The Merc on crowds after the fire

[Bosterson]

This is good for a laugh.

Washington State Parks is bracing for unusually popular hiking season, thanks to last summer's Eagle Creek Fire closing off 40 of Oregon's most popular trails along the Columbia River Gorge. FORTY. Including crowd favorites like Angel's Rest, the Eagle Creek trail to Punchbowl Falls, Horsetail Falls Loop, Table Mountain — and the trails leading to the top of Multnomah Falls.

Quiz: which of the named areas was neither affected by the fire, nor is closed?

For die-hard Oregon hikers who think they can slip by the trail closures, be warned: It'll cost you. Many trails are closed due to the risk of landslide and trail collapse, but that hasn't stopped many hikers from wandering in and getting fined or injured.

Quiz: which of the two links points at an article that has nothing to do with the fire whatsoever?

Hint: both of the areas are in Washington, though the Merc seems to think they're in Oregon.

If anyone has some free time, volunteers are needed to refresh the Portland Mercury on the basic geography of the Gorge.

[retired jerry]

Merc needs better editors, or fact checkers

[Eric Peterson]

Gave up on the Merc and Willy Week years ago brah...

[VanMarmot]

Who knew Table Mountain lead to Multnomah Falls - or is it the other way around? Things must really have changed in the Gorge since we moved south. Anyway, while hoards of geographically confused Merc readers are milling around Eagle Creek looking for Table Mountain, you'll be able to get in a quick hike of [Oregon's ] Dog Mountain! Who needs a map or GPS when you've got the Merc to guide you?

[kepPNW]

Shhhhh! Been lovin' how few folks are finding their way up Table since the hot springs closed. This can only help!

[VanMarmot]

Shhhhh! Been lovin' how few folks are finding their way up Table since the hot springs closed. This can only help!

That's because you keep hiking up the Table Mountain on the Oregon side!

[drm]

I've already been seeing a lot more cars parked at Trapper Creek starting last year when the fire was still going. Eagle and Herman Creeks provide low altitude backpacking opportunities this time of year that simply are not available in the region. Deschutes is really the only other option and it's quite different. At least it's close for me. I expect to be spending a lot more time on snow this spring since there are so few places to camp.