New Bridge Goin' Up On Eagle Creek Trail

[kepPNW]

Very nice photo, Karl, you scofflaw!!!

Would guess that the USFS has an internal policy to post closure notices when material damage--like the Tish Creek Bridge outage--occur for liability reasons. Clearly not a priority "off season", and doubt there would be enforcement.

This one occurred during an "off season," persisted through the height of "flip flop season," and here we are again in another "off season." As I recall, they did initially say the trail was closed, both on the website and on signs at the trailhead. But, when it became apparent they'd grossly over-reacted, that quickly changed to simply being the bridge was closed. I suspect that were this not an unofficial segment of the PCT, they'd have tried keeping that restriction in place. At least symbolically. But they didn't. They simply lifted it.

That said, some closures are enforced, like this one on the PCT 2000 in August 2012. Turned out there were two rangers watching for scofflaws up trail from this closure sign. They could see we had something encased in plastic, so when we left the trail sign they came down to see if we had tampered with the closure notices.

Heh, good fake-out.

[drm]

The issue is not so much, is CRGNSA lying, but internal communication issues. As mentioned, I do believe that the trail was actually formally closed briefly after the bridge was out. Presumably they determined not only that it was a very easy crossing once Spring water flows declined, but that very many people were going anyway. So the decision was changed, and some people didn't get the notice. We've all talked to people at ranger stations who don't know the first thing about snow levels. They aren't lying, they just don't know (but think they do). And they lack the perserverence of a certain OH.org poster.

[kepPNW]

The issue is not so much, is CRGNSA lying, but internal communication issues.

They would, presumably, be communicating with the media through their most "official" of channels. (Stan Somebody?) Doesn't seem to be a case of every ranger seeing a different tree in the forest. Whatever their media outreach is offering, hasn't perhaps filtered down channel? Possible. Given, though...

As mentioned, I do believe that the trail was actually formally closed briefly after the bridge was out. Presumably they determined not only that it was a very easy crossing once Spring water flows declined, but that very many people were going anyway. So the decision was changed, and some people didn't get the notice.

My recollection, as well. So yeah, likely it's not their media liason making decisions. But wouldn't you think they'd give him or her an update when they do? For the (2nd? 3rd?) most popular destination in the Gorge? Seems like a valid criticism they'd want to take to heart. No organization wants to have communication breakdowns with the press. (Whitehouse aside.)

Oh, and the "lying" (/miscommunicating) theory never was my favored one. Seems at least as likely the reporter has no idea what the difference may be between a bridge and a trail closure.

And they lack the perserverence of a certain OH.org poster.

[drm]

I saw a report on channel 12 news last night of the bridge replacement, with video of a large helicopter taking the old bridge out and bringing the new one in. There were no shots of the Tish Creek area, presumably because that would have required the TV camera crew to hike in. They said that a PCTA team had cleared the trail in four days last week, and now they only needed good and clear enough weather to operate the helicopter, and it was the last day to do so before protection for the spotted owl prevented the work till October. They did not sway when the new bridge would be installed and open for use.

They also were pretty clear that while the old bridge was closed to use, the trail was not. A FS rep said that it was recommended that people not cross the creek but that plenty did anyway. It's all odd as plenty of trails have creek crossings as hard as Tish Creek. But I guess they aren't as low down as that one.

[Bosterson]

Seems at least as likely the reporter has no idea what the difference may be between a bridge and a trail closure.

This seems on par with the media's frequent articles about "hikers" having accidents near the summit of Mt. Hood, etc. In general, I find that upwards of 75% of all journalism regarding outdoor sports has some level of confusion indicating that the either the person writing the article has no idea what they're talking about (try reading journalists describe how rock climbing works, oy...) or else the article was written by a computer pulling keywords from Wikipedia (which, all things being equal, it probably was).

[justpeachy]

Photos here: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index. ... ridge.html

[Bosterson]

Photos here: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index. ... ridge.html

Forest officials celebrated as crews airlifted the old Tish Creek bridge away, then lowered a new bridge into place, making a narrow window of clear weather on Tuesday, the last day the job could be done before October.

Whoa!

[Guy]

Forest officials celebrated as crews airlifted the old Tish Creek bridge away, then lowered a new bridge into place, making a narrow window of clear weather on Tuesday, the last day the job could be done before October.

Ah yes because we all know that Spotted Owls have it in their day planners to begin nest building om March 1st