Mike Arnold: Did you steal ___'s Social Security benefits? The trail is also something of an engineering marvel. Suddenly, a startling new chapter in this case begins as the motion to dismiss hearing continues. Trail of Tears - CBS News "I went over to Julia's room and I'm like, 'Your daughter is just incredibly beautiful.' "For about three months after Rhonda died I completely shut down," he said. So this will need to be a regular hike. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! Dozens of search and rescues are done every year. Bail was set at $2 million. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Just looking at Rhonda, being transformed," he said. On Oregon I-84 Eastbound, take exit 41 toward Fish Hatchery/Eagle Creek/Rec. 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. Around milepost 5, hikers must register and issue themselves a permit. The bridge was damaged in the Eagle Creek Fire, with its floorboards completely burned, so it was replaced in October 2019, with the new version being airlifted in by helicopter. Hikers were out on a soggy Monday, excited to explore. They had started a family, but hadn't quite made things official. This was one of Oregons gems, it was almost too sad to do the hike. The trail is well groomed, just rocky and narrow in spots. What you need to know before hiking the reopened Eagle Creek Trail 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. From Portland, OR: Travel east on Interstate 84 to exit #41 which is just past the interstate tunnel. Van Sant asked. They brought with them two crash test dummies, the same size and weight as Rhonda, to prove their theory she was pushed. I don't think I've ever threatened anybody with physical harm," said 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). I have never done anything to harm her," Nichols replied. Nichols and Rhonda each had a policy on the other for the same amount of money. Colburn introduced Rhonda to another friend, Brandi Arneson. "She says, 'He's either gonna give me a ring or he's gonna throw me off the cliff.'". Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The incline was nice and gradual. 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. Respond to that," said Van Sant. Gradual incline. Until the last portion to the lake. He never doubted she was murdered: Mike Arnold: And when did it become a homicide investigation, as opposed to an accidental fall? Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. "Yeah. Enjoy this 41.5-km out-and-back trail near Cascade Locks, Oregon. I think it was Mike Arnold: It was because of the pressure put on you by Steve Jackson. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "Steve, you have been accused of a despicable crime, that you pushed your girlfriend -- the mother of your daughter -- off of a cliff. Very icy and there were some sketchy parts but nothing too overwhelming. 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. 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. "They were a delight together. What a pretty hike! Northwest Forest Pass Required May 15-Oct 1 All that moisture also makes mud, and theres a lot of it along the trail, made messier with the recent crowding. Indeed, even after Eagle Creek Trail officially reopened last year, it has been closed or blocked multiple times by landslides. Every year, there is a story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves. If you're day hiking, you can turn around here. Van Sant asked Arnold. 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. ( 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 . That objection is overruled. The small oaks on this steep slope were burned but are coming back from their bases. Defense attorney Mike Arnold believes Jackson is the reason why Stephen Nichols is charged with murder, and he drives home the point with Gerry Tiffany: Gerry Tiffany: He'd give me information about Mr. Nichols. The water flow changes during the seasons so each bridge or walk-over rocks present excitement each time you visit. She remembers her best friend as simply irreplaceable. But as the night wore on and Stephen had more drinks, he became a little bit aggressive and rude.". "And then she asked me again and I said, 'No, thank you. "The science you believe is on your side in this case?" You're also encouraged to add just one more mile round-trip to see the last two large waterfalls in the drainage, both on the West Fork Eagle Creek. Given the narrow trail and the crowds, theres simply no way to hike Eagle Creek without coming within six feet of another person. "One time she got really mad at him. 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. It was about 40 degrees and the weather was spotty. All campsites awesome and near water. Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls | Map, Guide - Oregon | AllTrails No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The fourth cabled section of the trail takes you along a cliff 120 feet above the creek. Nichols was extradited back to Oregon and charged with the murder. "I'm confident that he would be found guilty.". Now retired, Tiffany was the lead detective following Rhonda Casto's death in 2009. 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. Everything was perfect.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I have been emotionally abusive at times to people. "I always believed, you know, he pushed her," said Gerry Tiffany. 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! 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. Van Sant asked Arnold. And she goes, 'OK, well, you're missing out. "Um, when we started off, it was actually a very nice day," he replied. The Eagle Creek Trailhead is about a 45 minute drive east of downtown Portland on Interstate 84. Start by hiking up the Eagle Creek Trail 13.3 miles to Wahtum Lake. Asked what he was sensing from Rhonda, Nichols told Van Sant, "I felt she was into me, too. You remember receiving that? This is one of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge and can be a crowded experience on summer weekends. Kayakers take the plunge through some rapids far below. Here you will cross a high bridge just past Loowit falls and just over 3 miles into the trip. It was heavily forested and gorgeous! Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Van Sant asked Nichols. Eagle Creek Trail reopens after three years of work by volunteers connected to the .gov website. Then you'll get a view up the West Fork to the lowest tier of 148 foot tall Twister Falls (sometimes called "Crossover Falls" or "Eagle Creek Falls"). Past Tenas Camp, the forest was heavily burned in the 2017 fire. Heavy rains only compound the issue. Many months, the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the sheer basalt walls towering above you. 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. Suddenly, disaster struck. About 6 miles from the trailhead, hikers will reach Tunnel Falls, the most impressive waterfall on Eagle Creek, and one of Oregons best. 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. This is a nice out and back hike with great scenery of waterfalls, ferns, and rocky outcroppings. But as the majority of trails have reopened . "And who's the beneficiary of that?" The PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) has done a magnificent job in restoring the trail, and the tread is in excellent shape. "To me the evidence, the physical evidence and the science shows us it's an accident," said Arnold. Arnold is talking about the condition and location of Rhonda's body. Before leaving home, you should also check TripCheck.com to make sure the roads to Eagle Creek are open, as the exit off the interstate occasionally closes due to landslides. Eagle Creek Trail - Oregon USA | Stunning Footage - YouTube Waterproof hiking boots will save your feet from a very uncomfortable day. Carrie Rasmussen: Objection! Eagle Creek Trailhead approach and fee station information board. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. "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. Stephen Nichols says this is how the tragedy unfolded: they're heading down the trail. Starting at the trailhead, pass a weir, and then follow the wide well-groomed trail above the creek for a stretch. The beauty here can mask a dangerous truth -- that these paths can be perilous. About 3 miles up, hikers will encounter the aptly named High Bridge, which traversesa narrowgorge150 feet above the creek. 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. Eagle Creek Trail In a nutshell: One of Oregon's most scenic trails, located in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks. Different after the burn but still loved it. Free permits are self-issued at the Wilderness boundary. Here there is the first set of handrail cables, one of several along the trail. 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. Once you exit the highway, drive the short ways up Eagle Creek Loop, past the salmon hatchery, to find the trailhead parking. The trail is rocky in many areas and requires one to be paying attention so, make sure you stop once in a while to lift up your head to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and not miss some of the waterfalls. "Stephen was very friendly in the beginning. High point: 505 feet. "I saw something pop up on my phone. Expect to wear your masks throughout most of your hike. 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, 'Hi, I'm --"' and she goes, 'Steve.' At this hearing, she doesn't want to talk to Mike Arnold, either: Carrie Rasmussen: Sustained means sustained. Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) Area Status: Open This spectacular cliffside hike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. 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. Woman dies after fall at Eagle Creek - Oregon Hikers As Stephen Nichols waited in jail, police gathered evidence for the murder trial on their theory that it was no accident. I dont recommend this trail in potentially icy conditions. 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. (541) 308-1700 Official websites use .gov A .gov Simmons moved into Nichols' Portland, Oregon, condo. I was looking for a place, a room to rent," said Simmons. Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon reopens three years after wildfire - KGW 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? You'll encounter eight major waterfalls along Eagle Creek and its tributaries, with lots of smaller and seasonal falls in-between. He lost, like, a quarter of a million dollars," said Julia Simmons. "And I kept saying, 'I don't even know who you are, but you are the most amazing man I've ever met. I have never threatened Rhonda with physical harm. Meanwhile back in Oregon, Rhonda's mother, convinced her daughter had been pushed off the trail, kept pressuring investigators for answers. To be honest, initially I didn't know if she was serious or if she was actually afraid," she replied. I just love it because she just looks amazing in all of those pictures," said Colburn. I have to trust law enforcement to do their jobs," Arnold told Van Sant. But I just think that she's just absolutely beautiful," Julia Simmons said of her daughter, Rhonda. Eagle Creek Trail in Columbia River Gorge reopens 3 years after devastating wildfire The U.S. Forest Service reopened the trail on Dec. 28. Take a right at the end of the off ramp and follow the signs to the Eagle Creek Trailhead/Picnic Area. He pleaded not guilty. Use this trailhead address: Eagle Creek Trailhead, NE Eagle Creek Loop, Cascade Locks, OR 97014. All parking areas require cars to display either a Northwest Forest Pass or another federal lands pass. Fairly low people count, especially after Punch Bowl Falls. They were both upbeat and happy, you know, just a zest for life," he said. Distance: 15.4 miles round-trip to the Eagle Creek Ford. And I told her, 'I am going to propose to you.' United States government. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Why would Stephen want Rhonda dead? Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike - Oregon Hikers This waterfall is what makes this hike absolutely amazing! Below the trail, on a bench above Eagle Creek, you'll see the campsites at Blue Grouse Camp. And I just immediately fell in love with her," said Nichols. Arnold says there was no murder and that he can prove Rhonda's death was an accident. All rights reserved (About Us). Beautiful! 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. "She was, like, it for me. 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. This spectacular cliffsidehike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. 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. Unable to come up with the money, Nichols returns to jail. - Must haves for this season: Hiking the Eagle Creek Trail - Backpacker The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn. ", Asked if she enjoyed hiking, Nichols told Van Sant, "She loved it. The trail passes behind the 172-foot plunge through a tunnel carved into the rock, emerging beside the spray on the other side. What Ive always appreciated is how it can perfectly set up the type of day that you want to have. Around mile 5, you enter Wilderness where a free permit is required (available at the wilderness boundary). 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. Despite its moderate grade, the Eagle Creek Trail can be dangerous due to the steep cliff sides without railings and water crossings. 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. The first few miles and really most of the way to High Bridge there is a lot of low-intensity fire along trail, while up on the higher ridges, you can see much higher-severity fire manifest in the rows of dead trees. The two first landed in San Francisco, where Stephen was stunned to be met by authorities and arrested. His condo, his money, his -- you know, his status," she replied. She's quite beautiful.'". Beautiful hike! It was more of a 30 mile hike vs what is in the description. Pretty falls. For many of them are not accessible and you only see them from the trail that sometimes is far above the river. There is one more 200 foot waterfall ahead about a half a mile. But Rhonda's mother says she knows what happened and why: Nichols' huge losses in the stock market. But there's a problem -- something that could throw the entire case into doubt. In 2005, Simmons played a role in introducing her daughter to a man who would change the course of Rhonda's life. And she goes, 'I told you.'". Perfect day. Start point: Harvey Road Trailhead. 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 . 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. 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. "and you know, somebody that's really nice. I was literally floored," Nichols said. Nichols would soon find out for himself, when there was an unexpected knock on his bedroom door. 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. Trail has some narrow sandy spots to be careful on past mile 9, otherwise solid. He was completely broken up. Van Sant asked Simmons. But, she admits, the hostility went both ways. And then I go to the shower, cry a little bit over my daughter. And she's like, 'Hi. Photos (3,454) Directions. "You were tongue tied," Van Sant remarked. Day passes can be purchased on site for $5 per vehicle. History: Built in the 1910s to accompany the opening of the Columbia River Highway, the Eagle Creek Trail was blasted out the cliffs . Those looking for extra mileage can continue down the trail, though a 14-mile round trip hike should be enough adventure for most. 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.. Tunnel Falls via Eagle Creek Trail #440.