Eagle Creek Hike

safetyman

safetyman

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We scored a lucky weekend here in the Pacific Northwest as it was sunny without a cloud in site! Decided to take advantage of the weather and go for a quick hike on the Eagle Creek trail in the Columbia River Gorge. For some reason I got to the trailhead late a had to cut the hike short.

I forgot to take a pic of the sign on the way in so it was fairly late when this was taken...

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There were waterfalls all over the place...some sections of the trail were peppered with water.

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Punchbowl Falls (I think)

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Or maybe this was Punchbowl Falls...

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My try at an artistic picture...not even close.

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Another try...I don't know what I was thinking.

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And yet another...I know I know.

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I had hoped to get to a place where I could put my BK&T Companion to work making some figure 4 traps or something but my leaving late forced me to start heading back before I had a chance to...

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I was able to test out my new firesteel setup though...tried to ignite some lightly damp hanging moss. Don't know the technical name for that stuff (we call it "Pele's Hair" or "Spanish moss" back where I'm from in Hawaii) but it seems like it would be a great tinder source if it were dry...

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All in all an excellent day in the great Pacific Northwest!!! Hopefully next weekend will cooperate too!!!

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Nice pics - That trail on the cliffside looks like a lot of fun.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Great job with the photography ..... I especially liked those waterfall pics

Thanks
 
Very nice place to hike. And you have one of my favorite knives. Those Beckers are tough brutes.
 
Nice pictures. The first waterfall that you show is Punchbowl Falls.

Eagle Creek is a special place for me as I proposed to my wife on a hike there many years ago.
 
wow.. those are some awesome pics...:eek: that fall looks amazing... i love the pacific northwest...:thumbup:
 
Awesome pics man, word to the wise though

The fungus in question, works horrible for tinder:D
Its very hard to get all the way dry, and even in the middle of summer it allways seems to have some water in it, Though you cant feel it. We called it old mans beard back east, and I've tried and tried to get it to work, but it wont.
 
Safetyman,

Great pics! Eagle Creek IS gorgeous; we've done a fair number of SAR missions out there...

Next time you're headed to the Gorge, drop me a line - graphics"at"gorge.net,
I'm near Stevenson, WA, and we've been known to have knife-centric gatherings from time-to-time.

Cheers,
8
 
Fonly, That old man's beard won't work huh? I guess I'll have to find another source...I'm not familiar with the local flora/fauna and I guess I just showed my novice but at least I know now haha :o. Maybe I'll have to learn how to make charred cloth or whatever it's called to add to my inadequate survival pack.

River-8, I'll let you know the next time I'm out; I want to get out any chance I can before it rains and this weekend (Sunday) looks like the weather will hold up so maybe I'll go then. I was thinking a nice simple hike up Dog Mountain...it will be my second hike (regretfully) here in the NW and I don't want to bite off more than I can chew ;) . And I definitely will take you up on your invitation to your knife centered gatherings...if you don't mind hanging out with a college kid that is :D .
 
safetyman said:
Punchbowl Falls (I think)

DSC03776.jpg


I was able to test out my new firesteel setup though...tried to ignite some lightly damp hanging moss. Don't know the technical name for that stuff (we call it "Pele's Hair" or "Spanish moss" back where I'm from in Hawaii) but it seems like it would be a great tinder source if it were dry...

DSC03786.jpg
Click to expand...

I've hiked this trail many times over the years. I've always heard the falls you first ID called The Punch Bowl or The Devil's Punch Bowl.

Old Mans beard or Spanish Moss can be used as a tinder but it has to be dried out. Gather a bunch ad take it home and dry it out. Not sure what would work best. I've heard a couple of things like microwaving but I think a food dehydrator would work better.

BTW Welcome to the Northwest.
 
Thanks James :D . I must add that I've been a student here in Portland for four years so I've been here for a while, just haven't been doing any hiking or what not which I definitely regret. I'm definitely looking forward to going on some good hikes in the future though! BTW, thanks for the old man's beard trick ;) .
 
Wow!!!! That's some nice country you've got there. I was in Seattle once for a couple of days but never got out of the city. One day I'll get out there again. Great pics, even the artsy ones!
 
Those are some great pics there bro, that 3rd one is awesome !!!!

Looks like another one to add to my places to visit list !!!!!!
 
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