After the devastating 50,000 acre . Eagle creek has many wonderful waterfalls. Asked what he was sensing from Rhonda, Nichols told Van Sant, "I felt she was into me, too. There is more snow the further in you go, but we didn't need spikes even though we brought them. Theres also an excellent documentary by TOPIC magazine on the rise of the Eagle Creek Fire.
Nicely groomed. Crowds also pose problems on the trail itself. Hikers should stay away from the edges of the trail, where possible, and should avoid leaving the trail for any reason. To be honest, initially I didn't know if she was serious or if she was actually afraid," she replied. This page has been accessed 718,151 times. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Investigators returned to the scene of Rhonda Casto's fall for an unusual experiment. "This occurred in 2009, and yet there's no arrest in this case until 2015. Her autopsy seemed to support Nichols' claim that she may have been high that day. You'll encounter eight major waterfalls along Eagle Creek and its tributaries, with lots of smaller and seasonal falls in-between. That's something that can't be outlawyered, it can't be confused with rumor and innuendo," he continued. Fires not allowed within 100feet of the trail during other times of the year. (This is a section of trail sometimes called the "The Potholes".) If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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.. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Theres also frequent debris and mudslides. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Travel east approximately 1 mile on Interstate 84 to exit #41 which is just past the Interstate tunnel. Remember, five long years had passed after Rhonda's death before Stephen Nichols was charged with her murder. Please consult a good, up to date map when planning backpacking trips. Luckily, several hikers happened by. 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. But I just think that she's just absolutely beautiful," Julia Simmons said of her daughter, Rhonda. "And who's the beneficiary of that?" Want to report conditions for this trail? "I could hardly understand what he was saying he was crying so hard," Stephen Nichols Sr. said. 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. "When I look at Steve Nichols, I see an innocent man falsely accused that's grieving over the loss of Rhonda," said Arnold. 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. 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. In that August 2015 bail hearing, Tiffany tells Arnold his suspicions were further confirmed by stories he heard from Rhonda's family. Please stay inside the guardrails. Restroom at Eagle Creek Trailhead and Day Use Area. 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. Either way, it's a wonderful thing to return to Eagle Creek Trail. "I somehow grabbed onto a root," she said. TTY (541) 386-8758
A path leads up to some sites on a bench above the trail, and there are more campsites below. He never doubted she was murdered: Mike Arnold: And when did it become a homicide investigation, as opposed to an accidental fall? It follows Eagle Creek through the forest and along paths carved into basalt . I just said, 'What happened?' 902 Wasco Avenue,
Here you will cross a high bridge just past Loowit falls and just over 3 miles into the trip. So that was our goal. Distance: 6.8 miles round-trip to the Eagle Creek Riverside Camp. "Then I turn around and I look at her and my tongue pretty much hit the floor," he told Van Sant. Please check the Mt Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Forest Closures for the latest information. I fully expected to spend the rest of my life with her. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Not the trails fault that people dont know how to dig a hole or pack it out. The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn. (The Eagle Creek Trail didn't reopen until 2021, however.). He was buying drinks for all of us. Also there are plenty of campsites at Indian springs. Just looking at Rhonda, being transformed," he said. Arnold spells out "the Jackson connection" by calling Deputy District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen to the stand, stunning the courtroom. If youre hiking on a sunny afternoon bring extra water since the previous shaded trail is gone. It is not recommended for children or those with accessibility issues. "Had it been raining at the beginning, I wouldn't have gone up," said Nichols. Cars were forced to turn around upon arrival, while some parked in precarious places beside the roads around the area a decision that risks towing, ticketing and endangering public safety. A user trail takes you through high brush to the top of Skoonichuck Falls. Next, you'll see the mouth of Opal Creek, which flows steeply down from the bowl below Tanner Butte. The Eagle Creek Trail is the most popular trail in the Columbia Gorge. (The Eagle Benson Trail, which rises 2,900 feet to the Benson Plateau, has not been maintained since the 2017 fire.). Challenging with spectacular rewards of amazing views! This is after you pass Tunnel falls and Twister Falls. Beautiful hike this morning; passed some others but trail not overly crowded. Arnold, having obtained the video through discovery, hopes to use their own demonstration to turn the tables on the prosecution. What really happened to Rhonda Casto? 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! This two-tiered waterfall tumbles 200 feet in total to the canyon below twisting around basalt cliffs as it does so. Soon you'll reach your second cliff face, also with a cable handrail. Take a right at the end of the off ramp and follow the signs to theEagle Creek Trailhead/Picnic Area. 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). Anytime you get away from a trailhead you got to keep in mind you're at the mercy of the outdoors.". Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead End point: Tunnel Falls Trail Log: Trail Log Hike Type: Out and back Distance: 12.0 miles (round trip) Elevation gain: 1640 feet High point: 1,080 feet Seasons: Year round Difficulty: Moderate Backpackable: Yes Family Friendly: No Crowded: Yes Falling Poison-Oak **Falling Hazard** 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. What changed?" "He had lost a bunch of money the year before. Rocky areas also become slippery after rain, or after many muddy boots have crossed over them. More:Trapped by the Eagle Creek Fire, Salem teenagers survive night in the wild. A picture, taken by Rhonda herself and sent to her brother, shows red marks left from an alleged physical encounter with Nichols. 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. "I sort of wanted a fresh start," he said. This is still the same scenic trail it has always been - all the same waterfalls! Ten months later, Nichols and his daughter decided to take a trip back to Oregon. And I'm like, 'Yeah, that's -'". But by the time Stephen Nichols and Rhonda Casto headed back down the narrow path, the weather had turned. connected to the .gov website. Fairly low people count, especially after Punch Bowl Falls. But something was about to happen. Mike Arnold: How much money were you getting a month from ___'s Social Security benefits? 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. Waterfalls were amazing, trail is well maintained. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. And thats likely to happen again. 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. Only after you pass the 7 and 1/2 mile camp will you enter an area where most of the trees are truly dead. 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. She had hiked that trail numerous times before.". "I don't know if I stepped on a loose rock or if the path just crumbled beneath my foot, but just the next thing I knew, I was, I just fell and I was sliding down the side of the cliff," she told Van Sant. It was about 40 degrees and the weather was spotty. 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. And I think she was attracted not so much to his looks, but to his what he had. "You know, Peter, the funny thing about science is you don't have to believe in it for it to be true," he replied. "Stephen was very friendly in the beginning. 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. But now, on the stand, Mike Arnold puts her credibility under the microscope: Julia Simmons: Are you just trying to badger me? It is also a popular alternative route to the Pacific Crest Trail. Acknowledgement of the PCTA's work on the Eagle Creek Trail since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire (bobcat) Spawning salmon can be seen near the trailhead in late fall (cfm) Latitude: 45.636574. Stephen Nichols says this is how the tragedy unfolded: they're heading down the trail. 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. Longitude: -121.91970. The Eagle Creek Trail is one of the best known Oregon state trails,. Melanie declined to speak with "48 Hours," and Nichols says allegations of statutory rape, or any relationship, are false. Many people stop here to take photos of the falls and their cool, refreshing amphitheater. "I'm confident that he would be found guilty.". Because there's someone else in the courtroom who Arnold believes is the real reason prosecutor Carrie Rasmussen charged Nichols with murder. People think of all the days, why would you choose that day to hike?" "He couldn't write a book until the case was solved," said Tiffany. The water flow changes during the seasons so each bridge or walk-over rocks present excitement each time you visit. Official websites use .gov A .gov
"I wasn't sure how to react. From there, head to another bridge over Eagle Creek (passing a nice swimming hole for hot days, with a cobbled beach to dry out on). The trail turns into a gully and passes over the Fern Creek Bridge, one of two bridges on the trail that had to be replaced after the fire. "I don't even know who Jen Sconce is," Nichols laughed. A stumble here can lead to a deadly freefall. Mike Arnold: What was the last line of your email back to him the next day? It's just the way I deal with pain," he replied. After having the baby, Rhonda told Nichols she wanted to return to modeling but needed to lose some weight. Here there is the first set of handrail cables, one of several along the trail. Although named in open court, "48 Hours" has chosen not to name Simmons' granddaughter. "I saw something pop up on my phone. The fourth cabled section of the trail takes you along a cliff 120 feet above the creek. Beautiful! Even in the places that are burned and the impact is clear the burn scar is not overwhelming for much of the hike. Wear some good shoes, hiking boots are best if you are walking more than 1 mile. Just a half mile past Tunnel Falls is the fascinating Twister Falls, where the water contorts on its way down. The beauty here can mask a dangerous truth -- that these paths can be perilous. Arnold wants to know what hard evidence led to Nichols' arrest. The hike was beautiful though. In April 2014, a secret grand jury heard evidence and indicted Stephen Nichols for the murder of Rhonda Casto. Waterproof hiking boots will save your feet from a very uncomfortable day. Campfires are not permitted though. This waterfall is what makes this hike absolutely amazing! Respond to that," said Van Sant. "She just looked at me, and she said, 'Your daughter's gone,'" said Simmons. "He can be very charming," she said. And she goes, 'OK, well, you're missing out. Rhonda was in a great mood and jokingly she'd put a towel around her shoulders and was calling herself Supergirl. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned hot in this section of the gorge, so you will be constantly reminded of that conflagration. Eagle Creek Trailhead approach and fee station information board. 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. Dozens of search and rescues are done every year. Nichols would soon find out for himself, when there was an unexpected knock on his bedroom door. Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time. On Oregon I-84 Eastbound, take exit 41 toward Fish Hatchery/Eagle Creek/Rec. Cables are still bolted into rock walls at some points, but thats about all the help youll get. very easy extremely well-maintained trail. Apparently, key evidence, including some death scene and autopsy photos, is missing. 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. Eagle Creek Trail high above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge 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 . Use this route to get all the way to Wahtum. 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. As ever, there are a million things to appreciate about the trail, including the autumn colors, walking the edges of high cliff faces and views of the endless waterfalls Punchbowl Falls chief among them. "To me the evidence, the physical evidence and the science shows us it's an accident," said Arnold. 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. Trail conditions were fantastic. Very icy and there were some sketchy parts but nothing too overwhelming. / CBS News, Produced by Susan Mallie and Leslie Neigher. Awesome waterfalls. Heavy rains only compound the issue. In 2008, three years into their relationship, the couple became parents when their daughter was born. We were hiking and she -- it was all icy and she just slipped off the mountain.'". "If Stephen Nichols murdered your daughter, why did he do it?" Cliff jumping off of Punch Bowl Falls is not permitted. It took four years, but in 2013, Nichols was ready for a new chapter in his life. "Give me a sense what it meant for you and for Rhonda," Van Sant asked Nichols. "I didn't have a team of investigators there. 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. The two first landed in San Francisco, where Stephen was stunned to be met by authorities and arrested. I love you. Once you exit the highway, drive the short ways up Eagle Creek Loop, past the salmon hatchery, to find the trailhead parking. At an exposed cliff viewpoint, you can see across to Loowit Falls splashing in a thin pretty veil down to a pool with a final short drop to Eagle Creek. After about a mile and a half of walking and ascending up onto the steep walls of the canyon you'll come to the Metlako Falls side trail. Gloves Spikes Waterproof boots Length: 4.4 miles round-trip to Punchbowl Falls; 6.6 miles to High Bridge; 12 miles to Tunnel Falls. "Steve, you have been accused of a despicable crime, that you pushed your girlfriend -- the mother of your daughter -- off of a cliff. The trail passes behind the 172-foot plunge through a tunnel carved into the rock, emerging beside the spray on the other side. But Rhonda didn't have to say a word to make an impression. Landy quickly became like a mother to his daughter. I love Rhonda. Gorge trails, like Angels Rest, came online quickly and it appeared that Eagle Creek and others might be back up by spring 2020. I was crying nonstop. Eagle Creek Trail high above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge. Mike Arnold: And did you have a suspect in those criminal acts? 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. And then I go to the shower, cry a little bit over my daughter. Rasmussen told "48 Hours" she will not discuss this case until it goes to trial. 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. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! Got there about 9am and were able to park in the closest lot to the trail; the flush bathrooms there are working. Mike Arnold has another surprise. Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. Carrie Rasmussen: Objection! Sheriff English: It could have been official misconduct or tampering with evidence, potentially. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Office
"Have you done anything wrong?" Wow what a gorgeous hike! The burnt areas are still unsightly, but beginning to recover. READ MORE: Hikers return to Eagle Creek Trail, as one of Oregons best hikes reopens, Hikers return to the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, more than three years after the trail closed due to the Eagle Creek fire.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian. 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. The trail crosses a rocky wash above thickets of willow on the creek, and tiger lilies bloom at the trail verge in early summer. Natural hazards: Downed trees and landslides may be possible on the trail. 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. To maintain an easy grade through this rugged canyon, the builders blasted ledges out of sheer cliffs, bridged . "I can tell that -- based on the injuries that she has, she -- she landed predominantly on her legs and her pelvis," Young testified. 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. 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. "I liked China. She was learning to play the piano She loved it. 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 . Around milepost 5, hikers must register and issue themselves a permit. Day passes can be purchased on site for $5 per vehicle. 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. Check out this 11.9-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. 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. He wanted to write a book. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where acool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summerday. Get in the right lane before entering the tunnel. Fair amount of people at Wahtum Lake, but it was a weekend so that was expected. 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. Along much of this hike you will follow a narrow path along basalt cliffs towering above a narrow canyon below holding Eagle Creek. AMENITIES: Portable toilets, parking lots. One of the most popular backpacking trails; there are multiple camping sites along the trail. From Portland, OR: Travel east on Interstate 84 to exit #41 which is just past the interstate tunnel. When I'm really, really sad, I just -- I close down. Length 4.8 miElevation gain 1,020 ftRoute type Out & back. "You don't think about your friend's name being said and saying that she has died by falling off a cliff," Brandi Arneson said in tears. You'll reach the top of Twister Falls, with its necktie "crossover" of two streams of water. "She says, 'He's either gonna give me a ring or he's gonna throw me off the cliff.'". Print/PDF map. Recreation Map 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. Please also be mindful of your pets and be sure to wear proper footwear. 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. 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. Trail was great. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. 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. Some berries along the way. But I've never physically hurt anyone.". Then you'll pass under a cliff face to reach the junction with the Eagle Benson Trail #434. And she's like, 'Hi. The next 6 to the lake was nice but lower payoff. If youre heading out to hike Eagle Creek whether its your first time or your 50th there are a few factors to consider and some preparations to make (including packing the essentials) before leaving home. 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.