Eagle Creek Trail #501

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail east of the community of George, enters the far west end of the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Area unlike the "other" Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia Gorge than can be so crowded. Take SE George Road to Harvey Road and turn right. Harvey soon makes a hard left heading north and then northeast. The trailhead is along the right side of the road near a large pile of root wads before the end of the road. The first part of the trail is an old road bed, and it gradually narrows to a trail and you'll pass a wilderness sign for the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness.

This Eagle Creek Trail #501 follows alongside Eagle Creek passing through old-growth Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar forest. The first few miles skirt the creek higher on the hill but the creek can always be heard. There are several creek crossings along the trail that can be more challenging in winter and spring. There are also several campsites. The latter part of the trail on the east end is along Eagle Creek. The trail ends at a ford of Eagle Creek. Across the ford is the Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504.

Low elevation old-growth Douglas fir, huge western redcedar, western hemlock and big leaf, alder and vine maple make this a stunning hike. The understory is thick with sword ferns, maidenhair ferns, thimbleberry, salmon berry, oxalis, Oregon grape, and salal.