28.5 miles, 4000' gained, 1 night(s)
Eagle Creek is one of the most beautiful trails in Oregon, but everyone who hikes regularly has done it plenty, almost to the point of disgust when proposed. So, it was wonderful to get a new perspective on this hike this weekend by finally getting to the terminus of the trail at Wahtum Lake. What the ordinary Eagle Creek hiker doesn't see are the beautiful woods deeper in, the upper canyon, and the views across to to Chinidere Mountain that lends the trail an even greater diversity than the canyons near the trailhead. It was also wonderful to meet a PortlandHikers.org member, Arundodonax, and go on this hike with him.
Chris and I left the trailhead around 1:30PM and made it through the hordes of people to the junction past 7.5 mile camp. We stopped for a quick break to eat something before switching back up the hill. At the junction with trail 435, we took another quick break, laying down on the trail for a few minutes before the tough work of snowshoeing began. Roughly 4 miles later, we made it to Wahtum Lake, punched a hole through the snow over the lake for water, and set camp.
If the weather holds, this hike will be perfect in about a month.
Hopefully Chris will post his photos from the trip, too!
Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14424
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
You are always very adventerous! Thanks for the report
Where'de you camp?
Did you need snowshoes?
You and other reports have mentioned how busy it is near trailhead but after a few miles it's not very busy, even on a weekend, good info.
Where'de you camp?
Did you need snowshoes?
You and other reports have mentioned how busy it is near trailhead but after a few miles it's not very busy, even on a weekend, good info.
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
Adventures are part of the fun! Besides, I have to get into trail condition somehow before things actually start melting out.retired jerry wrote:You are always very adventerous! Thanks for the report
Where'de you camp?
Did you need snowshoes?
You and other reports have mentioned how busy it is near trailhead but after a few miles it's not very busy, even on a weekend, good info.
We camped on the shore of Wahtum Lake near the campground. Definitely needed snowshoes—the snow was about 3-4 feet deep where we camped, and we were the first folks up there since the newest snow.
- arundodonax
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: August 12th, 2010, 8:02 pm
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
Cool report! Eagle to Wahtum is definitely one of my hiking goals. Thanks for posting.
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
At which mile point / location is Eagle Creek covered by snow?
- arundodonax
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: August 12th, 2010, 8:02 pm
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
Eagle creek is free from snow. Snow levels start around 2500'.
- MarkInTheDark
- Posts: 220
- Joined: August 11th, 2008, 3:58 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
GREAT report and photos, thanks!
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
It doesn't seem to me that a 2500 foot snow level in early April is all that bad, nor is 3-4 feet at the lake particularly deep. That basin really collects snow. Everybody has been saying that our soggy March means a late hiking season. But mostly - at least in these parts - I think we just caught up for the dry Jan and Feb. It really depends on what happens the next month.
Re: Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake 4/8 - 4/9/11
The coming forecast doesn't look too shabby for melting some of this new accumulation!drm wrote:It doesn't seem to me that a 2500 foot snow level in early April is all that bad, nor is 3-4 feet at the lake particularly deep. That basin really collects snow. Everybody has been saying that our soggy March means a late hiking season. But mostly - at least in these parts - I think we just caught up for the dry Jan and Feb. It really depends on what happens the next month.