這次旅遊除了幾個國家公園之外,大部分都安排了一些在地人的旅遊景點。大概是吃慣了大餐,偶而也想嘗嘗街頭巷尾的國民美食。
Eagle Creek Trail當然也是在網路上找到的,一開始有興趣是因為Tunnel Falls,但不同的網站估計的Trail距離和所需時間差距過大,我只好抱持著能走到哪就到哪兒的態度來面對。
以下是網路上的介紹:
The Eagle Creek trail is well-known to Oregonians, and heavily visited throughout the year. However, few outside the state know about this wild canyon, though almost everyone has seen at least one of the many waterfalls in a scenic calendar or postcard. The string of waterfalls, deep, fern-lined gorges and towering cliffs are typical of the Columbia River Gorge, but nowhere else in the Gorge is there such a concentration of spectacular scenery.
The lower seven miles of trail are literally carved into cliffs, often hundreds of feet above the stream. The exposure is so great that cables are installed in the rock to give hikers some sense of safety. Dogs and children are discouraged on this trail, as a result. This lower section of the trail is the focus of these pages.
Also note that if you visit Eagle Creek, you must purchase a Northwest Forest Pass ($5 for one day or $30 per year) to park at the trailhead. Parking is plentiful, though late arrivals will spend the first half-mile walking to the trailhead!
Though the Eagle Creek trail is continually within earshot of running water, you should plan on carrying your own supply, or bringing equipment to purify stream water. The cliff sections are extremely exposed, so anyone subject to vertigo should proceed carefully, and turn back if the first set of cliffs are uncomfortable... they only get higher, and more exposed! Also, camping is strictly limited to designated campsites, which fill up early. This trail is subsequently best done as a day hike.
The elevation gain to the 7-mile mark is modest, with gradual climbs spread throughout the hike. However, the trail surface is often rocky and uneven, and anything less than a good pair of hiking shoes or boots is not adequate. Also keep in mind that the Columbia Gorge is home to poison oak, and it grows along some sections of the Eagle Creek trail. If you're susceptible to it, keep an eye out in sunny, open cliff-tops and open oak forests. Long pants are a good idea is you're particularly sensitive - and this applies to any trail in the Columbia Gorge.
而以下則是hiking的相關資訊:(我順便將照片和我們的經驗加入其中)
Difficulty:A moderate 4.2-mile hike to Punchbowl Falls (with 400 feet of elevation gain), or a difficult, 12-mile hike to Tunnel Falls (with 1,200 feet of elevation gain).
Hiking Tips:Although this is a great place to backpack, tenting along the first 7.5 miles is allowed only in four designated camp areas, where competition for weekend space is keen. Campfires are strongly discouraged. An additional caution to parents: trailside cliffs make this no place for unsupervised children.
下高速公路,轉個彎就到了一個停車場,有廁所還有個解說資訊的小亭子。以為這裡就是Trailhead,趕忙停車整裝出發,走了1.2 miles才發覺這段難走的柏油路是白走了,原來在路的尾端有個停車處,而且路邊也能停車。(因為我們一早出發,看到停車場有一輛車,就直接以為是Trailhead。走到真正的Trailhead時只有另一輛車,以為這人亂停車沒多理會,沒想到走玩回來才知道大家全都停在路的尾端和路邊,百來台車耶,人好多!)
The trail starts along the creek but soon climbs well above it along a slope of cedars and mossy maples. Look for yellow monkeyflowers and curving fronds of maidenhair fern overhanging the path. After 0.8 mile the trail traverses a cliff with cables as handrails. At the 1.5-mile mark several short side trails to the right lead down to a viewpoint of 100-foot Metlako Falls in the distance.
一開始溪水離我們很近。
之後漸漸往上爬,溪水就到峽谷底了。(在峽谷中光線不好,但相機沒有自動閃光燈,所以有些照片模糊了。之所以沒有捨棄不用,是因為照片不多,至少讓網友之道路況如何也算有點用了!)
沿路沒甚麼標誌,但偶而會看到一些人走出來的岔路,似乎是往山谷下走。
到目前為止,路都不算窄(我們走過很窄很驚險的)。有些較窄一點的懸崖邊會有鐵索鏈,如果真的擔心,扶著走就可以了!
此時我們錯過了Metlako Falls,或許是一直牢牢遵守著走正規的Trail,那些雖然是人走出來的小路讓我們不敢去亂走,怕會迷路。
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