Washington hiker dies after fall near Punch Bowl Falls in Columbia River Gorge

A 19-year-old Washington man died after falling from a cliff near one of the Columbia River Gorge’s most popular waterfalls.

The man fell an estimated 50 to 80 feet near Punch Bowl Falls along Eagle Creek on Saturday, Aug. 1, according to the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office. The fall was reported around 7:30 a.m.

Investigators said a friend of the man told authorities that he had left the trail and was attempting to climb down a rock face toward the base of the waterfall when he fell onto rocks below.

Sheriff’s deputies and search and rescue crews responded and confirmed the man had died. His name has not been released.

More than 20 volunteers took part in the recovery, which required a technical rope system and took several hours.

The sheriff’s office determined the death was an accident.

Where is Punch Bowl Falls?

Punch Bowl Falls is a popular Columbia River Gorge destination located along Eagle Creek Trail #440 near Cascade Locks, roughly 40 miles east of Portland.

The Eagle Creek Trail follows the creek through dense forest and along sections carved into steep basalt cliffs.

While the route to Punch Bowl Falls is not considered particularly strenuous, parts of the trail have sheer, unguarded drop-offs and can be challenging for people uncomfortable with heights.

The U.S. Forest Service specifically cautions that portions of Eagle Creek Trail have sheer cliffs without guardrails.

Punch Bowl Falls is about two miles from the Eagle Creek trailhead. The waterfall drops about 100 feet into a blue-green pool surrounded by basalt rock, creating the bowl-like setting that makes it one of the Gorge’s recognizable waterfall destinations.

Reaching areas closer to the water can be considerably more challenging than simply hiking the main trail. Depending on where visitors go, exploring around the creek can involve navigating rocks, logs, rushing water and uneven terrain.

Saturday’s accident happened after the hiker left the established trail, according to investigators.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office described the death as a tragic accident. The man’s family has been notified.