thank you - that website is helpful - I am trying my best to keep the visit to this area during the week, when it was put on the bucket list, I did not realize how busy of an area it was - we may have to just make sure we are up and on the trails for sunrise -hopefully back before everyone wakes up :). This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. From Portland, OR: Travel east on Interstate 84 to Bridal Veil, Exit #28. we arrived by 8am and had no issues parking. I could not imagine doing this crossing in the early Spring, but it was pretty manageable, there was logs you can navigate over. It takes you around the base of the Sentinel Peak before youll encounter a rocky section. According to him they are harmless. Lat: 45.58487 | Lon: -121.85191 | Ele: 1,142 ft | Current weather: 67 and Clear (see monthly averages) Oregon Hike to this impressive 172-foot Oregon waterfall. This part is rather tricky, with a towering cliff on one side and a steep drop on the other. Just use that log as a hand holder and walk across the lower washout logs. Go on a weekday, early morning to avoid crowds and UV exposure! United States ; Oregon (OR) Oregon Travel Forum; Search. Take the path to the right and walk alongside the highway for nearly a half mile. The destination for canine day hikers is often Tunnel Falls, where a rock passage is carved behind the thundering 175-foot cataract. Great views of Mt Hood. This hike begins at the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Tunnel Falls is located 5.9 miles from Eagle Creek Trailhead in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. FIRE CLOSURE: From Sep 25, 2020 May 15, 2021 there are closures in this park or area due to wildfire. Key coordinates: Ruckle Creek Trail #405 Trailhead: 45.645264, -121.918747. Travel about 6 miles to the parking area, which is a small pullout on the south side of the highway. Honestly, while the waterfall is very nice, after having done this adventure I didn't think it was really worth the extreme amount of effort to get there as there are many other, more beautiful and much-easier-to-get-to waterfalls in the Gorge than killing yourself with this one. Overall a decent Sunday morning hike! Thor would try to strike the Devil with thunder and lightning and once the Devil retaliated by scooping up a handful of earth and hurling it at Thor. Days will be shorter too, making an early start necessary to make sure youre back before nightfall. If you're on the hunt for incredible cascades in Oregon, you've come to the right place! Ending point: Lemmons Viewpoint. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The road up to the hike is pretty much paved, but in the last quarter mile of the drive there are some terrible potholes! Although people enjoy taking the stairs down to the creek bed . Note: The overlook at Metlako Falls is closed. Super amazing hike! The hike to Tunnel Falls is one of the most storied day trips in the Pacific Northwest (see the long list of guidebooks below). We left him a bar as well. 2 main things to know: first, you need a parking pass BEFORE arriving at the trailhead - stop at the Zigzag Ranger Station (they also have maps) or buy online; second, you will have to cross the Sandy River, and there is NO BRIDGE. - Sandy River crossing River crossing was slightly harder than years past, but it was still totally doable! The last time I hiked here I cut in too early (at the last switchback before heading up the hill) and ended up climbing over three falling logs. It's off trail, and is essentially hiking down a muddy cliff, that also has rocks that slide when you climb down. I was so excited to do this trail only to find out it was closed. Horsetail Falls is a waterfall in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, to the west of Lake Tahoe in the Desolation Wilderness of El Dorado County, California, United States. Tunnel falls via Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge is a very scenic hiking trail with many waterfalls. Its located between 2 peaks, the Sentinel and Beacon Buttress. Thanks so much! Refreshing mist at the waterfall. According to oregonhikers.org, the trail is 12 miles with 1640 feet elevation gain, so going by Naismith's Rule of 3 miles per hour + 1/2 hour per 1000 feet gain, that would take almost 5 hours. Tyson Gillard The Eagle Creek Hike to Tunnel Falls is closed indefinitely as a result of the Eagle Creek Fire. If youre not comfortable driving there, its better to turn around. They were working on the car park facilities during our visit, so chances are this road will become sealed eventually. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Any recommendation of whether to do the tugela gorge trail instead of the sentinel peak trail? Help us spread the word by sharing this post or pinning the following image. with a gradual incline, shade with rock walls and the river to view. The monumental cliff face of the Mont-Aux-Sources plateau is called the Amphitheatre, because of the way it looks from the valley. Some good views of Mt. Park at the lot adjacent to the fish hatchery, and follow the paved path along the highway for a half mile to reach the Ruckle Creek Trailhead. There are 19.16 miles from Portland to Eagle Creek in southeast direction and 24 miles (38.62 kilometers) by car, following the OR 224 route. Please explore responsibly! Tunnel Falls Hike - Oregon Forum. Explore Eagle Creek and Tunnel falls in Oregon - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The bridge has not been replaced & there are no signs of it being replaced in the near future. Anyway, we headed back towards the Sentinel Car Park and 20 minutes later we were back at the bottom of the gully we climbed earlier. Share sensitive information only Eventually, after descending steps hacked into the rock, pass along a narrow chasm and find yourself at a dangerous overlook where the fencing is damaged. This would make Tugela Falls the tallest waterfall in the world, passing the 979 m (~ 3,211 ft) Angel Falls in Venezuela. Elevation gain: 565 feet. A winter storm has shut down the Eagle Creek Trail again, only two weeks after it reopened to the public. Honestly, I wouldnt have felt safe doing the hike alone. Its not as busy as the summer months, but its before rainy season, so unfortunately a waterfall is not guaranteed. Instead, walk back towards the freeway and take a left onto the Columbia River Highway Trail. There are no streetlights, and you dont want to be driving that rocky road with steep drops in pitch black. This is Ruckel Creek Falls, not to be confused with Mossy Grotto, its neighbor up the stream. Mossy Grotto Falls: 45.6361536,-121.8870842. The trail takes you through a dense forest, across several bridges, and up steep switchbacks before reaching Tunnel Falls. It's been years since I've done that trail, but I remember it taking the better part of a day, which would be partly attributable to our taking the spur trail to Punchbowl Falls. The Sentinel Peak Hike is definitely one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes we did so far, together with the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand. Prices are mid-range, but you can check the exact rates and availability at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge or Resort here. We chose left, so arent sure where right would get you. We watched the water from the Tugela River dropping down in the Tugela Gorge below and tried different angles to get a good shot of the waterfall. We spent about 20 minutes at the Tugela Falls, enjoying the views. Its possible your accommodation offers transfers to and from the Sentinel Car Park, the start of the hike, as well. Although people enjoy taking the stairs down to the creek bed, please be aware this route is NOT an official trail and therefore we do not actively maintain it. From the fish hatchery, walk the paved Historic Old Columbia River Highway (just open to cyclists and hikers) for .5 miles to the Ruckel Creek trailhead, next to the actual creek. Anyway, start the Sentinel Peak Hike by following the path leading away from the Sentinel Car Park. I tagged along. Very sandy, loose, rocky trail. Cross the open area under the power lines, continue through the forest until you emerge at the open area of the Indian Pits - a beautiful area in and of itself. Little Necktie Falls, about 30 tall, cascades upstream; a head on look would require standing in the creek. Get to know this 11.4-km loop trail near Rhododendron, Oregon. What is your normal hiking speed? The wild flowers are blooming and the birds were singing to me the entire hike, nature was cheering me on and I loved it! I came across the falls in 1986 while walking up Ruckel Creek. Pass several other waterfalls while you hike through lush forests a trail built into the cliffside. You dont want to be taking unnecessary risks by staying exposed on the open plateau at that height. My GPS says 7.6 miles which took me 2.5 hours at a brisk pace. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Another hour and 15 minutes later, we were back at the car park. Travel west on the Historic Highway about 1.5 miles to the parking area, which is a small pullout on the south side of the highway. Wonderful hike. Just dont look down too much. Tunnel Falls via Eagle Creek Trail #440 - Oregon11.9-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. So be really slow as you navigate over them! Currently there is no timeline for reopening. The waterfall is spectacular and a great reward! Browse all 27,280 Oregon topics Tunnel Falls Hike Watch this Topic . Water cross isnt bad. Hike type: Out and back. The water crossing is at around 1.3-1.5 miles in. Or around? Otherwise, a nicely maintained and beautiful trail with views of Mount Hood and Ramona Falls. a winding creek where you can take a break and cool your feet, lots of mini bridges to cross! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 7 min to complete. And for those located in Silverton, Oregon, theres a stunning waterfall trail that offers a completely unique and incredible hiking experience. The weather conditions can change quickly, like every hour, at Drakensberg, so you cant really rely on forecasts. . After this short detour, continue on the Sentinel Peak hiking trail. Tunnel Falls Hike in Oregon Insider 8.02M subscribers Subscribe 377 21K views 5 years ago You can hike behind beautiful waterfalls in Oregon. Also be aware you will need a NWForest Park Pass for parking. Eagle Creek Trail is shut back down because of storm damage in Columbia Gorge. Vistas extend across the Columbia River to Cape Horn, the Prindle Cliffs, Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, and Beacon Rock. Any must-see attractions on the Oregon coast we should know. Photos (4,364) Directions. Summer, from December to February, is rainy season in KwaZulu-Natal. Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. A bench makes a good resting spot, but when the wind is blowing you can get doused with heavy spray! Gorgeous hike. Well update this page if and when it reopens. Didnt see any thunderstorms either. Please don't lean on the fence or trust any section of it. Then, follow the faint tread down the east bank of the creek where you'll soon be bounded by a basalt face on one side and a cable and cyclone fence on the creek side. While there are many well-known places around the state that people visit to take in the views, we're going to let you in on a few of our favorite hidden gems that are absolutely divine. And the river crossing was super easy they added more wood to make it easier! About 15 yards past the junction with the spur to the viewpoint, find a trace of a rough trail leading down to the right (Please don't attempt this with dogs and young children.). Hope this helps! That said, I am saddened to hear how the area has been damaged by heavy use. on official, secure websites. Hikers refer to this narrow stretch of trail as the "Vertigo Mile" due to the dizzying 200 foot drop-off. Please recognize your skill level andrealizethere are frequent injuries here. The trailhead is located on the Oregon side of the Columbia River just west of Casca. Hearing the heavy damage reports I will not be making the trip. The trail to reach Tunnel Falls is 12 miles roundtrip on an out and back trail. Parts of the soil had been washed away, leaving big rocks sticking out of the road. Not much further another person starting whistling and yelling from a distance to get our attention. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. From there, indeed a faint but reasonably obvious "path" leads down through the mossy rocks to the edge of a ridge and from there it is a near-vertical scramble over slippery, slick mud, over roots, through very slippery loose rocks and still a lot of down toward the creek. Will the trail be wet and slippery? This trailhead also provides access to a journey along Gorge Trail #400, which runs parallel to much of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Carefully driving our rental on the bad road, Beautiful view along the road to the Car Park, Didnt see any other hikers during our trip, The gully can be slippery when its been raining, We experienced all sorts of weather conditions during our hike, Birthe looking excited at the start of the hike, The quick detour for this viewpoint is definitely worth it, Pick your poison Gully or Chain Ladders, This could have been a great shot of the Tugela Falls. And these were the only people we saw in those 6 hours, no other hikers. If youre into Geocaching, you can search for those couple of caches hidden along this hike. Take the short spur to the right to reach Lemmons Viewpoint, named after an Oregonian fire fighter who lost his life in a Nevada wildfire. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock For more information, please visit, Burnt Lake South Trail to East Zigzag Mountain Trail, PCT: Lolo Pass Trailhead to Cascade Locks (Bridge of the Gods), Cast Creek Trail to Burnt Lake Trail Loop, Horseshoe Ridge Trail to Zigzag Mountain Trail, Cast and Burnt Lake Loop via Cast Creek and Zigzag Mountain Trails, Zig Zag Mountain Trail to Burnt Lake and Cast Lake. Tunnel Falls is one of the premier destinations along Oregon's famous Eagle Creek Trail. People are equally amazed and scared about how dangerous yet beautiful cliffside hiking site is.