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. Ten months later, Nichols and his daughter decided to take a trip back to Oregon. 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 Creek Trail is the most popular trail in the Columbia Gorge. Be very careful when passing others on the trail here. This is still the same scenic trail it has always been - all the same waterfalls! A bridge marks the beginning of the Eagle Creek Trail, just past the parking area at the trailhead. Cliff jumping off of Punch Bowl Falls is not permitted. "If you're a young couple with a kid you should have life insurance," Arnold said. History: Built in the 1910s to accompany the opening of the Columbia River Highway, the Eagle Creek Trail was blasted out the cliffs . 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. "I never heard her say that. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. "I first met Stephen Nichols through the Internet. ( Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time. "Had it been raining at the beginning, I wouldn't have gone up," said Nichols. This is one of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge and can be a crowded experience on summer weekends. Please enter valid email address to continue. "He goes, 'Rhonda's dead.' To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. "Then I turn around and I look at her and my tongue pretty much hit the floor," he told Van Sant. "I somehow grabbed onto a root," she said. 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. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB. Is that what you're trying to do? 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 think I've ever threatened anybody with physical harm," said Nichols. Carrie Rasmussen [reading]: "With all this being said perhaps it is time to see what a panel of citizens will decide. What changed?" 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? 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 Challenging with spectacular rewards of amazing views! There were showers from time to time and the trail was damp. Traces of marijuana were found in her system and prescription drugs, which may have affected her balance. A stumble here can lead to a deadly freefall. A picture, taken by Rhonda herself and sent to her brother, shows red marks left from an alleged physical encounter with Nichols. 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. website belongs to an official government organization in the "Do you think that's a true statement?" "Magical moment. "Everything about her was impressive. Van Sant asked. "I think it's one of the best things you can do is just to go on a long hike. (7mi in) Just down the trail nearing 4 miles you'll pass a campsite area called Tenas Camp. 2023 www.statesmanjournal.com. Get in the right lane before entering the tunnel. Mike Arnold: Did you steal ___'s Social Security benefits? 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. ", "She asked me if I would like to meet her daughter. 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. Please. 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? "He couldn't write a book until the case was solved," said Tiffany. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hikers will find four primary waterfalls along the first seven miles of the trail though during the rainy season dozens of seasonal waterfalls flow off the cliffs into Eagle Creek. I think it was Mike Arnold: It was because of the pressure put on you by Steve Jackson. He said, 'She -- she fell. "'Cause now the most important thing was her daughter.". Fair amount of people at Wahtum Lake, but it was a weekend so that was expected. "I kept calling and asking why anything -- nothing was happening," said Simmons. You'll soon reach Wy'East Camp, where the former campsites along the trail have been decommissioned and staked out with "Site Restoration" signs. Nichols and Rhonda each had a policy on the other for the same amount of money. "One time she got really mad at him. Jessica Colburn first met Rhonda when they were in high school. 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?". Conifers at the bottom of the canyon survived the fire with a full canopy, but you'll pass through a scorched area where fireweed, thimbleberry, poison oak, and ocean spray flourish. "and you know, somebody that's really nice. Day passes can be purchased on site for $5 per vehicle. Julia Simmons [looking at document]: Well, I see it here, so I must've done it. 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. When I'm really, really sad, I just -- I close down. Eagle creek has many wonderful waterfalls. Little succulent-leaved stonecrop plants bloom here in late spring. "Um, when we started off, it was actually a very nice day," he replied. She was my rock, my sidekick, my everything," Simmons told Van Sant. Ask the next question, please. "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. 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. Eagle Creek Trail in Columbia River Gorge reopens 3 years after devastating wildfire The U.S. Forest Service reopened the trail on Dec. 28. With no cell phone signal, he returned to the trail parking lot and called 911. The trail is easy to follow with large stretches of snow and ice. But ultimately, does Simmons' confession of taking her granddaughter's checks really tarnish all of her testimony in the case of her beloved Rhonda? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock "Give me a sense what it meant for you and for Rhonda," Van Sant asked Nichols. Within days, Rhonda's loved ones held a memorial where her mother says Nichols was acting strangely. "I spend probably 80 percent of my waking hours just reading. More:Trapped by the Eagle Creek Fire, Salem teenagers survive night in the wild. And knowing that you're never getting back to your child.". Bring sunscreen and bug spray! KATU NEWS REPORT: A man hiking with Rhonda Casto says that she fell off a cliff last night. I dont recommend this trail in potentially icy conditions. Tenas campsite does not exist anymore as a heads up. "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. Everything was perfect.". All rights reserved. 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. "I was tongue tied. Arnold says there was no murder and that he can prove Rhonda's death was an accident. It was a chaplain sent by the local fire department. They quickly made an improvised lifeline, made literally from the clothes off their backs. The steep slopes above you are composed of conglomerates from the Eagle Creek Formation, sedimentary deposits laid down by the ancient Columbia River millions of years before the Columbia River Basalt Flows. LockA locked padlock Melanie declined to speak with "48 Hours," and Nichols says allegations of statutory rape, or any relationship, are false. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. It would be the last hike of her life. 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. Trail was in good shape. Aside from having proper footwear, maintaining physical awareness is key. It is quite popular with easy vehicle access at the trailhead, so plan to see a lot of other hikers and is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. But at least for now as of November the route is clear for the spectacular 3.3 miles to High Bridge. Some brave trail runners present! Parking: Please park in designated spaces only. And thats likely to happen again. Mike Arnold: What is your opinion about whether or not Miss Casto was pushed? Length 4.8 miElevation gain 1,020 ftRoute type Out & back. "Accidents happen, and you wanna leave your family better off if you pass unexpectedly. "I had a three bedroom condo and the other two rooms were just empty," said Nichols. Penstemon, arnica, monkeyflower, and saxifrage cling to the rocky fastness. Investigators believe that's not true. "It turns out the reason that indictment came up is because of pressure from a book author!" "I don't know," he replied. Be cautious on the upcoming trail as it is well over 100 feet above the river below and can be narrow. I have never threatened Rhonda with physical harm. Hikers were out on a soggy Monday, excited to explore. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management: National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required; fee kiosk at the trailhead, Restrooms, picnic tables, information kiosk, nearby campground, Limited parking; if lot is full, go back to the. The primary parking area is at the trailhead itself, with room for about two dozen vehicles. "I went over to Julia's room and I'm like, 'Your daughter is just incredibly beautiful.' said Colburn. To be honest, initially I didn't know if she was serious or if she was actually afraid," she replied. 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 .