Eagle Creek Trail #501 heads into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness from Clackamas County’s Eagle Creek Trailhead on SE Harvey Road, reached on back roads from Sandy by way of SE Firwood Road and SE George Road. From the parking area, the trail starts out downhill.
Once it reaches Eagle Creek, the walking is mostly level, in old-growth forest of western red cedar, western hemlock and Douglas fir. Expect a handful of small stream crossings and several campsites along the way. After 6.4 miles the trail ends at a ford of Eagle Creek, which leads across to Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 5-8%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504, Douglas Trail #781
More about the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Outdoor Science and Learning
- Viewing
Getting there
From Portland, OR
- Follow US Hwy 26 for 2.7 miles east of Sandy and take the right fork at SE Firwood Road (Shorty’s Corner).
- After 0.8 miles, take the third right to stay on SE Firwood Road.
- Travel another 2.6 miles on SE Firwood and turn right at SE Wildcat Mountain Drive.
- Travel 4.2 miles on SE Wildcat Mountain Drive and turn left at SE Howlett Road.
- Travel 0.2 miles on SE Howlett Road and continue onto SE Eagle Fern Road.
- Travel 2.8 miles on SE Eagle Fern Road and continue onto SE George Road.
- Travel 2.6 miles and turn left to stay on SE George Road Road.
- Travel 3.4 miles and turn right at SE Harvey Road.
- Travel 1.8 miles to the parking area where the trail begins.
- The trail heads downhill from here.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply.
Trails nearby
Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504
4.2 mi
2,317 ft
Hard
Douglas Trail #781
14.2 mi
3,659 ft
Very hard
Plaza Trail #783
22.2 mi
7,646 ft
Very hard
Old Baldy Trail #502
12.4 mi
4,384 ft
Very hard
Wildcat Mountain Trail #781F
0.2 mi
97 ft
Easy
Salmon Mountain Trail #787
3.2 mi
1,051 ft
Moderate
McIntyre Ridge Trail #782
7 mi
1,660 ft
Hard
Fanton Trail #505
8.6 mi
1,818 ft
Hard
Bonanza Trail #786
9.4 mi
3,662 ft
Very hard
Plaza Lake Trail #788
1.2 mi
592 ft
Easy
