9/24/2023 0 Comments Angels rest sunset![]() ![]() On one side, the trail weaves its gentle way past panoramic views of the mouth of the Klickitat River below. ![]() The start of the show - the Rowena Plateau - immerses you in almost dreamlike beauty, especially in the spring months.Įvery April and May, like clockwork, a staggering profusion of vibrant wildflowers flare up in this grassy meadows of this popular hiking trail in the Columbia Gorge. This easy 2-mile Columbia Gorge hiking loop is perched above a clifftop plateau, offering striking views of the sculptural masterpiece that is the Columbia River Gorge. Better safe than sorry, check this resource before heading out. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire impacted this trail and it was closed for 3+ years before re-opening in 2021. Local’s Tip: Check trail conditions before hiking to Punch Bowl Falls. Locals swarm to this beloved watering hole in the hot summer months, but take warning – cliff diving is prohibited (and subject to a $300 fine). If curious, Punch Bowl Falls gets its name from the shape of the massive pool formation the falls plunge into. Indeed, every inch of the trail treats hikers to the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, which is why this is consider one of the best hikes in the Columbia Gorge. The trail follows towering basalt walls, mammoth conifers, vine-tangled maples and a plethora of cascading waterfalls. This easy Columbia Gorge hike lives up to to the hype, even with the charred tattoo of the teenager-caused Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. The route treks upstream into the mystical high woods.īut the easier (and equally rewarding) 4.2-mile round-trip hike to Punch Bowl Falls, is a much easier affair. The full Eagle Creek Trail is a popular Columbia Gorge hiking trail for those that love a challenge (I was sore for days after). Located about 2-miles into the epic Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Punch Bowl Falls is an aptly-named iconic Oregon waterfall well worth exploration. Parking Pass Required?: Yes ( NW Forest Pass).Enveloped among Douglas-firs, red cedars, fern-furred maples, and other key plays of the verdant Pacific northwest rain forest, it’s a breath of fresh air (literally). You’ll also enjoy some full-on “forest bathing” on this easy Columbia Gorge hike. And yes, it’s visible from a parking lot, but where’s the fun in that?Īn easy 2.4-mile trail leads visitors directly to the first viewpoint before opening up to a dirt path that heads uphill, giving you a better vantage of Upper Latourell Falls as well.īig rewards for little effort, is it any wonder this is considered one of the best easy hikes in the Columbia Gorge? This beautiful waterfall plunges an impressive 220 feet. Thank goodness, because this thing serves as the perfect introduction to the beloved careening waterfalls of the breathtaking Gorge. Latourell Falls is the closest Columbia Gorge waterfall to Portland, which makes it one of the most popular hikes in the Gorge. Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash.You May Also Enjoy Reading: All 12 Gorge Breweries (Ranked) & 18 Relaxing Hood River Wineries Worth Enjoying Without further ado, allow me to share my personal list of the best hikes in the Columbia Gorge for all skill levels. All this to say, I know the area like the back of my hand and can easily rattle off a list of the best Columbia Gorge hiking trails because I’ve hiked most of firsthand. The Gorge has a very special place in my heart, which is why I spend most of my summer weekends there now. I spent most of my high school and college years exploring the area on the weekends. Looking for the best hikes in the Columbia Gorge? You’re in luck. ![]()
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