Twister Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Twister Falls is arguably the most unique waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. Eagle Creek veils, plunges and twists about 140 vertical feet in a very eclectic variety of shapes at the head of a narrow canyon. The falls begin with a sliding cascade dropping about 5 feet into a pool, from which the creek gathers and continues to slide until it hits a domed 50 foot cliff with two channels carved into the rock which forces the two channels of water to spray into and across each other mid-fall, resulting in a natural bow-tie shape. Immediately below this, the creek bends almost 90 degrees to the left and plunges another 80 feet, slamming into a protruding rock just before pooling in a large basin below. Viewing the falls in entirety is unfortunately very difficult due to the way the trail approaches the falls, carved precariously into the adjacent cliff, but the intimacy factor certainly makes up for visibility issues. Exercise caution where the trail approaches the top of the falls, there are no protective railings to safeguard against falling into the gorge.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Also Known as: Crossover Falls, Crisscross Falls, Eagle Creek Falls
Twister Falls is the Adopted name of this waterfall

This waterfall was never named by the USGS, and due to its proximity to nearby Tunnel Falls, it recieves a fair amount of attention, so there have been many names applied to it over the years - most of which revolve around a descriptive of the upper tier of the falls. Crossover, Crisscross, Bowtie and Eagle Creek Falls are all common namings - the latter appearing in A Waterfall Lovers Guide to the Pacific Northwest. The most accepted name, however, is Twister Falls.

Location and directions

Twister Falls is accessed from the Eagle Creek Trail near the Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River Gorge. Depart Interstate 84 at Eagle Creek (signed, but only accessible to eastbound traffic 0 westbounders need to turn around at the Bonneville Dam exit), turn left and proceed to the trailhead. Twister is passed just under approximately 6 1/4 miles from the trailhead and is impossible to miss after passing behind Tunnel Falls shortly downstream. Access to the base of the falls is possible but requires a steep, precarious scramble down a slope of very loose rocks that could easily torque an ankle.

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Twister Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Sevenmile Falls	0.16 mi / 0.25 km
Grand Union Falls	0.17 mi / 0.27 km
Tunnel Falls	0.19 mi / 0.31 km
Upper East Fork Falls	0.46 mi / 0.74 km
Unnamed Waterfall	0.89 mi / 1.43 km
Wy'east Falls	0.94 mi / 1.5 km
Unnamed Waterfall	1.18 mi / 1.89 km
Tenas Falls	1.72 mi / 2.75 km
Unnamed Waterfall	1.81 mi / 2.9 km
Opal Creek Falls	1.84 mi / 2.95 km

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Photography tips

There are several popular compositions of Twister Falls. Flowers are commonly seen growing on the mossy rocks adjacent to the top of the falls, so a common view is looking over the falls with the flowers in the foreground. Shooting the falls head-on will require a fairly wide lens from trailside and a modest zoom (60-90mm) from below. The falls face northeast and are fairly exposed to direct light from above. Beware that from the bottom of the falls you'll be shooting straight into the sun in the late morning to early afternoon.

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Twister Falls Hood River County, Oregon, United States