Eagle Caves

From Interstate 84 take the exit after Exit 82 at the Dalles, turn left at the exit stop. Drive two blocks to Cherry Heights Rd. Turn right and drive exactly 3.6 miles to Sandlin Rd. Turn right and drive exactly 1.4 miles (stay on the middle track when the road turns to gravel), to a gate that is a cable with a sign saying no vehicular access. Park there and walk about .7 mile to launch, starting on the access road then going straight ahead when the road forks left and right. This is an easy flat walk.

Launch is the tapered slope almost directly above the water tanks below. A little grooming needs to be done. The LZ is the big field as seen from launch with a church at the east end of the field. A small building resides on the north edge of the field; we have permission to install a windsock on this building. An optional LZ is the school field one block north. The church LZ has less hazards. Eagle Caves is a ridge soaring site and works best with a northeast to east wind. Northeast winds are not the best conditions for Cliffside but are ideal for Eagle Caves. Top landing should be easy if you go back some distance from launch, the field is huge. Sled rides should last all of two to three minutes.

Eagle Caves was removed from the site guide a couple of years ago but it will be reinstated with the new updates soon. Revisions will be needed later as the parks department improves the area and it may be possible in the future to drive close to launch. Picnic tables, pit toilets, hiking trails and possibly camping may be added in the future.

Stan Harryman June 2002