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This pretty fall is the first major tributary waterfall along the Eagle Creek trail that can clearly be seen. While both Wauna Falls and Sorenson Falls, which are passed in the first 1 1/2 miles are difficult to see, lacy Loowit Falls provides a pleasant respite to the often violent falls along Eagle Creek. The falls are viewed from a stretch of the Eagle Creek trail that traverses an open catwalk-like section, blasted out of the face of the gorge wall. Below the trail, the gorge drops 100 feet straight down. A short distance upstream, there are outstanding views looking up the gorge to High Bridge. Immediately next to Loowit Falls is small cascade along Eagle Creek itself which I had referred to in the past as High Bridge Falls, but after revisiting the falls, its clear it doesn't meet the height requirement for this database, so it has been omitted.
- Loowit Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
I haven't been able to find documentation of the meaning of Loowit, but in various local tribal lore Loowit was an old woman who tendered an eternal fire burning on the Bridge of the Gods, who upon death transformed into Mount St. Helens.
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. The viewpoint for Loowit Falls is located about 3.2 miles along the trail, 1.1 mile past the upper viewpoint for Punch Bowl Falls, and about 1/10 mile downstream from High Bridge.
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