Tenas Camp
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Eagle-Benson Loop Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Tanner-Eagle Traverse Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Latitude: 45.60341
- Longitude: -121.88067
- Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
- Elevation: 670 feet
- Height: 70'
Contents |
Description
Tenas Camp is the first campsite you come across on your way along the Eagle Creek Trail. Prior to this point, camping is prohibited. The site has room to contain 3-4 tents and, although it contains a fire ring, campfires are not allowed. This is a nice site due to it's proximity to High Bridge and Skoonichuk Falls, but there is no easy water access. On summer weekends you can count on this site being full, but there are several more on this section of trail between High Bridge and 4 1/2 Mile Bridge. Watch closely as a few are off an easy-to-miss spur. As you get closer to 4 1/2 Mile bridge the sites get closer to the water.
There are several nearby notable points, but the most noteworthy is Skoonichuk Falls. The view from the main trail, however, is pretty meager. There are two difficult ways to get a better look at it. Just after passing Tenas Camp while heading due south on the Eagle Creek Trail watch for a small spur trail to your left. It drops elevation quickly and drops you near the top of the falls. The view is not the best, but it provides the best access to water from Tenas Camp. One must take extra caution when trying to pump and filter water from strong rushing currents here.
The second way to see the falls by backtracking toward the trailhead a bit. There is a trace of path heading off into what seems like nowhere. Follow the path while you can, and be careful! This is a partial bushwack. This will get you down to the creek near the base of the falls, given you a head-on view that few ever get to see.
The forest service discourages people from going off-trail in Eagle Creek and other places in the gorge. If you feel compelled to try one of the options listed here, take extra care to minimize your impact.
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Guidebooks that cover this destination
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Portland, by Paul Gerald
- Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
- 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan
More Links
- Jonathan Ley Photography
- Skoonichuk Falls on WaterfallsNorthwest.com
- Skoonichuk Falls on Splintercat.org
Contributors
- jeffstatt (creator)