Traces of marijuana were found in her system and prescription drugs, which may have affected her balance. The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn scars throughout the hike. Within days, Rhonda's loved ones held a memorial where her mother says Nichols was acting strangely. I dont recommend this trail in potentially icy conditions. I loved it. The hike to Tunnel Falls is one of the most storied day trips in the Pacific Northwest (see the long list of guidebooks below). A slip and fall on a dangerous trail.". Loowit Falls is framed by two small drops on Eagle Creek itself. The best months to see wildflowers are April, May, and June. "Do you think that's a true statement?" On Oregon I-84 Eastbound, take exit 41 toward Fish Hatchery/Eagle Creek/Rec. And Arnold says accidents like Rhonda's are more frequent than people realize. Otherwise, hikers can simply continue along the trail with no concern of getting turned around. ", Mike Arnold: "Perhaps it's time to see what a panel of citizens will decide?". Print/PDF map. He was buying drinks for all of us. Just down the trail nearing 4 miles you'll pass a campsite area called Tenas Camp. Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) Area Status: Open This spectacular cliffside hike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. It is the most dramatic section of the hike for its vertical rise above the gorge floor. See the other AllTrails of Eagle Creek to Wahtum and many people will report the same. That objection is overruled. Her autopsy seemed to support Nichols' claim that she may have been high that day. "I -- what was in his wallet, 'cause I know that she didn't like his personality after she had been with him a few years and saw how he -- he tortured her mentally," said Simmons. Julia Simmons: I'm not doing anything right now. Please remain silent Judge John Olsen: Hold on we all know what sustained means in this courtroom. Expect to wear your masks throughout most of your hike. "If Stephen Nichols murdered your daughter, why did he do it?" Ever. "Six o'clock rolled around--nothing. For a quick, easy and semi kid-friendly trek, hike 2.2 miles (4.4 round-trip) to Punchbowl Falls. There are three parking lots on-site including one for larger trailers, and a valid recreation pass or day use fee is required. "That being said, I'm not perfect. There are rock benches on the stream here where you can take a break, and small drops above on the creek where there are swimming holes. Parking: Please park in designated spaces only. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. The trail crosses scree slopes that bloom with stonecrop in late spring. The trail connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities intheMark O. Hatfield Wildernesson the Hood River Ranger District in theMt. "You felt a connection right away," Van Sant commented. Lovely, beautiful trail. This waterfall is what makes this hike absolutely amazing! Tiffany has not been charged with any crime. Area. In that August 2015 bail hearing, Tiffany tells Arnold his suspicions were further confirmed by stories he heard from Rhonda's family. 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. If you're looking for a campsite, Seven and a Half Mile Camp is a little farther up the trail. 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). There is lots of low-intensity fire, often known as good fire, where trees might have black scorch marks but the canopy is intact and the forest floor is covered up with ferns, moss or the golden color of bigleaf maple. You'll reach the top of Twister Falls, with its necktie "crossover" of two streams of water. Campfire prohibited June 1 - Sept 15. "She wasn't afraid to say things that she felt or wanted to say or do," Arneson recalled. Crowds also pose problems on the trail itself. Official websites use .gov A .gov The Eagle Creek Trail runs 13.1 miles one way, from the main trailhead to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail at Wahtum Lake, though few hike the whole thing. As you turn into a gully, you'll get a glimpse of the top of Metlako Falls across the gorge and then cross Sorenson Creek, with its round concrete steps. "If I sneeze, if I cough, if any little thing goes wrong, that I was gonna die.". KATU NEWS REPORT: A man hiking with Rhonda Casto says that she fell off a cliff last night. Distance: 4.2 miles (round trip) Elevation gain: 525 feet. This spectacular cliffsidehike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. The U.S. Forest Service has also posted a sign at the Eagle Creek Trailhead with a reminder that face coverings are mandatory when hikers cant stay at least six feet apart, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (The Eagle Benson Trail, which rises 2,900 feet to the Benson Plateau, has not been maintained since the 2017 fire.). Trail has some narrow sandy spots to be careful on past mile 9, otherwise solid. A stumble here can lead to a deadly freefall. "Yeah. Gorgeous falls. "If you're a young couple with a kid you should have life insurance," Arnold said. Just past Twister Falls is a sloping rocky bank that makes a great place to rest. on official, secure websites. 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. Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. "There's one universal truth out there, and that's physics. Again, a great photo opportunity. Penstemon, arnica, monkeyflower, and saxifrage cling to the rocky fastness. "Magical moment. In autumn the canyon is ablaze in golden color as waterfalls drip down cliff walls from every direction, reminding hikers why this has long been considered one of Oregons five best hikes. In January 2016, in Hood River, defense attorney Mike Arnold plans to put the prosecution's case on trial at a hearing to have all charges against Stephen Nichols dismissed. The Eagle Creek Trailhead is about a 45 minute drive east of downtown Portland on Interstate 84. Not suitable for young children. Gorge trails, like Angels Rest, came online quickly and it appeared that Eagle Creek and others might be back up by spring 2020. Hiking the Eagle Creek Trail - Backpacker This is what one firecracker can do. "I had been there before," Nichols replied. Please also be mindful of your pets and be sure to wear proper footwear. Start point: Harvey Road Trailhead. Photos (5,154) Directions. This is after you pass Tunnel falls and Twister Falls. What really happened to Rhonda Casto? I was literally floored," Nichols said. Very popular. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. After the devastating 50,000 acre . And its still one of the best hikes in Oregon, especially among those that usually stay open through the winter, with the exception of a few low-elevation snowstorms and the aforementioned landslides. Different after the burn but still loved it. Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time. Arnold is talking about the condition and location of Rhonda's body. "Have you done anything wrong?" On Thursday, all parking areas around the trailhead filled up by 9 a.m., as people took advantage of a break in the rain. there are some very high cliffs and if you are afraid of heights or afraid of falling just be a little cautious. "March 16th, 2009. Eagle Creek Trailhead approach and fee station information board. Sheriff English: It could have been official misconduct or tampering with evidence, potentially. Many months, the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the sheer basalt walls towering above you. Why would Stephen want Rhonda dead? Some of those passages are basically single tracks with cables that can be used as hand rails for those more sensitive to heights. His daughter was sent to live with Rhonda's family. This trail begins at Eagle Creek Campground and ends at Wahtum Lake. The mountainous, wooded wilderness soaring above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge draws thousands of hikers every year to trek along its narrow trails. Mike Arnold: And was there a man following behind her? Day passes can be purchased on site for $5 per vehicle. Also loop opportunities with other Gorge trails abound. website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. The trail is well groomed, just rocky and narrow in spots. 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. Mike Arnold: What was the last line of your email back to him the next day? He sent you the email which caused you to react by setting it for grand jury? Browse the most recent Eagle Creek, Oregon obituaries and condolences. "I liked China. End Point: Eagle Creek Ford. I would definitely do the first seven miles again through the falls. 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. The climb out from eagle creek Trail on Indian springs Trail is no joke, very steep. Michael Arnold: Who's that laughing that "she lost her guts"? About 6 miles from the trailhead, hikers will reach Tunnel Falls, the most impressive waterfall on Eagle Creek, and one of Oregons best. "I kept calling and asking why anything -- nothing was happening," said Simmons. The first 7 miles are the best but the lake at the end is nice. "The pelvis was essentially shattered," Young told the court. By the time we were done people were parking a half mile away and walking in. Come prepared with a waterproof jacket and good rain clothes, or else be prepared to get wet. Heavy rains also mean an increased danger of landslides, which were common along Eagle Creek before the 2017 fire and are even more likely now. It was a chaplain sent by the local fire department. It is not recommended for children or those with accessibility issues. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Creek trail deaths oregon eagle - Clean Energy Works Oregon Trail was in good shape. Because while the trail has largely healed from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, the flames of five years ago will keep this an unstable and dynamic place of falling trees and landslides for years to come. One of the cliff sections: these may be unsafe for small children (Jeff Statt) The Eagle Creek Trail to Punch Bowl Falls and Lower Punch Bowl Falls. Melanie declined to speak with "48 Hours," and Nichols says allegations of statutory rape, or any relationship, are false. Rasmussen told "48 Hours" she will not discuss this case until it goes to trial. Across the creek, you'll may notice little Tenas Falls, where a tributary splits around a rock to make a twin plunge into Eagle Creek. Hiker Falls to Her Death at Eagle Creek Trail - Salem-News.Com PDF Eagle Creek Trail #440 - US Forest Service "I was tongue tied. But to the racist man with the pit bull threatening to push other peoples dogs off the trail, I hope you find some kind of happiness, because you definitely need it. "and you know, somebody that's really nice. You're a witness. It was about 40 degrees and the weather was spotty. But I just think that she's just absolutely beautiful," Julia Simmons said of her daughter, Rhonda. "No one else knew why we were laughing, but we did.". So sad now its burned. Carrie Rasmussen: Right. You take it one day at a time," said Nichols. "Everything about her was impressive. Easy 4.7 (2074) Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Mike Arnold: How much money were you getting a month from ___'s Social Security benefits? 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. From this area, you can get a view back to a pinnacle formation on the west side of the Eagle Creek Gorge; this needle had been concealed by tall conifers before the Eagle Creek Fire. "I didn't have a team of investigators there. Detectives from Hood River County, where Eagle Creek Trail is located, began investigating Rhonda's death. "And then she asked me again and I said, 'No, thank you. When Rhonda died in 2009, she was the fourth fatality on the Gorge trails in just a six-month period. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Just looking at Rhonda, being transformed," he said. Email, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29912&actid=50, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Aircraft/UAS/drone takeoffs and landings are prohibited, Effective Oct 20, 2022: Closure Update: Eagle Creek Fire, Drones prohibited in wilderness and select recreation sites, Klickitat Mile One Overnight Use & Large Boat Launch Prohibition, 11/7/22: Restroom closed for the winter; portable toilets available. And I don't know if you guys wanna use this, but she bit him on the shoulder. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Oregon's Oneonta Gorge closed 4 years ago. When will it reopen? Not a good one if you are scared of heights!!! If you are there in the spring with snowmelt or on a rainy day keep an eye out for smaller falls emptying into Eagle Creek below. Eagle Creek Trail In a nutshell: One of Oregon's most scenic trails, located in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks. But by the time Stephen Nichols and Rhonda Casto headed back down the narrow path, the weather had turned. 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. (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. "And as their relationship evolved, honestly, did she love Stephen more for what was inside him, or what was in his wallet?" Yesterday, ice was melting in the sun, dripping down, and freezing again below on narrow rocky ledges hikers must cross. And knowing that you're never getting back to your child.". 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. Many people bring their dogs with them. "I can tell that -- based on the injuries that she has, she -- she landed predominantly on her legs and her pelvis," Young testified. Author Steve Jackson will go just about anywhere for a good story, including the Hood River County Courthouse, where he's researching a book, along with his investigator, on Rhonda Casto's death. Imagine adding exhaustion and weather to that situation. Mike Arnold: And what's the potential crime for which you believe he's a suspect? Free permits are self-issued at the Wilderness boundary. Also there are plenty of campsites at Indian springs. "You were tongue tied," Van Sant remarked. Start by hiking up the Eagle Creek Trail 13.3 miles to Wahtum Lake. The upper parking area is found beside the Cascade Salmon Hatchery just off the interstate and has room for about three dozen cars. AMENITIES: Portable toilets, parking lots. Looking up or around you as you walk can sometimes result in a loss of balance, and on the Eagle Creek Trail that can be deadly. 902 Wasco Avenue, Tunnel Falls is amazing view with the ice and snow just be prepared to cross a creek with no dry crossing. Why? Eagle Creek Trailhead - Hiking in Portland, Oregon and Washington Please consult a good, up to date map when planning backpacking trips. There is parking available all the way from the trailhead back to Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery. She had hiked that trail numerous times before.". "There's nothing about her face that's just not pretty, everything is pretty.". Arnold has tracked down a witness that investigators and prosecutors overlooked: John Whaley, the last person besides Stephen Nichols to see Rhonda Casto alive: Mike Arnold: So do you recall hiking up Eagle Creek Trail back on March 16th, 2009? She remembers her best friend as simply irreplaceable. Arnold and his team of investigators try to reconstruct what happened to Rhonda, but it's not easy more than six years after her death. "She was, like, it for me. In fact, you'll soon pass a large fossil tree stump, now much diminished because of the depredations of decades of souvenir snatchers. "It was always easy to be around her 'cause you kind of became that way as well.". Hikers pass through a rock tunnel behind Tunnel Falls on the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, as the trail reopens more than three years after the Eagle Creek fire.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian. Arnold says there was no murder and that he can prove Rhonda's death was an accident. Some berries along the way. Landy quickly became like a mother to his daughter. No shade on most of the trail since all the trees are burned. Kayakers take the plunge through some rapids far below. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. "Up until that point she's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h . Tenas campsite does not exist anymore as a heads up. That's why we're here," said Jackson. You'll get a view to Grand Union Falls down on Eagle Creek; these falls are just below the confluence of the East and West Forks of Eagle Creek. Deputy DeHaven: I believe that it's most likely or most probable that she was pushed. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. Get in the right lane before entering the tunnel. Be very careful when passing others on the trail here. Julia Simmons [looking at document]: Well, I see it here, so I must've done it. Then 82-foot Metlako Falls spouts on Eagle Creek itself, where it makes a tight turn east. The PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) has done a magnificent job in restoring the trail, and the tread is in excellent shape. This used to be an absolute paradise. DO NOT try and use the trail by WyEast as a way to loop it back. Now retired, Tiffany was the lead detective following Rhonda Casto's death in 2009. From Cascade Locks, OR: Travel west on Interstate 84 approximately 3 miles to Bonneville Dam exit #40 (there is no westbound exit #41). Suddenly, a startling new chapter in this case begins as the motion to dismiss hearing continues. That's what responsible parents do. Although named in open court, "48 Hours" has chosen not to name Simmons' granddaughter. But Simmons says that doesn't really sound like her daughter. Nichols would soon find out for himself, when there was an unexpected knock on his bedroom door. Thankfully, in some sketchy areas a cable has been bolted to the cliff wall to hang on to while hiking. Thank you. He wanted to write a book. Van Sant asked. "Rhonda's family claims that you were not grieving," Van Sant noted to Nichols. She was my rock, my sidekick, my everything," Simmons told Van Sant. Authorities declined to declare the death an accident, but Stephen Nichols was not charged with any crime. There is more snow the further in you go, but we didn't need spikes even though we brought them. Along much of this hike you will follow a narrow path along basalt cliffs towering above a narrow canyon below holding Eagle Creek. Photos (3,454) Directions. The caveat is that the trail in many sections was blasted out of the basalt cliff faces by the 1915 crews that constructed it in conjunction with the work on the Historic Columbia River Highway. If you're day hiking, you can turn around here. The next set of campsites, at . Check out this 11.9-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. Dec. 18th 2022 to Tunnel Falls In places the trail is narrow, and you need to take care when passing others. But there's a problem -- something that could throw the entire case into doubt. Soon, you'll come to the Punch Bowl Falls overlook, where you can view Punch Bowl Falls spouting into its circular amphitheater and magnificent deep pool below. And she's like, 'Hi. Rhonda's mom, who had moved out of the condo, had been babysitting the couple's 9- month-old daughter. And I just immediately fell in love with her," said Nichols. Gerry Tiffany: Pretty much the next morning. "She said he'd been kinda buggin' her to go hiking for like two or three weeks--like a month," Simmons said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Jackson says his email to the prosecutor is something any journalist might do. Van Sant asked. The vast majority of trees that were killed in the fire are still standing with weakened root structures that means they do fall over pretty regularly, said Karen Davis, spokeswoman for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This is still the same scenic trail it has always been - all the same waterfalls! Beautiful hike this morning; passed some others but trail not overly crowded. Immediately off the exit at the stop sign, take a right and continue down Eagle Creek Lane past the Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery, keeping right down Eagle Creek Loop which ends at the trailhead. Cliff jumping off of Punch Bowl Falls is not permitted. "Accidents happen, and you wanna leave your family better off if you pass unexpectedly. You are risking your life to save mine,'" Meads recalled. The Eagle Creek Trail is the most popular trail in the Columbia Gorge. Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike - Oregon Hikers 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. And I'm like, 'Yeah, that's -'".