Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
I just wanted to clarify that not only is Wahtum campground closed, there is no road access - the road is closed way down below where it turns off. Nearest access to Wahtum Lake is from Rainy or Lost Lakes. I know somebody who was considering hiking the PCT from Timberline to Wahtum, so I called to check for them.
- MarkInTheDark
- Posts: 220
- Joined: August 11th, 2008, 3:58 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
Grrrrrrrrrrr!
- MarkInTheDark
- Posts: 220
- Joined: August 11th, 2008, 3:58 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
Grrrrrrrrrrr! man I miss those trails...
Last edited by MarkInTheDark on August 19th, 2017, 5:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
You can still hike at Wahtum Lake, via Herman Creek from the Columbia, from Rainy Lake, etc.MarkInTheDark wrote:Grrrrrrrrrrr! man I miss those trails...
- MarkInTheDark
- Posts: 220
- Joined: August 11th, 2008, 3:58 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
yes... I've gotta make the big choice! Haven't done Herman Creek in a while!
-
- Posts: 194
- Joined: June 3rd, 2011, 10:17 am
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
Latest info from Inciweb. Not good news.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5403/38743/
Based on the latest map (update 08/17, but I could not figure out how to link it), it looks like the fire now extends from Tunnel Falls to 7.5 mile camp, and largely west from there.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5403/38743/
Based on the latest map (update 08/17, but I could not figure out how to link it), it looks like the fire now extends from Tunnel Falls to 7.5 mile camp, and largely west from there.
-
- Posts: 529
- Joined: May 11th, 2015, 8:41 pm
- Location: Troutdale
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
They're saying the new fire is 1 mile from the trailhead. That would mean people stuck at Punchbowl, where I'd expect a ton of people today, even by late afternoon. But the only reference I saw to evacuating hikers was 16 people they had evactuated to & held at Tunnel Falls--right into the other fire? Super confused, super upset.
Just freakin' RAIN already!
ed: updating now to say 140 people trapped. worst place, worst time
Just freakin' RAIN already!
ed: updating now to say 140 people trapped. worst place, worst time
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
The FB group Cowlitz County News is reporting this as breaking news. You might want to join there group if you want to know about this new fire!
-
- Posts: 529
- Joined: May 11th, 2015, 8:41 pm
- Location: Troutdale
Re: Eagle Creek Trail (Gorge) Closed by Fire (July 5)
The news interviewed a guy who said they heard a loud bang "like a firework" just before encountering smoke and beginning flames. Tell me there's not someone stupid enough to really be setting off fireworks in the woods, let alone in these conditions.
But I guess it's a fitting bookend to the other eagle creek fire "mysteriously" sparked on the 4th of July.
Feel for the people who just figured they were going for a little walk and a swim and now have to hike out via Wahtum Lake.
But I guess it's a fitting bookend to the other eagle creek fire "mysteriously" sparked on the 4th of July.
Feel for the people who just figured they were going for a little walk and a swim and now have to hike out via Wahtum Lake.