[TrailPair]

It was a wonderful weekend to be up high in the mountains, but with 4 days off work we wanted to explore an area we had never been before. The Columbia River Gorge was selected, and with advise from Silly_Traveler we decided on Eagle Creek and Dog Mt. We stared up the Eagle Creek trail at 12:30 PM, and it was HOT! There was hardly any breeze at all in the canyon, and fortunately most of it was shaded. We took a side trip to the lower Punchbowl and other viewpoints along the way. Much of the trail was blasted out of the sheer face of basalt cliffs high above the stream. There are cable hand rails in the more exposed areas, although the trail is wide and gains only 1200ft. in 6 miles to reach Tunnel Falls. The trail continues on to connect with other trails, but we made camp about .5 miles beyond Tunnel Falls. It is very rare for us to camp in a woodsy setting, and we wouldn't want to do it often! The two campsites before Tunnel Falls (Blue Grouse and Wy'east) were better choices. Anyway, Tunnel Falls is the highlight of this trail. You can feel the rumble before seeing the falls, especially when walking behind it in the tunnel.

Scenery along Eagle Creek

Above Devil's Punch bowl, Eagel Creek

Bob emerging from the tunnel.

Bob entering the tunnel.

Mist from Tunnel Falls.

Bob and Luis on Eagle Creek trail

Woodsy campsite

Campsite 0.5 miles beyond Tunnel Falls.

Bob nearing Tunnel Falls in the mist.

Eagle Creek trail

K and Luis, Tunnel Falls

K and Tunnel Falls

Cliffs on Eagle Creek trail

Tunnel Falls-Eagle Creek

Friday morning we hiked out, and drove back to Multomah Falls. This is a very touristy spot, with school buses, restaurant, snack bar, information center, and lots of people. We hiked the one mile up the paved trail to the viewpoint above the falls. We then drove to the Tanner Creek Trail #431 to see Wahclella Falls. This is a pleasant 2 mile loop. Although not as tall as Multnomah, it is still a spectacular falls in its own right, with the deep green of the grotto.

Multnomah Fall- tourist destination

Multnomah Falls

Un-named falls on Tanner Creek. It reminded us of Otter Falls without Lipsy Lake

Bob and Wahclella Falls.

Wahclella Falls- Tanner Creek

We had planned to sleep in on Saturday (Best Western in Cascade Locks), but Luis and Lupe had other ideas. They were up at 5:15 AM, and in hind sight it was a good thing. We started up the Dog Mt. trail at 8:00AM, and already the parking lot was filling, and it was warm. After hiking a little over an hour we broke out of the trees to a beautiful flower display! Balsamroot covered the slopes! When we reached the summit there were already several hikers lounging in the sun.

Bob and Luis, Dog Mt. trail

K and Lupe, Dog Mt. trail

K below Dog Mt. summit

Dog Mountain

Bob and Lupe, Dog Mt. summit

Hikers on lower switchbacks, Dog mt.

There are a couple of loop options on the hike, and we went up the shorter, steeper trails and down the longer, more gentle trails. The round trip is less than 7 miles. After a snack on the summit, we passed several hundred hikers on their way up. We have NEVER seen such a busy trail. It made Mt. Si on a Sunday morning look like Grant's Tomb. Seriously, there must have been 1,000 people on Dog Mt. that day! This is the best time of the year to do this hike due the abundance of wild flowers, but be sure to go really early or during the week to avoid the crowds.

[Sadie's Driver]

WOW What a gorgeous carpet of flowers on Dog Mountain! Lovely - how appropriate that Luis and Lupe could enjoy the view! s.d.

[TrailPair]

Yeah, those flowers were spectacular!

[the Zachster]

Flowers, waterfalls...all just beautiful! Thank you!

[silly_traveler]

NICE flowers!! I got to meet Lupe soon, she's sooooo dang cute

[Tazz]

Whoo hoo! Dog mountain balsam root pics! thanks you two!

[puzzlr]

The fields of flowers are unbelievable. Makes me want to take tomorrow off and get down there.

[GeoTom]

I have only been up Dog Mountain in November when the flower show is long gone. Looks like spring is the time to go.