7AM start and 6:30PM end. "Physical evidence disappears, particularly in a rainy state like Oregon. (The Eagle Benson Trail, which rises 2,900 feet to the Benson Plateau, has not been maintained since the 2017 fire.). "I had a three bedroom condo and the other two rooms were just empty," said Nichols. Gradual incline. So this will need to be a regular hike. This spectacular cliffsidehike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. Watch social media channels from the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Otherwise, hikers can simply continue along the trail with no concern of getting turned around. 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. Mike Arnold: And was there a man following behind her? 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. A mysterious fall off a rain-soaked path. 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. ", Asked if she enjoyed hiking, Nichols told Van Sant, "She loved it. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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?". "48 Hours" caught up with one hiker who has a terrifying tale to tell. But at least for now as of November the route is clear for the spectacular 3.3 miles to High Bridge. A path leads up to some sites on a bench above the trail, and there are more campsites below. "And as their relationship evolved, honestly, did she love Stephen more for what was inside him, or what was in his wallet?" The fourth cabled section of the trail takes you along a cliff 120 feet above the creek. Distance: 6.8 miles round-trip to the Eagle Creek Riverside Camp. Eagle Creek Trail In a nutshell: One of Oregon's most scenic trails, located in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks. Restroom at Eagle Creek Trailhead and Day Use Area. It is the most dramatic section of the hike for its vertical rise above the gorge floor. "I didn't have a team of investigators there. "Stephen was very friendly in the beginning. Many water sources ! I made that very clear. "I never really knew that they went hiking," she explained. For overnight backpacking up Eagle Creek Trail, it is highly recommended you park in the large parking lot near Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery. Her autopsy seemed to support Nichols' claim that she may have been high that day. 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. One of the most popular trails on the Columbia River Gorge has reopened! Anytime you get away from a trailhead you got to keep in mind you're at the mercy of the outdoors.". The trail connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities intheMark O. Hatfield Wildernesson the Hood River Ranger District in theMt. Thank you. Ever. The trail is very beautiful, lots of falls, flowers, and berries. "To me the evidence, the physical evidence and the science shows us it's an accident," said Arnold. I love Rhonda. A picture, taken by Rhonda herself and sent to her brother, shows red marks left from an alleged physical encounter with Nichols. 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). More:Trapped by the Eagle Creek Fire, Salem teenagers survive night in the wild. You'll reach the location of Tenas Camp, the first area of permitted camping on the Eagle Creek Trail (but campfires are not allowed). This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. If you are nervous with heights think twice about this trip. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. In 2005, Simmons played a role in introducing her daughter to a man who would change the course of Rhonda's life. Tenas campsite does not exist anymore as a heads up. To be honest, initially I didn't know if she was serious or if she was actually afraid," she replied. Detectives from Hood River County, where Eagle Creek Trail is located, began investigating Rhonda's death. "I first met Stephen Nichols through the Internet. And I just immediately fell in love with her," said Nichols. The trail is easy to follow with large stretches of snow and ice. 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. 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). All parking areas require cars to display either a Northwest Forest Pass or another federal lands pass. Van Sant asked Simmons. "He started to verbally abuse Rhonda by calling her stupid and a bunch of other names," she said. "all the details that we'd so far heard, none of those makes sense with just simply sliding and falling down," said Arneson. ", "I'm the most non-violent person you will ever meet," he said. "I think there's a lotta times that she thought I was going to propose. To top it all off, Nichols met Landy Yin Yan and after about a year of dating, he proposed. I loved it. 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. Simmons says that Rhonda and Stephen's relationship had been stormy for years before that fateful hike. Asked what he was sensing from Rhonda, Nichols told Van Sant, "I felt she was into me, too. Soon you'll reach your second cliff face, also with a cable handrail. 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. Arnold questions the man who organized the dummy experiment, Deputy Daniel DeHaven. The Eagle Creek Trail is one of the best known Oregon state trails,. He pleaded not guilty. Also, you'll notice blackened conifers from the 2017 fire almost immediately, and most of the maples went up in flames but are vigorously sprouting back from their lignotubers. 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. Get in the right lane before entering the tunnel. Within this corridor, theres only one side trail to worry about: a short trip down to the water between Punch Bowl Falls and Lower Punch Bowl Falls. They had started a family, but hadn't quite made things official. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Mike Arnold: You weren't asked a question, ma'am. This is what one firecracker can do. It is not recommended for children or those with accessibility issues. Heavy winter storms have saturated the Columbia Gorge this winter, which could make hiking a miserable experience for those caught unprepared. I just love it because she just looks amazing in all of those pictures," said Colburn. Within days, Rhonda's loved ones held a memorial where her mother says Nichols was acting strangely. Again, a great photo opportunity. There is one more 200 foot waterfall ahead about a half a mile. Hike Type: Out and back. NOTICE: This trail is closed until further notice because of damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. "and you know, somebody that's really nice. She had hiked that trail numerous times before.". "And I kept saying, 'I don't even know who you are, but you are the most amazing man I've ever met. Here you will cross a high bridge just past Loowit falls and just over 3 miles into the trip. We intended to hike to the campsite at mile 4 on the All Trails map, only to find this area no longer exists, so we hiked to 5.5 and found a couple of spots. "You seemed unmoved by Rhonda's death.". "We know people fall every day in their homes. Ten months later, Nichols and his daughter decided to take a trip back to Oregon. "I'm positive that he killed her," Simmons said. Gerry Tiffany: Pretty much the next morning. Many months, the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the sheer basalt walls towering above you. Do it on a dry day above 40 degrees! He also was ordered to write apology letters to 152 people trapped on the Eagle Creek trail because of the spreading flames, the city of Cascade Locks, the Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the. ", Mike Arnold: "Perhaps it's time to see what a panel of citizens will decide?". What a pretty hike! Hikers have been rediscovering the beauty of Eagle Creek since it reopened on Jan. 1, more than three years after closing due to the Eagle Creek fire. Also loop opportunities with other Gorge trails abound. He said, 'She -- she fell. 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. The annual festival at @, Happy long weekend, everyone! Around mile 5, you enter Wilderness where a free permit is required (available at the wilderness boundary). 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? "If Stephen Nichols murdered your daughter, why did he do it?" "If I sneeze, if I cough, if any little thing goes wrong, that I was gonna die.". "The science you believe is on your side in this case?" 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. High point: 505 feet. Jessica Colburn first met Rhonda when they were in high school. Nichols and his daughter, now 5, moved to Wuxi, about 75 miles from Shanghai. It took four years, but in 2013, Nichols was ready for a new chapter in his life. Then came a knock on the door. Different after the burn but still loved it. It's just the way I deal with pain," he replied. Starting at the trailhead, pass a weir, and then follow the wide well-groomed trail above the creek for a stretch. Use this route to get all the way to Wahtum. In 2017, more than 150 hikers had to be rescued from the Eagle Creek Fire by emergency personnel who assisted them up the remaining 12 miles and 3,000 foot elevation gainto the Wahtum Lake Trailhead. Indeed, even after Eagle Creek Trail officially reopened last year, it has been closed or blocked multiple times by landslides. With dozens of waterfalls, rocky cliffs coated in moss and a crystal-clear creek that runs through it all, the Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most majestic natural attractions in Oregon. "No. But, she admits, the hostility went both ways. The small oaks on this steep slope were burned but are coming back from their bases. Meanwhile back in Oregon, Rhonda's mother, convinced her daughter had been pushed off the trail, kept pressuring investigators for answers. Tunnel Falls via Eagle Creek Trail #440. John Whaley: She was quite an attractive gal estimated to be in her younger 20s. End Point: Eagle Creek Ford. Photos (3,454) Directions. Will do again! With extremely rocky ground, hikers need to watch their footing and make sure to stay focused on the trail. But there's a problem -- something that could throw the entire case into doubt. I hope that someday, justice will be served.". 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. Download a Trail Description and Map (pdf). "If you're a young couple with a kid you should have life insurance," Arnold said. 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. 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. About two miles down the trail you will reach beautiful 33ft Punchbowl falls which tumbles into a large pool amphitheatre below. For a quick, easy and semi kid-friendly trek, hike 2.2 miles (4.4 round-trip) to Punchbowl Falls. Elevation: 110 feet. Some of those passages are basically single tracks with cables that can be used as hand rails for those more sensitive to heights. Crowds also pose problems on the trail itself. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
Melanie declined to speak with "48 Hours," and Nichols says allegations of statutory rape, or any relationship, are false. Fairly low people count, especially after Punch Bowl Falls. Spend some time here and take some photos. It wouldn't be long before the recently-divorced 30-year-old day trader took 20-year-old Rhonda Casto on their first date. "You felt a connection right away," Van Sant commented. "I could hardly understand what he was saying he was crying so hard," Stephen Nichols Sr. said. Got there about 9am and were able to park in the closest lot to the trail; the flush bathrooms there are working. Julia Simmons [looking at document]: Well, I see it here, so I must've done it. Mike Arnold has another surprise. With the hiker's help, Meads made it back up to safety, with a new respect for the trail. It is also a popular alternative route to the Pacific Crest Trail. 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. "I spend probably 80 percent of my waking hours just reading. It could potentially be a criminal act. "It was always easy to be around her 'cause you kind of became that way as well.". Given the narrow trail and the crowds, theres simply no way to hike Eagle Creek without coming within six feet of another person. 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.