Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

As hikers wait with bated breath for the Eagle Creek Trail to reopen in the Columbia Gorge, it's worth noting that there is another Eagle Creek Trail to explore.



Located just 25 miles southwest of the famed, waterfall-lined trail in the gorge, the other Eagle Creek Trail is part of the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness in the Mount Hood National Forest (wilderness restrictions apply), following a different Eagle Creek as it flows through a lush forest.



There's little use comparing the two. You won't find towering waterfalls or steep canyon walls on this Eagle Creek Trail, but it's a perfectly good place to spend a day of hiking.



READ MORE: Two years after fire, Eagle Creek Trail taking final steps to reopen

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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The trailhead is found at the end of a bumpy forest road, about 12 miles east of Estacada. The Eagle Creek Trail runs for 6.4 miles, coming to an end at a ford of Eagle Creek. Unless you plan on crossing the river – which gives access to several other trails in the wilderness – the Eagle Creek Trail is an opportunity for a simple out-and-back hike through the woods.



From the trailhead (see directions below), the trail drops slowly in elevation, offering a fleeting view of foothills to the south before descending into a lush forest of cedar, hemlock and old-growth Douglas fir. In the rainy season, small streams regularly cross and even take over the trail on their way to Eagle Creek – decent boots are highly recommended.



The forest here is a quiet slice of wilderness with several charming features: tiny trickling waterfalls, old wooden footbridges, bouncy ferns and huge fallen logs. The sound of Eagle Creek rushing past soon reaches the trail, adding to the peaceful scene.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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As an out-and-back hike with no particular endpoint, you're free to turn around whenever you want. Just after the three-mile mark, a couple of backcountry campsites appear, offering a good place to rest – or spend the night if you're prepared to do so. One site just off the trail comes after about 3.2 miles, with another site beside the river about 3.5 miles in.



Those campsites mark a good point to turn back, making about a seven-mile day. But longer-distance hikers should certainly keep going, diving deeper into the lush forest.



It's no substitute for the Eagle Creek Trail in the gorge – then again, what is? – but Oregon's other Eagle Creek is a great place to escape into a small pocket of charming Northwest wilderness.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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EAGLE CREEK TRAIL (SALMON-HUCKLEBERRY WILDERNESS)

Distance: Varies, up to 12.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Amenities: None



To reach the trailhead from Portland, take Oregon Route 224 east from Interstate 205 or Oregon Route 99E. Continue on Route 224 after it splits with Oregon Route 212, about 11 miles to the small community of Eagle Creek. Turn left onto S.E. Wildcat Mountain Drive and follow it for 1.9 miles, veering right onto Eagle Fern Road. The road will pass Eagle Fern Park where it turns into S.E. George Road. After six miles, turn right onto S.E. Harvey Road.



If you're following Google Maps or a GPS device, it may show Harvey Road turning into the Eagle Creek Trail. In reality, it turns into a heavily potholed forest road. Ignore all gated roads and a turnoff to the right that turns to rocks. At the main fork, go right (following the trail on Google Maps), and after about a half mile it will dead-end at the trailhead.



There's room for about five cars to park, but there are no other amenities. The trailhead isn't signed, so make sure you take the righthand path that heads downhill.



Early on, the trail reaches an unsigned junction on the left, leading to the Douglas Trail. For this hike, ignore the junction and continue straight on the Eagle Creek Trail, which soon enters the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Hike to your heart's content and simply turn around when you're done.



SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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MORE WINTER HIKES

The 12 best rainy day hikes around Oregon

Oxbow Park is a perfect winter hike

Snowshoeing at Bennett Pass on Mount Hood



--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB