The creeks were running nicely but weren't too difficult to cross. Whiskey Creek in the morning with its many large logs at the crossing point:
Quintessential little gorge stream-let on the way up to Cedar Swamp:
The Skunk Cabbage in this section is getting big fast:
Looking left to right from my pack, this trio of trees(cedar, doug-fir, hemlock) is always a good sign that you're closing in on the swamp. Some recent blowdown has fallen close-by:
We took a short break at Cedar Swamp to admire the big trees and have some snacks. The stretch from the swamp to the crossing of the east fork is one of the best in the gorge. Lots of big trees and an incredible forest setting up there. Some of the biggens didn't make it through this years storms:
The trail up to the Mud Lake junction around 3,760 is snow free with lingering patches for the next 1/4 mile or so. The talus slope south of the lake junction is half covered in snow and once back into the trees things looked like this up to about 3,900 - 4,000 feet:
Above 4,000 feet there was solid coverage in most places:
To avoid some very steep sidehilling on the final few hundred meters up to the ridge where the Tomlike turn off is, we shot straight up the hillside and intersected the anthill trail:
Being me, I forgot to charge the batteries for the gps. We had map/compass as always but the old mental map was sufficient. Actually nav was pretty straightforward as we just headed southwest on Herman Creek for a little while longer and hopped on over to the Rainy-Wahtum Trail. The last mile or so of the Herman Creek trail over to Chinidere Mountain looked a lot like this in terms of snow depth:
We followed Rainy-Wahtum around the east side of the lake with a few nice views down to the water:
The old road bed had many snow free stretches below 4,000 feet. A few patches at the lake and the parking area but no concessionaire:
Wahtum Express down to the lake shore and the PCT:
Wahtum Lake is the deepest lake in the Mt Hood National Forest and was apparently called, "Wahtum" by the Indians:
The sun came out as we enjoyed a nice long lunch in one of the empty camp spots:
Now it was time to go see some waterfalls:
Lots of friendly backpackers acquired conditions about the lake and the trail higher up. Basically, the entire Eagle Creek Trail up to Wahtum is melted out despite a short 1/4 mile stretch just before the lake. Jojo spotting Chinidere Mountain in the distance as we descended down to Eagle Creek:
A few stream crossings and another short break at one of our favorite camp spots on EC:
Fairy Slippers were in bloom, interesting to see the white ones up close:
Quite a few downed logs on the stretch near Eagle-Tanner:
Some chose other tactics. Jojo thinking, "haven't we taken enough pictures already
This little stream is always really pretty this time of year:
Eagle Creek above the falls:
Looking down stream over the rugged gorge as Jojo hikes along the high cliffs near Twister Falls:
Peeking down into the falls:
A couple and their dog were wandering back and forth along the cliffs taking pictures etc. This poor little guy was pretty tuckered out but the owners didn't seem to mind him running back and forth off leash while peeking over the edge
I hate to be the dog rant guy but it seems some just don't respect the safety of their dog or others out there. On a happier note, there were lots friendly hikers at Tunnel Falls who really got a kick out of the PH buttons, thx B2B!
The afternoon rain became a little steadier as we passed Loowit Falls:
More Sea Blush on the way out:
There is always time to derp out in front of the old petrified stump near the TH:
Enjoying the awesome tunnel under the freeway that was put in 1998 and the last pic of the day:
The bad weather had started in pretty good by now so Jojo and I hiked over to the old Pacific Crest Pub in Cascade Locks. I think its called the Cascade Ale House now but it served as a nice dry spot for Jo to get some hot food and store the packs. I grabbed my keys and ran the last 3.2 miles over to the Herman Creek TH reaching the car just before dark. The rain just hit harder and harder as I ran back but it was an incredible feeling and a great way to end another awesome adventure in the Columbia River Gorge.
Anyways, I was so freaked by the cliffs I'm not sure I even noticed any of the falls. 
