Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
A quarter to half a mile upstream from the bridge after the junction with Wahkeena/420. - the cliffy/edgy section - multiple cracks running 1-6 inches from the edge. Sorry no pics, didn't want to stand around on a crumbling cliff, you know? Sent forest service an email.
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- Posts: 528
- Joined: May 11th, 2015, 8:41 pm
- Location: Troutdale
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
I went through there yesterday. I believe it's just below the section that was shored up with gabions a few years back. The part lowest on the trail has already dropped by a foot or so. Beyond that there's a deep crack for several yards, but that edge hasn't actually moved yet. Until we get another rain like we just had, anyway.
There is room to walk past without putting weight on the cracked edge, though it's tight in some places.
There is room to walk past without putting weight on the cracked edge, though it's tight in some places.
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
I went through the area on 12-23 and took pictures.
The slid section and cracks are obvious (close up picture). What is not obvious to someone not paying attention is that there is now cracks on the uphill side of the trail that extend to the south starting 3 feet uphill from the slid section. Over 50 feet of trail is now in danger! I built a rock and stick cairn/teepee at the south end to alert anyone coming down the trail. In the second picture (looking north/downstream) the upper crack starts near the uphill side of the large burned tree and runs parallel to the other crack (hard to see unless you zoom in). Survival questionable if the whole trail gives way!
The slid section and cracks are obvious (close up picture). What is not obvious to someone not paying attention is that there is now cracks on the uphill side of the trail that extend to the south starting 3 feet uphill from the slid section. Over 50 feet of trail is now in danger! I built a rock and stick cairn/teepee at the south end to alert anyone coming down the trail. In the second picture (looking north/downstream) the upper crack starts near the uphill side of the large burned tree and runs parallel to the other crack (hard to see unless you zoom in). Survival questionable if the whole trail gives way!
Well Jim, where to next?
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
I swear, sometimes it seems like it would be safer to just hike offtrail.
- dmthomas49
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 16th, 2013, 6:51 am
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
Looked about the same today when I went by. I think all the heavy rain coming in will cause this to move further.
I think we need to change the name of one of our forums to “Off Trail Chip Reports”!
I think we need to change the name of one of our forums to “Off Trail Chip Reports”!
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir
— John Muir
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4382
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
that "cliff" doesn't look that steep
you could just jump off it and stop immediately
maybe go to the part that's starting to slide and jump up and down on it trying to get it to release?
you could just jump off it and stop immediately
maybe go to the part that's starting to slide and jump up and down on it trying to get it to release?
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- Posts: 528
- Joined: May 11th, 2015, 8:41 pm
- Location: Troutdale
Re: Slide emerging on Larch Mountain Trail 441?
An update on this slide from last winter: the main stretch of trail that had cracked and was slipping stabilized and doesn't seem to have had further issues this winter.
BUT the beginning of the section, approaching from the downhill side, has continued to get worse. A couple feet of trail are basically gone now. There's a little shelf of level trail remaining that's just about wide enough to set your foot as you hug the tree. It's really just that one step, but it looks like a decidedly unpleasant place to slip.
BUT the beginning of the section, approaching from the downhill side, has continued to get worse. A couple feet of trail are basically gone now. There's a little shelf of level trail remaining that's just about wide enough to set your foot as you hug the tree. It's really just that one step, but it looks like a decidedly unpleasant place to slip.