April 22 was Earth Day, a day most people know for the lectures about recycling, using paper straws or a good time to post your best sunset pictures on your Instagram story. This day can also be taken as a reminder of our climate change anxieties, the seemingly inevitable time bomb for ecosystems and species on Earth collapsing. For a day that was an important product of the environmental movement of the 1970s, Earth Day seems less significant than it once was.
The reality is that the day-to-day hustle many people live in leaves us too busy at work or too tired on your couch to smell the roses. Take the recently passed Earth Day to reconcile and think, “How can I live in harmony with nature?” As we often forget we’re a part of this planet’s processes too.
I kept this question in mind as I ventured with a few friends to the Tunnel Falls trail along Eagle Creek. The trail hugs the ridge of a lush valley, making its way past multiple waterfalls. Late spring is the perfect season for this hike, as the forest is in full flush and the new snowmelt has the creek gushing.
Punchbowl Falls is the first attraction on the hike — featuring a smooth waterslide cut into the rock that pours into a pristine punch bowl-shaped swimming area. In the summer this spot is a popular attraction.
Something is encouraging about hiking beside a waterway, as the water seems to effortlessly flow its way over terrain, in the same way we can walk. The white noises of the continual waterfall made for a calming ambiance throughout the hike, often muting any conversation we tried to make. I didn’t complain, as so often words can only interrupt the beauty of something so serene.
We were constantly reminded of the massive water network we observed at Eagle Creek. Many streams flowed into the creek from side ridges, while the Eagle Creek poured into the Columbia River, whose gorge the creek is nestled in.
The trail is cut straight into the overlooking rock, making for a narrow trek. I strongly encourage any travelers to use the steel wire handles, as loose rocks and mud can be dangerous. Despite the risk, the exposed cliff does allow for stunning views.
Trickling rainwater seeped down the hill and showered down on us, providing some refreshment as we walked. The trail became steeper as we hiked further in, but the constant view of the creek and the unique shapes of the surrounding rocky hills kept us motivated and entertained.
Tunnel Falls trail never leads you away from the action, keeping you in constant view of the striking ridges and waterfalls. However far you make it into the 12-mile hike, you’ll find your work compensated for. The trail is preferable for me than many mountain hikes that often leave your mind fixated on simply summiting.
The crown jewel attraction of Tunnel Falls is its namesake, a tall waterfall cascading over a jagged cliff. Hikers get to feel the mist on their faces, as the trail cuts behind the waterfall through a man-made tunnel. Walking inside the tunnel, the rumbling sound of the water is insulated with an echo. The loudness of water pounding the rocks can feel violent at such proximity, yet it’s a natural event that has taken course for centuries, and the rocks didn’t seem to take any issue with it.
The final destination along the trail is at a slightly higher elevation, another wide-spanning waterfall. After this, there is a turnaround, as the hike is a simple out-and-back. While this will not offer new scenery with every bend, every feature on the trail was pleasant to pass by again. So often a new perspective on familiar things can change it entirely, and that was my mindset. We take natural beauty for granted when it sits beside the road or when we’re caught up with matters indoors — yet hikes like these put us in the perfect position to take notice.
Hustle culture keeps our heads looking down while we’re occupied with chores and assignments. Stop for a moment. Look up! It’s a beautiful world. Most of us can’t always be outdoors, but take advantage of events like Earth Day to explore the natural beauty sculpted through millennia. Mother Nature will always be the grandest of architects — she never demands attention for her work. Whether it’s a 15-minute walk in the park or a weekend day trip, see what she has to offer.
