Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

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Cascade
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Joined: December 20th, 2013, 5:17 pm

Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

Post by Cascade » November 7th, 2021, 11:58 am

Hi,

I'm not sure how to accomplish this, but it would be great if the Eagle Creek Trail pages could include a warning that heavy rain and high wind are "no go" situations for trail crews and that hikers should follow the same guidelines. It's not just uncomfortable, it's dangerous. Hiking in the bottom of any steep canyon in the burn area during stormy weather entails risks of being injured by mudslides, rockslides, debris flows, and falling trees. How can we get the word out?

Cascade

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justpeachy
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Location: Portland, OR
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Re: Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

Post by justpeachy » November 7th, 2021, 1:40 pm

Being outside doing any activity in any weather can be dangerous. Two people (not hiking) were killed by falling branches yesterday in two different locations.

The Field Guide does have a disclaimer.

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retired jerry
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Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

Post by retired jerry » November 7th, 2021, 2:30 pm

The Eagle Creek Trail is probably worse than many other trails

If it's below freezing it's even worse - slide off the trail into the canyon

There is a falling hazard listed on the field guide

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bobcat
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Joined: August 1st, 2011, 7:51 am
Location: SW Portland

Re: Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

Post by bobcat » November 7th, 2021, 3:49 pm

That trail has been a hazard many times in the winter - sudden slides, trees down, dangerous ice, etc. - not just post-fire. Hiking is inherently a hazardous activity when stupid people go out in bad weather. Don't know how we can berate people who are too idiotic to stay away in bad weather or turn back when they meet an obstacle or continue when trees are crashing down around them. Plus such hazards crop up on hundreds of other trails as well. And if we suggest the FS goes out and closes every trail every time the weather looks awful, we'll get crucified by those demanding "their right" to perish under the forces of nature.

Glad to see people are on it though, probably the PCTA. If the trail becomes truly dangerous for a longer period, the FS will close it until the mess is cleaned up. Also, their fire zone hazard warnings are posted at all the trailheads (just like the "no fireworks" sign was in September 2017).

squidvicious
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Location: Troutdale

Re: Eagle Creek Trail in bad weather

Post by squidvicious » November 7th, 2021, 7:41 pm

bobcat wrote:
November 7th, 2021, 3:49 pm
their fire zone hazard warnings are posted at all the trailheads
Exactly, there's literally bright red warning signs that say exactly that. Word is "out" just fine, it's whether people care to listen. And you can't control that.

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