If you still feel like you still have some energy, the last two major waterfalls, both on the West Fork Eagle Creek, can be seen in the next half mile. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 27 min to complete. Lovely, beautiful trail. Narrow trail with anchored cables into rock in some areas to hold onto for support away from cliff edge. "Magical moment. Most hikers either turn around at Twister Falls about seven miles in, at High Bridge after 3.6 miles, or at Punch Bowl Falls only two miles from the trailhead. And I'm like, 'Yeah, that's -'". We hiked out expecting to stay there, but we had to hike back because the site wasn't viable. Then you'll pass under a cliff face to reach the junction with the Eagle Benson Trail #434. My name is Rhonda.' "That has nothing to do with me, but I think a grand jury looked at the evidence and said there's enough here to go to trial. "Six o'clock rolled around--nothing. Just a half mile past Tunnel Falls is the fascinating Twister Falls, where the water contorts on its way down. There are a couple of small sloping campsites below the trail. Her autopsy seemed to support Nichols' claim that she may have been high that day. The trail is very beautiful, lots of falls, flowers, and berries. Dont be surprised if you find peoples dirty toilet paper and other garbage at the campsites though. That route is CLOSED. Mike Arnold says, so what? You're a witness. Suddenly, a startling new chapter in this case begins as the motion to dismiss hearing continues. ", Asked if she enjoyed hiking, Nichols told Van Sant, "She loved it. And thats likely to happen again. Gloves Spikes Waterproof boots Little succulent-leaved stonecrop plants bloom here in late spring. GoalTechHikes Eagle Creek 1/2/21 - Post Fire Opening, Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) (USFS), Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike (Muddy Camper), Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls (Friends of the Columbia Gorge), Eagle Creek Hike to Tunnel Falls (Outdoor Project), Eagle Creek Trail to Tunnel Falls (Hiking Project), Tunnel Falls @ Eagle Creek (Kristi Does PDX), Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls (Must Hike Must Eat), "New bridges installed on Eagle Creek Trail, but hiking remains off-limits" (Oregon Live), "A massive rock slide and the effort to reopen the Eagle Creek Trail" (Pacific Crest Trail Association), "What you need to know before hiking the reopened Eagle Creek Trail" (Oregon Live), Sorenson Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Metlako Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Punch Bowl Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Loowit Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Skoonichuck Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Wy'east Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Grand Union Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Tunnel Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Twister Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), Sevenmile Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey), "Now 100 years old, Eagle Creek helped revolutionize camping in the 20th century" (Oregon Live), https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Eagle_Creek_to_Tunnel_Falls_Hike&oldid=112641. Eagle Creek was overcrowded before the fire, and the pent-up demand after a three-year closure will likely result in big crowds for the foreseeable future. In August 2015, Stephen Nichols was in court for a bail hearing. There is more snow the further in you go, but we didn't need spikes even though we brought them. In addition, two bridges, the Fern Creek Bridge and the High Bridge, had to be replaced because of fire damage. "I don't know," he replied. That's why we're here," said Jackson. Arnold says no tests were done to see if Rhonda made any contact with the outcroppings on the way down the cliffside -- contact that could have affected where her body finally came to rest. And I don't know if you guys wanna use this, but she bit him on the shoulder. All parking areas require cars to display either a Northwest Forest Pass or another federal lands pass. The water flow changes during the seasons so each bridge or walk-over rocks present excitement each time you visit. Will do again! He lost, like, a quarter of a million dollars," said Julia Simmons. The fourth cabled section of the trail takes you along a cliff 120 feet above the creek. (A sign that used to exist further uptrail described an earlier forest fire that swept through this area back in 1902.) Perfect day. She broke into a run and, according to Nichols, she slipped on the wet path and fell more than 150 feet to her death. There is a hole in the trail approximately 1 mile from the trailhead, just past the first cable section. High point: 505 feet. If youre hiking on a sunny afternoon bring extra water since the previous shaded trail is gone. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. "Once you start getting really high up, there is a very -- a narrow part of the trail that -- there's kind of, like, a rope or a chain on the inner cliff edge that you have to hold onto 'cause it's just barely wide enough for one person to walk all around the ledge," said Colburn. Mike Arnold: And he wanted a conviction of Mr. Nichols? Eagle creek has many wonderful waterfalls. With no cell phone signal, he returned to the trail parking lot and called 911. Most of this hike is burned up and the sun glares on you. However, recovery efforts from the 2017 Eagle Creek wildfire are still underway on some of these multi-day loop trail opportunities (Ruckel Creek #403, Tanner Butte #401, Eagle-Tanner #433, and Tanner Cutoff #448 trails remain closed). This hike is not far from Portland and is best in the spring or early summer to really appreciate the beautiful waterfalls. Here is the story: A 23-year-old Portland woman died Monday 3/16 after falling 100 feet down an embankment on the popular Eagle River trail, west of Cascade Locks, Hood River County authorities said. Then 8 o'clock rolled around and nothing.". The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned hot in this section of the gorge, so you will be constantly reminded of that conflagration. In 2008, three years into their relationship, the couple became parents when their daughter was born. But Simmons says that doesn't really sound like her daughter. Then you'll negotiate another cable-railed cliff face on hexagonal "paving stones", actually columns of basalt sheared off by the original trail builders. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. "If you're a young couple with a kid you should have life insurance," Arnold said. Carrie Rasmussen: Right. It's beautiful but treacherous. Sheriff English: It could have been official misconduct or tampering with evidence, potentially. The Eagle Creek trailhead is near Cascade Locks, Oregon across from the Bonneville Dam. You remember receiving that? Very popular. connected to the .gov website. Many people stop here to take photos of the falls and their cool, refreshing amphitheater. "I'm positive that he killed her," Simmons said. Arnold told the court of best-selling true-crime writer Steve Jackson. "It turns out the reason that indictment came up is because of pressure from a book author!" Mike Arnold: And did you have a suspect in those criminal acts? Ten months later, Nichols and his daughter decided to take a trip back to Oregon. Then veer left on the Pacific Crest Trail for 6.3 miles to the Benson Plateau and turn left to descend the Ruckel Creek Trail back to your car. Deputy Matt English with the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, says their 911 center received a call at 6:09 p.m. from a man who had accompanied the woman on the hike. "She just looked at me, and she said, 'Your daughter's gone,'" said Simmons. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB. The trail crosses a rocky wash above thickets of willow on the creek, and tiger lilies bloom at the trail verge in early summer. Oregon Medical Examiner Christopher Young performed Rhonda's autopsy and testified at Nichols' bail hearing that all of Rhonda's serious injuries occurred below her waist. Julia Simmons [looking at document]: Well, I see it here, so I must've done it. Celebrate and remember the lives we have lost in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Hood National Forest. Come prepared with a waterproof jacket and good rain clothes, or else be prepared to get wet. I love you. The September 2017 fire that swept through the Columbia River Gorge temporarily closed 10 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and a popular PCT alternate route, the Eagle Creek Trail. "You know, Peter, the funny thing about science is you don't have to believe in it for it to be true," he replied. Those looking for extra mileage can continue down the trail, though a 14-mile round trip hike should be enough adventure for most. But not everyone knows the story of the 150 hikers who were trapped by the fire including nine Salem teenagers and forced to spend a night in the forest before hiking out the long way. There were showers from time to time and the trail was damp. It was a chaplain sent by the local fire department. very easy extremely well-maintained trail. There is one more 200 foot waterfall ahead about a half a mile. "So we're at an outcropping here at Eagle Creek," he said. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where a cool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summer day. We were hiking and she -- it was all icy and she just slipped off the mountain.'". John Whaley: She was quite an attractive gal estimated to be in her younger 20s. (CASCADE LOCKS, Ore.) - Deputies say a 23-year old Portland woman died Monday afternoon after falling from a popular hiking trail west of Cascade Locks. At the next scree slope, you should hear the alarm calls of the resident pikas, who survived the fire huddled in cool crevices below the surface. The route of the Eagle Creek Trail #501 (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: National Geographic Topo. Browse the most recent Eagle Creek, Oregon obituaries and condolences. This page has been accessed 718,151 times. The trail down to Wahtum was very well maintained and easy. Pacific Crest Trail Association volunteers were able to reopen the PCT quickly, but the Eagle Creek Trail, which follows a steep and beautiful canyon, just reopened . 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Free permits are self-issued at the Wilderness boundary. Built in the 1910s to accompany the opening of the Columbia River Highway, the Eagle Creek Trail is one of Oregon's most spectacular paths, passing half a dozen major waterfalls. "I feel like there is enough evidence to convict him," she continued. "I didn't have a team of investigators there. Eagle Creek Trail in Columbia River Gorge reopens 3 years after devastating wildfire The U.S. Forest Service reopened the trail on Dec. 28. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h . "Attraction right away?" Do not park in front of fish hatchery or along roadways or in areas marked "No Parking." There is a self-service pay station at the picnic area and the trailhead. Apparently, key evidence, including some death scene and autopsy photos, is missing. Investigators returned to the scene of Rhonda Casto's fall for an unusual experiment. "You were tongue tied," Van Sant remarked. And I'm like, 'Hi, I'm --"' and she goes, 'Steve.' "No, I did not. You'll reach the location of Tenas Camp, the first area of permitted camping on the Eagle Creek Trail (but campfires are not allowed). (541) 308-1700 When Rhonda died in 2009, she was the fourth fatality on the Gorge trails in just a six-month period. Certainly finished soaking wet, but that's to be expected on a rainy day in January. "One time she got really mad at him. On Thursday, all parking areas around the trailhead filled up by 9 a.m., as people took advantage of a break in the rain. Some of those passages are basically single tracks with cables that can be used as hand rails for those more sensitive to heights. For many of them are not accessible and you only see them from the trail that sometimes is far above the river. Easy 4.7 (2074) Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Please check the Mt Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Forest Closures for the latest information. Restrooms broken at the trailhead but portapotties available. Pretty falls. Some brave trail runners present! Do it on a dry day above 40 degrees! Photos (3,454) Directions. Nobody southbound but multiple groups of PCT through hikers that deviated from the PCT via Indian Spring Trail. He was buying drinks for all of us. Bail was set at $2 million. Entiat River. A path leads up to some sites on a bench above the trail, and there are more campsites below. The incline was nice and gradual. This trail offers some of the most spectacular scenery of any trail in the Gorge, including at least 5 waterfalls. "March 16th, 2009. Otherwise, stay on the Eagle Creek Trail, and cross a massive crib wall constructed by the PCTA at a spot where the trail slid away. Length 4.8 miElevation gain 1,020 ftRoute type Out & back. Length 11.9 miElevation gain 2,070 ftRoute type Out & back. Table Mountain Trail via Pacific Crest Trail, Aldrich Butte Trail Via Pacific Crest Trail, Gorge Trail 400: Bridge of the Gods Trailhead to Wyeth, PCT: WA Section H - Cascade Locks to Highway 12 (White Pass), Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, Greenleaf Falls Trail Via Pacific Crest Trail, Washington Backcountry Discovery Loop Route, Munra Point via Gorge Trail #400 [CLOSED], Ruckel Ridge and Ruckel Creek Loop Trail [CLOSED], Benson Plateau Trail to Wahtum Lake Loop [CLOSED]. ", Mike Arnold: "Perhaps it's time to see what a panel of citizens will decide?". Parking fills up quickly during hot days as many people visit to go swimming in the lower-punchbowl falls area. But I just think that she's just absolutely beautiful," Julia Simmons said of her daughter, Rhonda. He got a job teaching English to Chinese businessmen. Wild flowers and butterflies. Very icy and there were some sketchy parts but nothing too overwhelming. Waterfalls were amazing, trail is well maintained. I could tell that she valued intelligence and I've always thought that that's one of my strongest assets.". Matt English, the current sheriff of Hood River County, is about to drop a bombshell: Sheriff English: There were multiple files that are gone. Many months, the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the sheer basalt walls towering above you. Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. I want to warn people that this beautiful hike is quite dangerous in certain weather conditions. For a nice day-trip, hike 3.3 miles (6.6 round-trip) to aptly named High Bridge, then return and head to Cascade Locks for a late lunch. Van Sant asked. Arnold, having obtained the video through discovery, hopes to use their own demonstration to turn the tables on the prosecution. Gorge trails, like Angels Rest, came online quickly and it appeared that Eagle Creek and others might be back up by spring 2020. Fair amount of people at Wahtum Lake, but it was a weekend so that was expected. The climb out from eagle creek Trail on Indian springs Trail is no joke, very steep. And she goes, 'I told you.'". The first few miles and really most of the way to High Bridge there is a lot of low-intensity fire along trail, while up on the higher ridges, you can see much higher-severity fire manifest in the rows of dead trees. It is also a popular alternative route to the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail passes the boundary sign for the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and enters a shady defile to cross Wy'East Creek. He pleaded not guilty. Beautiful hike! Penstemon, arnica, monkeyflower, and saxifrage cling to the rocky fastness. Mike Arnold: Did you steal ___'s Social Security benefits? "The last time I saw Rhonda was at Boston's Grill," Jen Sconce, a friend of Rhonda's back in 2007, told "48 Hours." And I about jumped out of my seat," said Brandi Arneson. Aside from having proper footwear, maintaining physical awareness is key. Carved into rocky cliffs above Eagle Creek, the Eagle Creek Trail narrows to only a foot or two in most places, and passing people sometimes requires getting too close to the edge for comfort. He never doubted she was murdered: Mike Arnold: And when did it become a homicide investigation, as opposed to an accidental fall? United States. An official website of the "He pushed her down on the stairs and left bruises on her back," said Simmons. Some visitors leave their cars parked illegally along the roads around Eagle Creek, which poses both a danger for pedestrians and a problem for emergency vehicles that may need to reach the trailhead. Even though its been five years since the fire, there is still a lot of danger or at least things to look out for especially after big storms., More:Oregon's 'Green Friday' brings free fishing and state parks entry, waterfalls, tree cutting. So that was our goal. Arnold wants to know what hard evidence led to Nichols' arrest. I have been emotionally abusive at times to people. Different after the burn but still loved it. Nicely groomed. Looking across the gorge, you can see different layers of basalt entablature separated by narrower bands of colonnade. Sconce says Stephen Nichols thought Rhonda was acting flirtatious toward others in the bar. The rainy season means the smaller creeks that feed Eagle Creek are higher as well, and some crossings can be treacherous, requiring hikers to walk along fallen logs and slippery stones to continue along the trail. Nichols was extradited back to Oregon and charged with the murder. And I said, 'No, thank you,'" Nichols told Van Sant. It was more of a 30 mile hike vs what is in the description. You'll know when you are getting close when you pass by a section known as "the potholes" which look like smooth steps carved into the trail by an ancient waterfall. "I went over to Julia's room and I'm like, 'Your daughter is just incredibly beautiful.' It would be the last hike of her life. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. "To me the evidence, the physical evidence and the science shows us it's an accident," said Arnold. This is one of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge and can be a crowded experience on summer weekends. This trail follows a cliff for portions and can be very dangerous when slippery. "all the details that we'd so far heard, none of those makes sense with just simply sliding and falling down," said Arneson. Just looking at Rhonda, being transformed," he said. Please stay inside the guardrails. Many shivered through a hungry, exposed night outdoors and shared afterwards that they learned why it's so important to pack overnight essentials, even for a short day hike. Jessica Colburn first met Rhonda when they were in high school. Nichols and Rhonda each had a policy on the other for the same amount of money. Either way, it's a wonderful thing to return to Eagle Creek Trail. Hope you get out to, Soakin up those bluebird days at @mthoodmeadows, The fall colors are beginning to pop at Multnomah, A tranquil fall evening at Lost Lake, captured by, On these cooler fall nights, cozying up in front o, Who else is getting excited for the fall colors to, Hiking the Eagle Creek Trail to the Punchbowl waterfall, Important notes about the Eagle Creek Trail, The incredible Wahclella Falls trail in Oregon, The waterfalls in Starvation Creek State Park, Oregon, The stunning Dry Creek Falls hike near Cascade Locks, Oregon, What to do in Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. He sent you the email which caused you to react by setting it for grand jury? A second parking area has room for about a dozen cars along Northeast Eagle Creek Loop, the road that leads from Interstate 84 to the trailhead, though parking is prohibited along most of the road. We hiked all the way to the lake and camped! Despite its moderate grade, the Eagle Creek Trail can be dangerous due to the steep cliff sides without railings and water crossings. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. So this will need to be a regular hike. The defense then takes aim at that dummy test, which Arnold thinks is as dumb as its name: Mike Arnold: Three grown men who have some athleticism through their job duties were not able to make that dummy reach what you think is the final resting place of Rhonda Casto. Beyond, the next 3 miles to Tunnel Falls do have some landslides that make for tricky hiking, and at least one semi-difficult creek crossing, but it does remain open and doable. Within days, Rhonda's loved ones held a memorial where her mother says Nichols was acting strangely. He does something "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant has never seen. Investigators believe that's not true. Fairly low people count, especially after Punch Bowl Falls. While beautiful, the trail is also one of the most treacherous in the Columbia River Gorge a problem compounded by landslides, narrow paths and the enormous crowds who flock to see it. In a nutshell: One of Oregons most scenic trails, located in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks. Standing on the High Bridge, you can see down the narrow gorge and also up the creek to small cascades. But there's a problem -- something that could throw the entire case into doubt. Check out this 11.9-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. Tiffany has denied, under oath, that he ever intentionally destroyed anything: Mike Arnold: Do you know what happened to the hard drive that those files were on? Arnold has some questions about the scientific rigor of DeHaven's tests, including laughter in the background: Michael Arnold: Was that person laughing part of the scientific experiment? "No one else knew why we were laughing, but we did.". There is a tunnel behind the 175ft falls that was dug out (with great effort) around 1910. Its also a great place to see the way wildfires impact different patches of forest at different severity. That objection is overruled. Turn left at the stop sign, go under the interstate and then turn left onto the eastbound freeway entrance. But Rhonda also had a sense of humor, so I, I really--I don't know," said Nichols. Pretty dusty this late in the season, water is low. There's another view of Punch Bowl Falls just beyond that viewpoint as you continue along the Eagle Creek Trail, and then you'll cross the Tish Creek Bridge, this version installed in 2017 and miraculously a survivor of the fire later that year. 902 Wasco Avenue, The campsites to the right of the trail were obliterated by two large Douglas-firs, which fell in early 2017. This is an amazing gorge hike with several beautiful waterfalls, including one that users can walk behind. But every now and again you hear it the loud crack and crash of a fire-weakened tree splitting and plummeting down the canyon. After you pass into a dripping grotto festooned with maidenhair fern, you'll rise above the Eagle Creek Formation and reach cliffs of Columbia River Basalts where the trail was blasted out of the rock. After you pass through the tunnel, you'll see yellow-blooming streambank arnica clinging to the cliff face. "If Stephen Nichols murdered your daughter, why did he do it?" But at least for now as of November the route is clear for the spectacular 3.3 miles to High Bridge. Bear in mind that it is only above the High Bridge that overnight camping is permitted on the Eagle Creek Trail; in addition, many of the original campsites have disappeared under heavy brush or downed trees, so availability is more limited than it used to be. On some sections of the trail, hikers are forced to either plunge into a puddle or step around it and walk along the edge of a cliff (many, perhaps reflexively, choose the latter). Explore one of 2 easy hiking trails in Eagle Creek or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Looking for the best hiking trails in Eagle Creek? "And I kept saying, 'I don't even know who you are, but you are the most amazing man I've ever met. He told the operator that Rhonda had been acting high, being silly and running on the slippery trail before she fell. As you pass behind it just think about how much effort it must have taken back then to do this work far into this canyon! If it's a hot day take the time here to cool down and relax a bit before continuing on the the gem of the hike! "A little over two months and she was fluent in Mandarin She had dance lessons. "My daughter was absolutely thriving," Nichols said. But something was about to happen. It is the most dramatic section of the hike for its vertical rise above the gorge floor. "She'd call me, or she'd be over at my house.". End Point: Eagle Creek Ford. Hiked in to Tunnel Falls and back on 1/15. The two first landed in San Francisco, where Stephen was stunned to be met by authorities and arrested. The trail reopened in . I just said, 'What happened?' While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. After you cross a scree slope, the valley becomes more V-shaped with the slopes across scorched by a raging crown fire. In total, the effort brought in an additional $149,000including $30,000 donated by Friends on behalf of its membersfor Gorge trail repair and restoration efforts. "And if it was not an accident, then what was she thinking when she went down -- that the person that she thought loved her could have done this to her?" After all these years, friends Jessica Colburn and Brandi Arneson finally find the courage to visit, for the first time, the spot where Rhonda fell from that trail. ", "I'm the most non-violent person you will ever meet," he said. And they were fighting really bad and" Simmons said. The hike to Tunnel Falls is one of the most storied day trips in the Pacific Northwest (see the long list of guidebooks below). Tiffany has not been charged with any crime. The mountainous, wooded wilderness soaring above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge draws thousands of hikers every year to trek along its narrow trails. The Eagle Creek Trailhead is about a 45 minute drive east of downtown Portland on Interstate 84. Deputy DeHaven admits in six different attempts, they could not get the dummy to land at the spot they believed was Rhonda's final resting place. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian. I have never done anything to harm her," Nichols replied. It was along the Eagle Creek trail that Rhonda Casto, a 23-year-old mother of a nine-month-old girl, set out with her boyfriend, Stephen Nichols, back on March 16, 2009. Cables are still bolted into rock walls at some points, but thats about all the help youll get. At the junction with the Lower Punch Bowl Trail #440B, you can descend 300 feet down into the gorge to a spot just upstream of Lower Punch Bowl Falls; however, the view of Punch Bowl Falls from the end of this spur trail no longer exists due to a 2018 landslide that blocked the creek (see the Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls Hike). That's what responsible parents do. "I liked China. "They were a delight together. Arnold claims Simmons would do just about anything for money, including a despicable crime: cashing her granddaughter's monthly death benefit check from the government despite never having custody of her. A. Wilderness Permits are required when entering Mark O Hatfield Wilderness. She had hiked that trail numerous times before.". "Knowing her family, I'm gonna say it's made up," he replied. Rating as moderate is perfect! It's just the way I deal with pain," he replied. Backpacked to Moss Bridge (5ish mi) stayed the night and hiked to Tunnel Falls the next morning. I think it was Mike Arnold: It was because of the pressure put on you by Steve Jackson. "And as their relationship evolved, honestly, did she love Stephen more for what was inside him, or what was in his wallet?" Nichols' attorney is Mike Arnold, who recently made headlines representing Ammon Bundy, the leader of the armed occupation of Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. "She got treated badly, and he tried to cheat on her several times," Julia Simmons alleged. Arnold isn't buying the timing of the grand jury: Judge John Olsen: Miss Rasmussen, you can't object. Eagle Creek Trail Moderate 4.5 (800) Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Photos (5,435) Directions Print/PDF map Length 25.8 miElevation gain 4,829 ftRoute type Out & back Explore this 25.8-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. Meaning, Arnold contends, that Rhonda slipped feet first, because if she'd been pushed, she would have tumbled head over heels, sustaining injuries over her entire body. Wow what a gorgeous hike! St. Helens upon dying. The trail is well groomed, just rocky and narrow in spots. Please consult a good, up to date map when planning backpacking trips. "And then she asked me again and I said, 'No, thank you. But now, on the stand, Mike Arnold puts her credibility under the microscope: Julia Simmons: Are you just trying to badger me? "Absolutely not," he replied. Julia Simmons: I'm not doing anything right now. Eagle Creek Trail high above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge. "For about three months after Rhonda died I completely shut down," he said. A spur leads down to some campsites, and the view up the creek is of a lush green canyon with living trees! The Eagle Creek Trail is a frequent spot for search and rescue operations, so be prepared with food, water and a GPS device and the ability to stay overnight if you plan on heading far down the trail. There are no guardrails to speak of. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where acool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summerday. Natural hazards: Downed trees and landslides may be possible on the trail. They brought with them two crash test dummies, the same size and weight as Rhonda, to prove their theory she was pushed. "There were times where we could just kinda look at each other and know what the other one was thinking and we'd just laugh," she said. The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn. Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time.