Before the bridge, a trail leads down to the cobbled shore and a swimming hole, a nice place to cool off on a hot day. Length 11.9 miElevation gain 2,070 ftRoute type Out & back. Mike Arnold: And what's the potential crime for which you believe he's a suspect? Elevation: 110 feet. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. You take it one day at a time," said Nichols. Will do again! Got there about 9am and were able to park in the closest lot to the trail; the flush bathrooms there are working. "He couldn't write a book until the case was solved," said Tiffany. LockA locked padlock Did this 6.6 mile out and back based off of one of the hikes, Hike #51, in NW OR and SW WA by Sullivan. While there isnt much elevation gain, weve rated this trail moderately difficult for some tricky crossings over streams and around landslides, and for the generally treacherous terrain. With no cell phone signal, he returned to the trail parking lot and called 911. 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. You have an attorney who's representing the state on this matter. "48 Hours" caught up with one hiker who has a terrifying tale to tell. Mike Arnold says, so what? 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. It could potentially be a criminal act. From Cascade Locks, OR: Travel west on Interstate 84 approximately 3 miles to Bonneville Dam exit #40 (there is no westbound exit #41). I have to trust law enforcement to do their jobs," Arnold told Van Sant. If you're day hiking, you can turn around here. 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. Tunnel Falls is amazing view with the ice and snow just be prepared to cross a creek with no dry crossing. "A mom can be like, you know, 'Oh well, I'm biased, because she's my daughter.' Once you exit the highway, drive the short ways up Eagle Creek Loop, past the salmon hatchery, to find the trailhead parking. Heavy rains only compound the issue. You remember receiving that? At 4.5 miles (name of the bridge) you'll pass over Eagle Creek again but this time you will only be about 5 feet off the water. This waterfall is what makes this hike absolutely amazing! 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. Campfires are not permitted though. "They adored each other," Stephen Nichols Sr. said. Take a right at the end of the off ramp and follow the signs to the Eagle Creek Trailhead/Picnic Area. "She just looked at me, and she said, 'Your daughter's gone,'" said Simmons. "Anywhere we went, we would make new friends because Rhonda was just outgoing and wanted to talk to everybody.". I was literally floored," Nichols said. 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. Check out this 11.9-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. "Yeah. Past Tenas Camp, the forest was heavily burned in the 2017 fire. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. "I had a three bedroom condo and the other two rooms were just empty," said Nichols. This will be your best sighting of Metlako Falls as the former overlook, on a now abandoned spur trail off the trail ahead, disappeared in a landslide in December 2016. Small waterfalls trickle along the sides of the cliff, and the trail passes many larger waterfalls, includingthe iconic Punch Bowl Falls, which is accessed from a side trail about 2 miles up the trail. And Arnold thinks he knows why Rasmussen, after all that time, decided to act: Mike Arnold: There's an email that was read earlier into the record from Steve Jackson to you, dated February 17th, 2014. 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. Every year, there is a story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves. "A little over two months and she was fluent in Mandarin She had dance lessons. 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. Pretty dusty this late in the season, water is low. Michael Arnold: Who's that laughing that "she lost her guts"? / CBS News, Produced by Susan Mallie and Leslie Neigher. For many of them are not accessible and you only see them from the trail that sometimes is far above the river. After having the baby, Rhonda told Nichols she wanted to return to modeling but needed to lose some weight. Kayakers take the plunge through some rapids far below. He never doubted she was murdered: Mike Arnold: And when did it become a homicide investigation, as opposed to an accidental fall? Beautiful! Jessica Colburn first met Rhonda when they were in high school. Trail was great. Van Sant asked Simmons. The trail connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities intheMark O. Hatfield Wildernesson the Hood River Ranger District in theMt. The route of the Eagle Creek Trail to Wahtum Lake (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead End point: Wahtum Lake Trail Log: Trail Log Hike Type: In and out or loop Distance: 26.1 miles (in and out) Elevation gain: 3610 feet High point: 3,725 feet Difficulty: Difficult Seasons: Summer into fall "He started to verbally abuse Rhonda by calling her stupid and a bunch of other names," she said. Eagle Creek Trail, Oregon (Photo: Chris Ebarb Photography/Moment Open via Getty Images) Reach the first campsite, Tenas Camp, at mile 3.7, after passing 50-foot Skoonichuck Falls. In addition, two bridges, the Fern Creek Bridge and the High Bridge, had to be replaced because of fire damage. The hike to Tunnel Falls is one of the most storied day trips in the Pacific Northwest (see the long list of guidebooks below). Until the last portion to the lake. Take a right at the end of the off ramp and follow the signs to theEagle Creek Trailhead/Picnic Area. As the name implies, your path with pass through a tunnel behind the falls about midway up the drop. It was about 40 degrees and the weather was spotty. I love you. Carrie Rasmussen [reading]: "With all this being said perhaps it is time to see what a panel of citizens will decide. In 2005, Simmons played a role in introducing her daughter to a man who would change the course of Rhonda's life. Van Sant asked. 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. Penstemon, arnica, monkeyflower, and saxifrage cling to the rocky fastness. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. One key to the prosecution's case will be the credibility of the woman making so many of the accusations--Rhonda's mother, Julia Simmons: Mike Arnold: What do you do for a living, ma'am? "I sort of wanted a fresh start," he said. Hiking the Eagle Creek Trail - Backpacker And then I go to the shower, cry a little bit over my daughter. He was completely broken up. Eagle creek has many wonderful waterfalls. 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. Mike Arnold has another surprise. Van Sant asked Arnold. Around mile 5, you enter Wilderness where a free permit is required (available at the wilderness boundary). There are moments on the Eagle Creek Trail when you completely forget that it was the birthplace of one . We hiked all the way to the lake and camped! There are moments on the Eagle Creek Trail when you completely forget that it was the birthplace of one of Oregons largest and most high-profile wildfires of the past decade. Then 82-foot Metlako Falls spouts on Eagle Creek itself, where it makes a tight turn east. 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. I just said, 'What happened?' "Stephen was very friendly in the beginning. Parking fills up quickly during hot days as many people visit to go swimming in the lower-punchbowl falls area. It was a cold day rain off and on. (7mi in) Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps. Wow what a gorgeous hike! 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. ) or https:// means you've safely About 6 miles from the trailhead, hikers will reach Tunnel Falls, the most impressive waterfall on Eagle Creek, and one of Oregons best. The small oaks on this steep slope were burned but are coming back from their bases. Gerry Tiffany: No, it was there when I left. This spectacular cliffsidehike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. This is what one firecracker can do. Landy quickly became like a mother to his daughter. "all the details that we'd so far heard, none of those makes sense with just simply sliding and falling down," said Arneson. All dogs must be on leash. A picture, taken by Rhonda herself and sent to her brother, shows red marks left from an alleged physical encounter with Nichols. The water flow changes during the seasons so each bridge or walk-over rocks present excitement each time you visit. "The pelvis was essentially shattered," Young told the court. I think it was Mike Arnold: It was because of the pressure put on you by Steve Jackson. Investigators returned to the scene of Rhonda Casto's fall for an unusual experiment. CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. - A hiker died Tuesday night after falling into Punchbowl Falls on the Eagle Creek Trail, just south of the Washington-Oregon border in the Columbia River Gorge.. If you're looking for a campsite, Seven and a Half Mile Camp is a little farther up the trail. "I could hardly understand what he was saying he was crying so hard," Stephen Nichols Sr. said. Why would Stephen want Rhonda dead? Some brave trail runners present! Now retired, Tiffany was the lead detective following Rhonda Casto's death in 2009. Rasmussen told "48 Hours" she will not discuss this case until it goes to trial. Woman dies after fall at Eagle Creek - Oregon Hikers Thank you. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. connected to the .gov website. Eagle Creek Trail reopens after three years of work by volunteers He does something "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant has never seen. Looking across the gorge, you can see different layers of basalt entablature separated by narrower bands of colonnade. Get in the right lane before entering the tunnel. You'll reach the top of Twister Falls, with its necktie "crossover" of two streams of water. (This is a section of trail sometimes called the "The Potholes".) High point: 505 feet. Two years into their stormy relationship, the couple allegedly had a shouting match one night in a bar that a witness says quickly escalated into a shocking threat. "I saw something pop up on my phone. Colburn introduced Rhonda to another friend, Brandi Arneson. There are three main areas to park for the Eagle Creek Trailhead. "I somehow grabbed onto a root," she said. It's beautiful but treacherous. 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. She had hiked that trail numerous times before.". Hikers should stay away from the edges of the trail, where possible, and should avoid leaving the trail for any reason. They were both upbeat and happy, you know, just a zest for life," he said. Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. Trail conditions were fantastic. Tunnel falls did not disappoint. Matt English, the current sheriff of Hood River County, is about to drop a bombshell: Sheriff English: There were multiple files that are gone. Bring your raincoat. Distance: 15.4 miles round-trip to the Eagle Creek Ford. Only after you pass the 7 and 1/2 mile camp will you enter an area where most of the trees are truly dead. These are both worth visiting, and the trail grade continues to be gentle. Oregon's 'Green Friday' brings free fishing and state parks entry, waterfalls, tree cutting, Trapped by the Eagle Creek Fire, Salem teenagers survive night in the wild, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Yesterday, ice was melting in the sun, dripping down, and freezing again below on narrow rocky ledges hikers must cross. Just a half mile past Tunnel Falls is the fascinating Twister Falls, where the water contorts on its way down. Along much of this hike you will follow a narrow path along basalt cliffs towering above a narrow canyon below holding Eagle Creek. Arnold told the court of best-selling true-crime writer Steve Jackson. Do it on a dry day above 40 degrees! 2.4M views 5 years ago Join us on this amazing backpacking trip into the hills bordering the Columbia River Gorge! He got a job teaching English to Chinese businessmen. Eagle Creek Trailhead approach and fee station information board. Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead. He accuses Simmons of painting Nichols as a murderer, so she could one day collect Rhonda's life insurance policy: Mike Arnold: And did you say, "I wanna lay claim to be the beneficiary of my daughter's life insurance claim?". "He goes, 'Rhonda's dead.' "You seemed unmoved by Rhonda's death.". "I'm confident that he would be found guilty.". Watch social media channels from the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. After the devastating 50,000 acre . She remembers her best friend as simply irreplaceable. Plus cold weather gear But what if, as Rhonda's family and friends believe, it wasn't an innocent fall? Its also a great place to see the way wildfires impact different patches of forest at different severity. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time. 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. Turn left at the stop sign, go under the interstate and then turn left onto the eastbound freeway entrance. "He can be very charming," she said. Hood National Forest. It wouldn't be long before the recently-divorced 30-year-old day trader took 20-year-old Rhonda Casto on their first date. She was my rock, my sidekick, my everything," Simmons told Van Sant. eagle creek trail oregon deaths | Oregonlng Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike - Hiking in Portland, Oregon and Traces of marijuana were found in her system and prescription drugs, which may have affected her balance. Restroom at Eagle Creek Trailhead and Day Use Area. Free permits are self-issued at the Wilderness boundary. Indeed, even after Eagle Creek Trail officially reopened last year, it has been closed or blocked multiple times by landslides. "I never heard her say that. The PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) has done a magnificent job in restoring the trail, and the tread is in excellent shape. This area was affected by a massive forest fire in 2015, but many of the trees are still green and even though trees have charred trunks, they are not dead. 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. Unable to come up with the money, Nichols returns to jail. AMENITIES: Portable toilets, parking lots. In a nutshell: One of Oregons most scenic trails, located in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks. There are six sections where cable handrails will give you a sense of security as you pass above vertical drops. I don't think I've ever threatened anybody with physical harm," said Nichols. Just looking at Rhonda, being transformed," he said. Whaley tried to share his story with a deputy at the scene but was brushed off. 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. Also loop opportunities with other Gorge trails abound. "So I tried to call her, and I got no answer," Julia Simmons said. 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. Awesome waterfalls. Rhonda's mom, who had moved out of the condo, had been babysitting the couple's 9- month-old daughter. So sad now its burned. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "He wasn't helpful and he did basically say something like, you know, 'Why don't you move on before another accident happens,'" he told the court. "If I sneeze, if I cough, if any little thing goes wrong, that I was gonna die.". 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. PDF Eagle Creek Trail #440 - US Forest Service Even on a dry day, the Eagle Creek Trail is extremely wet, as water constantly runs downhill over cliffs onto the trail. "That being said, I'm not perfect. 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. "'Cause now the most important thing was her daughter.". It was. There are three parking lots on-site including one for larger trailers, and a valid recreation pass or day use fee is required. said Colburn. The trail crosses a rocky wash above thickets of willow on the creek, and tiger lilies bloom at the trail verge in early summer. 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). Melanie declined to speak with "48 Hours," and Nichols says allegations of statutory rape, or any relationship, are false. Jackson says his email to the prosecutor is something any journalist might do. Mike Arnold: What was the last line of your email back to him the next day? Perfect day. The first 7 miles are the best but the lake at the end is nice. Eagle Creek Trail in Columbia River Gorge reopens 3 years after devastating wildfire The U.S. Forest Service reopened the trail on Dec. 28. And they were fighting really bad and" Simmons said. Fairly low people count, especially after Punch Bowl Falls. 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. Trail was moderately busy until after punch bowel falls then slimed down significantly. "My daughter was absolutely thriving," Nichols said. The trail passes the boundary sign for the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and enters a shady defile to cross Wy'East Creek. The upper parking area is found beside the Cascade Salmon Hatchery just off the interstate and has room for about three dozen cars. Lot empty at 7 on a Friday. "I don't even know who Jen Sconce is," Nichols laughed. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Office "I spend probably 80 percent of my waking hours just reading. The campsites to the right of the trail were obliterated by two large Douglas-firs, which fell in early 2017. Deputy DeHaven: I believe that it's most likely or most probable that she was pushed. Crampons/good micro spikes are a must, there are cliff sections where the ice covers the trail and become extremely dangerous if not crossed carefully. 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. 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. Watch your step as you're hiking, the rocks on the trail are slippery and losing your footing or stumbling is not a good idea on a narrow trail with a long drop to the creek bed. "She wasn't afraid to say things that she felt or wanted to say or do," Arneson recalled. "The fire opened up the views so that after a rainstorm, you can see dozens of waterfalls that were previously obscured by living trees," Davis said. The falls convey the East Fork Eagle Creek from the bluffs above to the creek bed below, and then downstream into the main Eagle Creek run. 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. Loowit Falls is named after an old Indian woman of the same name who supposedly took care of an everlasting fire on the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia before transforming into Mt. It was a chaplain sent by the local fire department. Punch Bowl Falls is next about two miles in, with a large viewing area just off the trail, which makes a good place to rest or turn around. Arnold questions the man who organized the dummy experiment, Deputy Daniel DeHaven. This trail is truly one of the most beautiful and well maintained in the northwest. Cables are still bolted into rock walls at some points, but thats about all the help youll get. 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. Van Sant asked Nichols. 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. "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?" 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. Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek Trail. And I just immediately fell in love with her," said Nichols. Gorgeous falls. But I've never physically hurt anyone.". His father, also named Stephen Nichols, remembers it as a happy time. Oregon's Oneonta Gorge closed 4 years ago. When will it reopen? "He pushed her down on the stairs and left bruises on her back," said Simmons. But Rhonda didn't have to say a word to make an impression. I was looking for a place, a room to rent," said Simmons. Sheriff English: It could have been official misconduct or tampering with evidence, potentially. No shade on most of the trail since all the trees are burned. "I shouldn't have survived that," said April Meads, a 20-year-old college student and athlete. Natural hazards: Downed trees and landslides may be possible on the trail. Photos (5,154) Directions. We were hiking and she -- it was all icy and she just slipped off the mountain.'". This page has been accessed 718,151 times. The Eagle Creek Trailhead is about a 45 minute drive east of downtown Portland on Interstate 84. Van Sant asked. "I liked China. "She was super protective and just -- like a new mom, you know? Consider, as you enter the tunnel, that work to build trail was completed before 1920, and the trail bench has been virtually unchanged since! Enjoy this 41.5-km out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. 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. Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) Area Status: Open This spectacular cliffside hike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. Make sure you allow as much room as possible when letting people pass. "Give me a sense what it meant for you and for Rhonda," Van Sant asked Nichols. "Magical moment. The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn. This is after you pass Tunnel falls and Twister Falls. Mike Arnold: Did you steal ___'s Social Security benefits? To top it all off, Nichols met Landy Yin Yan and after about a year of dating, he proposed. The grade was easy after the first mile. 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. "He wanted to be with my other daughter and he wanted Rhonda out of the picture," Julia Simmons told Van Sant. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Van Sant asked Nichols. Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike - Oregon Hikers That's what responsible parents do. View All Newspapers in Oregon About Trail Search the largest collection of Trail obituaries and condolences, hosted by Legacy.com in partnership with funeral homes and newspapers. As the hour grew late, she got increasingly concerned. - Must haves for this season: "To me the evidence, the physical evidence and the science shows us it's an accident," said Arnold. 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. "She'd call me, or she'd be over at my house.". Mike Arnold: And he wanted a conviction of Mr. Nichols? And Arnold says accidents like Rhonda's are more frequent than people realize. I have been emotionally abusive at times to people. Suite 200 "They were a delight together. Authorities declined to declare the death an accident, but Stephen Nichols was not charged with any crime. The incline was nice and gradual. Just down the trail nearing 4 miles you'll pass a campsite area called Tenas Camp. Otherwise, hikers can simply continue along the trail with no concern of getting turned around. Everything was perfect.". Although named in open court, "48 Hours" has chosen not to name Simmons' granddaughter. "I'm positive that he killed her," Simmons said. Difficulty: moderate to difficult Length: 4.4 miles round-trip.
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