I was planning on taking next week to do the columbia river gorge loop trail starting at eagle creek campground but by the sounds of it the western half near wahtum lake is pretty rough. I already have the days off to hike the trail and at the very least I'm going to just mob around on the eastern half of it but does anyone know the conditions of the trail and have any suggestions. Should I plan on the west side or not?

Welcome to the site!!

To be honest, I think that I'm a little lost as to your exact itenerary. Everything over about 2500 feet is still somewhat buried in the snow. Which trails are you contemplating?

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

You can get all the way up the Eagle Creek trail to 7 1/2 mile camp, but the trail up to Wahtum Lake has a lot of snow, and the PCT down from Wahtum Lake has a lot of snow (if that's the loop you meant) according to recent reports.

The snow is melting fast and by next week it will be better.  See if someone else has a current report.  I'de go up Eagle Creek and see how far I got (and report back the conditions).

   Well, most of the Gorge is open at the moment, and the streams are incredible!  Last night I drove up to Eagle Creek after I got off of work, and it is raging!  If only I had not had to work today!  There was a young couple heading up the trail with large packs, even though it was 8:45pm! and I was really jealous.  I played with the idea of doing another Ruckel Ridge night hike, given the incredible moonlight and warm air, but realized I didn't have my waterbottle and had left my camera's memory card at home!  Blast!

   But, anyway, most of the Gorge is open and snow-free - like it has been stated, there is still a lot of snow up higher, but most of it is blooming and green!  So my advice would be, get up there and enjoy it!  Eagle creek especially is extraordinary right now - the flowers are great, the falls large, and the weather beautiful!

   Welcome to the site!

-Zach