Hood River, Ore.—July 1, 2021 – The Eagle Creek Recreation Area and the Eagle Creek Trail have reopened following months of comprehensive repairs to multiple parts of the trail and a major clean-up and removal of debris following the aftermath of an atmospheric river that inundated the pacific northwest in mid-January followed by a landslide that took place in February.
The Forest Service partnered with the Pacific Crest Trail Association to address damage sustained along the Eagle Creek Trail. PCTA volunteers and Forest Service trail crew removed dozens of fallen trees and hundreds of cubic yards of material from the trail and trailhead. The Forest Service crew also reconstructed a large crib wall taking roughly 200 hours to complete. A contractor was hired to remove approximately 4,000 cubic yards of debris that had slid down the mountainside, blocking the entrance to Eagle Creek Trail.
“We are excited to reopen the Eagle Creek Recreation Area and Trail and we are grateful to the PCTA volunteers and Forest Service crews whose hard work and determination made this possible,” said Claire Fernandes, Acting Recreation Manager for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
For a comprehensive list of trails that are closed in the Eagle Creek burn area, go to: Forest Order #06-22-01-21-09 Area/Trail Closure (or see attached order and map).
The Columbia River Gorge has a complex history involving volcanic lava flows, ice-age floods, tectonic plate collisions, and other dynamic geologic phenomenon. The steep slopes and loss of vegetation from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire throughout the waterfall corridor has made the area prone to landslides, rockfall, and debris flows from heavy rains. Hikers should always use caution when entering burned areas.
To learn more about the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, go to: Eagle Creek Fire Story and Data.
Visit ReadySetGOrge.com to find open outdoor recreation areas and remember to be safe and to use your best judgment when planning your hike.