Even though this is the most popular hike in the Columbia Gorge, I only saw three other people in January when I decided to take an overnight backpacking trip on the trail. There is a reason for this trail's popularity--it is full of exciting features around every corner. Your senses are going crazy the entire time, which greatly distracts you from the weight of the pack and length of hike. Plus, in January, it's cool and refreshing!
To begin with, here is how to get there from the highway: Eastbound I-84, take exit no. 41. There is no Westbound exit at Eagle Creek, so exit at Bonneville Dam and backtrack on I-84 to exit no. 41.
Once you are in the parking lot, you need to pay the overnight fee (about $5). Then load up and it's "away you go." There is greenery abounding all around you: ferns, mosses, pines, etc. The trail is great for families and hardcore hikers both, although they do not recommend dogs coming on this trail, due to the narrow passages and cliff edges. There are a few places where they have put up cable railings to hold onto so you don't go plummeting down the cliff faces (hold onto your kids in these sections). About 2 miles up the trail, you will run into your first waterfall, Punch Bowl Falls. This falls requires a very steep descent of about a half-mile off the main trail--down, down, down. But when you get there, you find an amazingly picturesque view of a 25-foot waterfall often found in calendars. There are progressively higher bridges spanning steep rock valleys along the way. The third of these bridges is "high bridge," which spans a gorge about 40 feet wide and 150 feet high. Dangle your toes over the edge of this one and enjoy the humbling experience! Six miles up the trail you come to "Tunnel Falls," which is not only a neat waterfall, but the surrounding area is gorgeous. You can even climb behind the falls and sit there in deep contemplation. I had the whole thing to myself--truly relaxing!
Once you pass "high bridge," backpacking campgrounds start to emerge. I picked the first one, which was right by a small waterfall (about a 5-foot drop). That way I was able to shed my extra weight and finish my hike to Tunnel Falls. Overall, this is a great 12-mile trip that is well worth checking out. I hear that these first 7 miles are the best (a 800-foot elevation), whereas the rest gets more steep and less interesting. Since I didn't go past the 7-mile point, I can't say for sure, though. Enjoy!