Ruckel Ridge Catwalk an Ruckel Creek Loop in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR

Hike Ruckel Ridge Catwalk an Ruckel Creek Loop Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR

Class 3 9.3 miles 3800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Oct 10, 2015
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Ruckel Ridge Catwalk an Ruckel Creek Loop GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

This route may have access issues.

As of January 2022, this hike is closed due to a fire.

I headed through the Eagle Creek Campground and started along the Buck Point Trail, which switchbacks up the lower portion of Ruckel Ridge. The Buck Point Trail ascends to a point sharing the trail's name, an overlook into the Columbia River Gorge. The trail becomes a bit faded (being an unofficial route) as it ascends east along Ruckel Ridge and portions are very steep. The trail then ascends along basalt columns, a brief introduction to what I'd soon encounter, a portion called The Catwalk. This was the main attraction of this hike for me. It's likely avoidable by wrapping around the base of the basalt columns, but the scramble is fun and straightforward. The moss makes this section a little treacherous, especially when wet, but it's a really cool spot.

The Ruckel Ridge Trail continues up to a flat section after quite a bit of vertical elevation gain and meets a junction with the Ruckel Creek Trail. Gorgeous forest continues along the descent along this trail, which completes the loop. It was pouring so I put my camera away.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Along Ruckel Ridge.
Along Ruckel Ridge.
Great overlooks into the Eagle Creek gorge from the Ruckel Ridge trail
Great overlooks into the Eagle Creek gorge from the Ruckel Ridge trail
Image 2 from gallery
Views to the right while ascending along the steep trail to the ridge
Views to the right while ascending along the steep trail to the ridge
Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge from along Ruckel Ridge.
Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge from along Ruckel Ridge.
A break from the trees along the Ruckel Ridge
A break from the trees along the Ruckel Ridge
Along the ridgeline. This is what most of the trail looks like once past the lower steep parts.
Along the ridgeline. This is what most of the trail looks like once past the lower steep parts.
Some random rock formations along the trail, similar to what the Catwalk will look like when you eventually get to it.
Some random rock formations along the trail, similar to what the Catwalk will look like when you eventually get to it.
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
Approaching The Catwalk.
Approaching The Catwalk.
The start of The Catwalk.
The start of The Catwalk.
The start of the Catwalk.
The start of the Catwalk.
The difficult part of the Catwalk, which really wasn't too big of a deal. Just a little slippery. And also avoidable if you're not feeling it.
The difficult part of the Catwalk, which really wasn't too big of a deal. Just a little slippery. And also avoidable if you're not feeling it.
The Catwalk.
The Catwalk.
Beautiful forest greets you after a final slog up the ridge.
Beautiful forest greets you after a final slog up the ridge.
Image 16 from gallery
It started getting dark and rainy, so I didn't take any more photos once I got to the halfway mark. The route down is a the decent Ruckel Creek Trail through mostly forest.
It started getting dark and rainy, so I didn't take any more photos once I got to the halfway mark. The route down is a the decent Ruckel Creek Trail through mostly forest.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!