go to Tunnel Falls if you have the time: You will actually walk through a tunnel blasted into the cliff that goes under a waterfall. Use caution if you have vertigo.
If you continue on the trail it will lift off of the creek that drains a predominance of the Columbia wilderness gaining sight of the steep mountains surrounding the drainage valleys that send the fruits of its snows and springs to the Columbia River. You can also choose to take the Eagle Tanner cut-off soon after 7 1/2 mile camp for a 23 mile loop providing a nice view point 4400 feet up. If you stay on the Eagle Creek trail after the fork, you will have a beautiful view of the Creek's valley within a mile. As you proceed you also have the option of taking Indian Springs trail # 435 to Wahtum Lake (elevation 3732). This route is a little more scenic bringing you up to 4200 feet with a couple extra nice views. Lots of Rhodedondren here. Reward yourself with a swim if you'd like after reaching the top. Another shorter option is staying on the Eagle Creek trail as it rises through forest that was burned down in 1902 (thanks to the abundant rainfall it has reached dense second growth forest stage). This portion of the trail rises along the East Fork of Eagle Creek (the creek over tunnel falls) taking you through a cornucopia of berry bushes (red and black huckleberry, blueberry, thimbleberry and salmonberry). After arriving at Whatum Lake you follow the Mt. Chinadre cut-off trail which is steep but short. You will then follow the Pacific Crest trail North which is relatively flat and offers some nice views of the western portion of this wilderness over the Eagle Creek valley and north toward Indian Mountain and Mt. Hood. This portion of the trail goes for about 3 miles before ascending again for a short time before reaching Benson Plateau. Benson Plateau is a flat section of the wilderness high above the valleys and is about 2.5 miles long and from .5 miles to 1 mile wide and is the begining of Ruckel Creek which starts from a spring high up on the plateau.
You can also take a loop back through Benson Plateau to Ruckel Creek taking you back to the Eagle Creek campground via the Gorge Trail. There is also shorter loop by taking the Eagle Benson cut-off trail soon after entering the wilderness (this trail is also described on this site). There are also many campsites with stone fire-circles along the several loop options for a two day adventure. I would strongly recommend getting the "Trails of the Columbia Gorge" guide so you have all possibilities at your disposal.