Punch Bowl Falls

This fall is located along the Eagle Creek trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area. Driving east along Interstate 84, exit at the Eagle Creek exit, one mile past the Bonneville Dam exit (immediately after a short tunnel). The parking area is only accessible to eastbound traffic (if you are driving west, exit and turn around at Exit 40 (Bonneville Dam), then to return to your westbound direction, do the same at Cascade Locks). Turn right at the first stop and proceed to the trailhead in about 1/2 mile. Park and begin up the very creatively constructed trail. In places, the cliffs have been blasted out so that the trail could bypass several deep canyons. At about 1.7 miles, the Lower Punch Bowl Trail branches off to the right (a short distance passed Sorenson Creek). Follow this moderately steep trail down for 1/5 mile to the rocky beach between Punch Bowl and Lower Punch Bowl Falls. To see the classic view of the falls, head to the far end of the rocky beach, and wade out into the creek, looking up the narrow gorge to the falls. For a view from the upper viewpoint, return to the main trail, and continue for about 1/10 mile to the fenced viewpoint high above the creek.Punch Bowl Falls is quite possibly the most photographed waterfall in the entire Pacific Northwest. Nary a year goes by without seeing Punch Bowl Falls featured on a calendar of some sort. It is also the most popular destination along the Eagle Creek trail, and for good reason. The falls occur where Eagle Creek cuts through a narrow channel flanked by cliffs, and shoots powerfully into a large bowl. The falls' name is a very descriptive one, as it's easy to see it's resemblance to an actual bowl you'd pour punch into. Because of this unique look, this waterfall was entirely responsible for the waterfall classification type of "punchbowl", though it's rather hard to find another waterfall that fits the characteristics so well. Above and to the left of the falls is a natural platform that is often used for diving into the pool below the falls (though I don't recommend it, and not entirely because you'll become a tourist attraction if you do), though better swimming areas can be found downstream.This is the waterfall responsible for the descriptive term "punchbowl" being associated with waterfalls. The falls were named due to its unique shape, resembling a ladle being dipped into a large bowl.