Explore the most popular forest trails near Cascade Locks with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
One tough trail, but so awesome!
Was a nice hike on the PCT and easy to go further on the trail if you choose. The waterfall was nice and not too many people. Good to stop and eat lunch.
Having on two previous occasions hiked Mount Defiance and Dog Mountain each on the same day, I finally decided to attempt a triple ... Defiance once and Dog twice.
August 31, 2018
7:20 a.m. start up Mount Defiance (Trail 413 out and back)
10:19 a.m. summit 1
12:57 p.m. down
1:44 p.m. start up Dog Mountain (1st loop, Augspurger Trail to Dog Mt Trail)
3:24 p.m. summit 2
4:31 p.m. down
4:48 p.m. start up Dog Mountain (2nd loop, Augspurger Trail to Dog Mt Trail)
6:43 p.m. summit 3
7:53 p.m. down and done
25.4 miles, 10,440 elevation gain/loss, 11 hours, 6 minutes total hike time
23rd time up Mount Defiance, 95th & 96th time up Dog Mountain
A nice, fairly undemanding hike but not a lot of visual bang.
Meh. The trail is short and bumpy with a waterfall that is decent, but not great relative to the surrounding area.
still cannot access the trail due to eagle creek fire.
Loved it! Low traffic and it's easy to extend the length further on the PCT should you choose. My Westie did an awesome job and loves being able to soak his feet in the creek!
Fairly easy hike that is mostly shaded which makes it pleasant. The waterfall is beautiful and not too many hikers around 4:00. It’s peaceful and serene.
Total disappointment. While people have posted some beautiful pics of the gorge, if you follow the loop trail indicated by alltrails, you will see nothing remotely worthwhile. I am moving out if state next week and choose this hike as my last one based on all the great reviews. What a waste. Wish I had known what trail to take or continue on to actually reach a scenic view.
First, I would not rate this as moderate. It is most definitely easy. It’s just about 2 miles in. It’s a steady incline so you don’t really feel it. The devastation from
the Eagle Creek fire is heartbreaking, but at least there is some green coming back by way of ground cover. There are some loose rocky spots but nothing difficult. The fall is beautiful just Ike all the PNW falls.
I've hiked to Punchbowl Falls several times and it's a great hike. The trail is currently closed due to a fire a year ago. When it opens, I want to continue up to Tunnel Falls which I think turns it into about 11 or 12 miles. Heavy traffic on the weekends.
Would be 5 stars but rocks on majority of hike so be careful for your ankles! Beautiful quick and fun hike. Good for kids. Lots of visible damage still but still worth it.
Peggy S. on Dry Creek Falls via PCT
PCT up to Dry Creek Falls was pretty easy but there was lots of devastating fire damage from the Eagle Creek Fire. Sad to see the tree corpses, but many hardy trees survived and I’m glad the trail has reopened. Dry Creek Falls a great surpise. Clear, cold and beautiful!! Walked back via Dry Creek Road, but would not do it. again. Gravel road almost all the way.
Love the view on this one.
Trail Is Still Closed At This Time. The Historic Columbia River Highway is Closed Until Further Notice. This Includes Trails Between Bridal Veil Falls and Multnomah, and Trails Between Multnomah and Ainsworth State Park. The Road Is Only Open To State Troopers, Game and WildLife Patrolmen, and Residents That Live On That Road. Anyone Caught Trying To Hike Said Trails Are Fined. This Is All Due To The Bad Fire They Had Last Year And Several Told Me They Aren't Sure When It Should Be Open. One Trooper Told Me It's Looking Like It Will Be June 2019. :( That Means Oneonta George, Oneonta Falls, Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls, Larch Mountain Overlook, Fairy Falls, & Wahkeena Falls Are All Closed Until Further Notice. If You Are Looking For Alternatives, You Can Look Into Multnomah Falls & Trails, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Vista House. You Can Also Take A Drive To Ramona Falls.
Beautiful hike staring at bridge of the gods. And joins with the PCT for a portion which is cool. But with the fire road and trail plus PCT trail all merging, some more signage would be useful. A portion of it is heavy gravel (road) but rest is soft dirt trail.
rRNAe
It was an INTENSE!! hike at 6:20am to 5:30pm. It was AMAZINGLY!! beautiful feeling when u get to the top
Hiked in 2016 before the fires. My favorite hike to date. Memories I'll cherish for a lifetime.
Piles of charred wood. Very sad.
Steep in some sections that gave a nice challenge. Beautiful along the way.
Hike to Tunnel Falls with my boyfriend in 2015 will always be a special memory to me. Beautiful hike.
One of my favourites. Continued on up to Tunnel Falls with my boyfriend back in 2015. Good memories on this hike. Sad to see it is closed?
A tough climb but worth it! An excellent challenge for body, mind, and spirit. I suggest taking as many breaks as you feel you need; your legs will thank you on the descent. Bring plenty of water, and more than you think you'll need on hot days. It took me about 4 hours to reach the summit, and 3.5 hours to hike back down. I did soak in the views of the gorge and mountains in Washington along the way, and spent about an hour on the summit gazing at Mt. Hood.
Really pretty hike with a gorgeous view of the falls at the end. The trail was a bit rocky, but otherwise not too bad, just have to be aware of your footing at times.
Herman Creek trail is indeed open. Hike it as an out and back only at this time. Do not attempt to make a loop of it using Casey Creek, Nick Eaton or Gorton Creek trails to complete the loop. Those 3 trails are heavily fire damaged at the top in the Green Point Ridge area. Trails are impossible to follow without GPS if at all. You can get up to Green Point Mtn. via Herman Creek and Herman Creek Cutoff trails, but I'm warning you, turn around after the splendid view at the Green Point Mtn. summit and come back the way you came in. Speaking from distressing personal experience.
Not sure why this trail is called Indians point loop. Trailhead is at Herman Creek campground. Follow herman creek trail 406. When you come to the loop, id suggest veering left onto the gorton creek trail #408. Even though it is the longer part of the loop, its is better shaded and not as steep as the Nick Eaton Trail #447, which you would take on the way down. I took the Nick Eaton trail on the way up and it was not as well covered and more steep. If you decided to take the Nick Eaton trail first, the fist three miles are pretty much inclined switch backs with little tree coverage from the fire :(. Once you get to three miles, the hike becomes much easier. Definitely suggest bringing hiking poles with you
I’d probably rate this as an easy trail. The falls are great and we only met a handful of others on the trail. It was pretty sad seeing all the damage from the wildfire throughout the hike.