Overview

• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River County (West Fork Eagle Creek)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~135–140 feet (41–43 m)

• Trail Distance: ~11 miles round-trip from Eagle Creek Trailhead — just beyond Tunnel Falls

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall; check current Eagle Creek trail status

History & Background

Twister Falls is the tallest waterfall on Eagle Creek itself, a 135–140-foot horsetail on the West Fork Eagle Creek that drops in a distinctive twisting, necktie-shaped cascade — hence the name. Visible from the trail just beyond Tunnel Falls at roughly the 5.5-mile mark, Twister Falls rewards those willing to push past the famous Tunnel Falls to see one final spectacular waterfall before the canyon opens into the upper Eagle Creek drainage. Some hikers refer to the stretch of trail approaching Twister Falls as the ‘Vertigo Mile’ for its dramatic clifftop exposure above the gorge. Like the rest of the Eagle Creek corridor, the area was significantly affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.

Geology

Twister Falls drops 135–140 feet over the Columbia River Basalt at approximately 1,100 feet elevation on the West Fork Eagle Creek, the tallest of the eight major waterfalls on Eagle Creek and its tributaries. The falls’ distinctive twisting shape results from the way two separate streams of water — from different channels on the cliff above — converge and intertwine as they fall, creating the ‘necktie’ or ‘twister’ form. The Columbia River Basalt cliff face here reflects the columnar jointing typical of this 6–17 million-year-old volcanic formation throughout the gorge.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Cascade Locks, OR (~3 miles west); Portland, OR (~40 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • From Eagle Creek Trailhead (I-84 Exit 41), hike approximately 5.5 miles on the Eagle Creek Trail past Punch Bowl Falls, High Bridge, Loowit Falls, Skoonichuk Falls, and through Tunnel Falls to reach Twister Falls on the West Fork

  • Check current Eagle Creek Trail status — sections have been subject to closures and reopening since the 2017 fire; the stretch beyond Tunnel Falls includes the ‘Vertigo Mile’ with significant cliff exposure; Northwest Forest Pass required

• Parking:

  • Eagle Creek Trailhead parking lot; Northwest Forest Pass required; arrives very early for summer weekend hikes of this length

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; 5.5-mile approach on a trail with exposed cliff sections and cable handrails

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Full flows; the tallest Eagle Creek waterfall at its most powerful; the full canyon showcase

• Summer: Lower flows; popular trail; fire recovery adds interesting hiking context

• Fall: Excellent conditions; fewer crowds; fire recovery foliage vivid

• Winter: Trail accessible but check conditions

Nearby Attractions

• Tunnel Falls (160 ft, just before Twister Falls)

• Sevenmile Falls (~0.25 miles past Twister)

• Punch Bowl Falls (~2 miles from trailhead)

• Cascade Locks

• Eagle Creek corridor

References

• Links:

  • Friends of the Columbia Gorge – Eagle Creek Trail

  • Columbia River Gorge NSA – USFS

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest