Share sensitive information only Arnold spells out "the Jackson connection" by calling Deputy District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen to the stand, stunning the courtroom. As Rhonda and Nichols made their way up Eagle Creek Trail, they had some challenges. With dozens of waterfalls, rocky cliffs coated in moss and a crystal-clear creek that runs through it all, the Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most majestic natural attractions in Oregon. It wouldn't be long before the recently-divorced 30-year-old day trader took 20-year-old Rhonda Casto on their first date. On Oregon I-84 Eastbound, take exit 41 toward Fish Hatchery/Eagle Creek/Rec. "That has nothing to do with me, but I think a grand jury looked at the evidence and said there's enough here to go to trial. In addition, two bridges, the Fern Creek Bridge and the High Bridge, had to be replaced because of fire damage. "It turns out the reason that indictment came up is because of pressure from a book author!" People think of all the days, why would you choose that day to hike?" LockA locked padlock Jackson says his email to the prosecutor is something any journalist might do. Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps. Carrie Rasmussen [reading]: "With all this being said perhaps it is time to see what a panel of citizens will decide. Sheriff English: It could have been official misconduct or tampering with evidence, potentially. "She says, 'He's either gonna give me a ring or he's gonna throw me off the cliff.'". It was along the Eagle Creek trail that Rhonda Casto, a 23-year-old mother of a nine-month-old girl, set out with her boyfriend, Stephen Nichols, back on March 16, 2009. Besides life insurance money, the prosecution will argue yet another potential motive for murder -- a love triangle -- claiming that Stephen Nichols was in love with Rhonda's younger sister, Melanie. Mike Arnold has another surprise. There are a couple of small sloping campsites below the trail. All campsites awesome and near water. "And so that's when I decided to go to China.". Metlako Falls comes first after about 1.5 miles, though after the waterfall viewpoint washed out in 2017, the view is distant from the trail. Distance: 4.2 miles (round trip) Elevation gain: 525 feet. Length 4.8 miElevation gain 1,020 ftRoute type Out & back. "I first met Stephen Nichols through the Internet. Eagle Creek was overcrowded before the fire, and the pent-up demand after a three-year closure will likely result in big crowds for the foreseeable future. This used to be an absolute paradise. Deputy Matt English with the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, says their 911 center received a call at 6:09 p.m. from a man who had accompanied the woman on the hike. For a quick, easy and semi kid-friendly trek, hike 2.2 miles (4.4 round-trip) to Punchbowl Falls. Longitude: -121.91970. "One time she got really mad at him. Dozens of search and rescues are done every year. The route of the Eagle Creek Trail to Wahtum Lake (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead End point: Wahtum Lake Trail Log: Trail Log Hike Type: In and out or loop Distance: 26.1 miles (in and out) Elevation gain: 3610 feet High point: 3,725 feet Difficulty: Difficult Seasons: Summer into fall I was looking for a place, a room to rent," said Simmons. "A mom can be like, you know, 'Oh well, I'm biased, because she's my daughter.' Also there are plenty of campsites at Indian springs. Two years into their stormy relationship, the couple allegedly had a shouting match one night in a bar that a witness says quickly escalated into a shocking threat. She was taking Tae Kwon Do. "He couldn't write a book until the case was solved," said Tiffany. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where a cool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summer day. Van Sant asked. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The route up Oneonta Creek, typically taken in summer, was closed along with most other trails burned during the 50,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 27 min to complete. She broke into a run and, according to Nichols, she slipped on the wet path and fell more than 150 feet to her death. "The last time I saw Rhonda was at Boston's Grill," Jen Sconce, a friend of Rhonda's back in 2007, told "48 Hours." "If I sneeze, if I cough, if any little thing goes wrong, that I was gonna die.". AMENITIES: Portable toilets, parking lots. Length: 4.4 miles round-trip to Punchbowl Falls; 6.6 miles to High Bridge; 12 miles to Tunnel Falls. Detectives from Hood River County, where Eagle Creek Trail is located, began investigating Rhonda's death. With extremely rocky ground, hikers need to watch their footing and make sure to stay focused on the trail. Consider, as you enter the tunnel, that work to build trail was completed before 1920, and the trail bench has been virtually unchanged since! To maintain an easy grade through this rugged canyon, the builders blasted ledges out of sheer cliffs, bridged . Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Start by hiking up the Eagle Creek Trail 13.3 miles to Wahtum Lake. "Absolutely not," he replied. Each year several unleashed dogs fall off of or chase other dogs off of the steep cliffs. The falls convey the East Fork Eagle Creek from the bluffs above to the creek bed below, and then downstream into the main Eagle Creek run. But to the racist man with the pit bull threatening to push other peoples dogs off the trail, I hope you find some kind of happiness, because you definitely need it. About 3 miles up, hikers will encounter the aptly named High Bridge, which traversesa narrowgorge150 feet above the creek. Not suitable for young children. He does something "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant has never seen. "Um, when we started off, it was actually a very nice day," he replied. A mysterious fall off a rain-soaked path. View All Newspapers in Oregon About Trail Search the largest collection of Trail obituaries and condolences, hosted by Legacy.com in partnership with funeral homes and newspapers. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In that August 2015 bail hearing, Tiffany tells Arnold his suspicions were further confirmed by stories he heard from Rhonda's family. One key to the prosecution's case will be the credibility of the woman making so many of the accusations--Rhonda's mother, Julia Simmons: Mike Arnold: What do you do for a living, ma'am? But I just think that she's just absolutely beautiful," Julia Simmons said of her daughter, Rhonda. It follows Eagle Creek through the forest and along paths carved into basalt . But there's a problem -- something that could throw the entire case into doubt. What really happened to Rhonda Casto? After having the baby, Rhonda told Nichols she wanted to return to modeling but needed to lose some weight. Nobody southbound but multiple groups of PCT through hikers that deviated from the PCT via Indian Spring Trail. The trail is well groomed, just rocky and narrow in spots. Despite its moderate grade, the Eagle Creek Trail can be dangerous due to the steep cliff sides without railings and water crossings. Mike Arnold says, so what? Gloves Spikes Waterproof boots And it was precisely in that very spot that Rhonda Casto went off Eagle Creek trail, falling over 150 feet to her death. Arnold is talking about the condition and location of Rhonda's body. Hikers have been rediscovering the beauty of Eagle Creek since it reopened on Jan. 1, more than three years after closing due to the Eagle Creek fire. They quickly made an improvised lifeline, made literally from the clothes off their backs. Nichols cooperated with police, answering all of their questions. "Give me a sense what it meant for you and for Rhonda," Van Sant asked Nichols. Also loop opportunities with other Gorge trails abound. "I spend probably 80 percent of my waking hours just reading. But Rhonda didn't have to say a word to make an impression. The climb out from eagle creek Trail on Indian springs Trail is no joke, very steep. "I liked China. Most hikers either turn around at Twister Falls about seven miles in, at High Bridge after 3.6 miles, or at Punch Bowl Falls only two miles from the trailhead. I love you. Mike Arnold: And what's the potential crime for which you believe he's a suspect? very easy extremely well-maintained trail. "The fire opened up the views so that after a rainstorm, you can see dozens of waterfalls that were previously obscured by living trees," Davis said. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned hot in this section of the gorge, so you will be constantly reminded of that conflagration. "If Stephen Nichols murdered your daughter, why did he do it?" The trail connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities intheMark O. Hatfield Wildernesson the Hood River Ranger District in theMt. This page was last modified on 1 January 2023, at 00:10. I was crying nonstop. there are some very high cliffs and if you are afraid of heights or afraid of falling just be a little cautious. Hike Type: Out and Back. Jessica Colburn first met Rhonda when they were in high school. Soon, you'll come to the Punch Bowl Falls overlook, where you can view Punch Bowl Falls spouting into its circular amphitheater and magnificent deep pool below. "Had it been raining at the beginning, I wouldn't have gone up," said Nichols. He got a job teaching English to Chinese businessmen. "I'm positive that he killed her," Simmons said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Recreation Map Penstemon, arnica, monkeyflower, and saxifrage cling to the rocky fastness. Whaley tried to share his story with a deputy at the scene but was brushed off. Restroom at Eagle Creek Trailhead and Day Use Area. "And who's the beneficiary of that?" Traces of marijuana were found in her system and prescription drugs, which may have affected her balance. Thank you. Tunnel falls did not disappoint. Even on a dry day, the Eagle Creek Trail is extremely wet, as water constantly runs downhill over cliffs onto the trail. Bail was set at $2 million. Rating as moderate is perfect! Eagle Creek Trail, Oregon (Photo: Chris Ebarb Photography/Moment Open via Getty Images) Reach the first campsite, Tenas Camp, at mile 3.7, after passing 50-foot Skoonichuck Falls. It's another quarter mile of shady, intact canopy to Sevenmile Falls, which plunges 52 feet into a deep pool. Luckily, several hikers happened by. United States. Unable to come up with the money, Nichols returns to jail. Many have referred to this stretch of trail as the "Vertigo Mile". If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Here there is the first set of handrail cables, one of several along the trail. Not a good one if you are scared of heights!!! Mike Arnold: And did you have a suspect in those criminal acts? The Eagle Creek Trail was always a bit dangerous with narrow paths carved into cliffs above a sheer drop-off into a rocky canyon and that has not changed. The caveat is that the trail in many sections was blasted out of the basalt cliff faces by the 1915 crews that constructed it in conjunction with the work on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Carrie Rasmussen: Right. (The Eagle Benson Trail, which rises 2,900 feet to the Benson Plateau, has not been maintained since the 2017 fire.). Along much of this hike you will follow a narrow path along basalt cliffs towering above a narrow canyon below holding Eagle Creek. "So we're at an outcropping here at Eagle Creek," he said. We were hiking and she -- it was all icy and she just slipped off the mountain.'". All parking areas require cars to display either a Northwest Forest Pass or another federal lands pass. Simmons became suspicious when she learned that Nichols had taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy on Rhonda just months before her death. Trail was great. "That was part of her modeling portfolio. "Have you done anything wrong?" Rhonda Casto fell down the cliff early Monday evening, according to information from a man who was hiking with her at the time. Do not park in front of fish hatchery or along roadways or in areas marked "No Parking." There is a self-service pay station at the picnic area and the trailhead. Mike Arnold: You weren't asked a question, ma'am. The route of the Eagle Creek Trail #501 (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: National Geographic Topo. "Steve, you have been accused of a despicable crime, that you pushed your girlfriend -- the mother of your daughter -- off of a cliff. Then came the time for that hike in March 2009. Ever. Backpacked to Moss Bridge (5ish mi) stayed the night and hiked to Tunnel Falls the next morning. Theres also frequent debris and mudslides. A tree fell over, taking a section of trail with it. Next, you'll see the mouth of Opal Creek, which flows steeply down from the bowl below Tanner Butte. After you pass through the tunnel, you'll see yellow-blooming streambank arnica clinging to the cliff face. Stephen Nichols will stand trial for the murder of Rhonda Casto. This trail begins at Eagle Creek Campground and ends at Wahtum Lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h . He never doubted she was murdered: Mike Arnold: And when did it become a homicide investigation, as opposed to an accidental fall? Think about her. The trail passes the boundary sign for the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and enters a shady defile to cross Wy'East Creek. Heavy rains only compound the issue. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Many shivered through a hungry, exposed night outdoors and shared afterwards that they learned why it's so important to pack overnight essentials, even for a short day hike. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "Anywhere we went, we would make new friends because Rhonda was just outgoing and wanted to talk to everybody.". The trail is rocky in many areas and requires one to be paying attention so, make sure you stop once in a while to lift up your head to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and not miss some of the waterfalls. You'll reach the location of Tenas Camp, the first area of permitted camping on the Eagle Creek Trail (but campfires are not allowed). In total, the effort brought in an additional $149,000including $30,000 donated by Friends on behalf of its membersfor Gorge trail repair and restoration efforts. Tiffany has not been charged with any crime. I just love it because she just looks amazing in all of those pictures," said Colburn. In 2008, three years into their relationship, the couple became parents when their daughter was born. Nichols' attorney is Mike Arnold, who recently made headlines representing Ammon Bundy, the leader of the armed occupation of Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. It was along the Eagle Creek trail that Rhonda Casto, a 23-year-old. The best months to see wildflowers are April, May, and June. Many people stop here to take photos of the falls and their cool, refreshing amphitheater. "They adored each other," Stephen Nichols Sr. said. This isn't the best trail for dogs or kids. Every year, there is a story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves. Ask the next question, please. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Gorgeous falls. For a full day and adventure, hike 6 miles (12 round-trip) to Tunnel Falls, a trek that takes you into the Gorges best taste of a wilderness adventure. You are risking your life to save mine,'" Meads recalled. Got there early and the parking lot was already almost full. And Arnold thinks he knows why Rasmussen, after all that time, decided to act: Mike Arnold: There's an email that was read earlier into the record from Steve Jackson to you, dated February 17th, 2014. At 4.5 miles (name of the bridge) you'll pass over Eagle Creek again but this time you will only be about 5 feet off the water. "Six o'clock rolled around--nothing. Starting at the trailhead, pass a weir, and then follow the wide well-groomed trail above the creek for a stretch. "Attraction right away?" They brought with them two crash test dummies, the same size and weight as Rhonda, to prove their theory she was pushed. If you still feel like you still have some energy, the last two major waterfalls, both on the West Fork Eagle Creek, can be seen in the next half mile. Simmons moved into Nichols' Portland, Oregon, condo. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where acool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summerday. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Landy quickly became like a mother to his daughter. You'll get a view to Grand Union Falls down on Eagle Creek; these falls are just below the confluence of the East and West Forks of Eagle Creek. Perfect day. The trail is easy to follow with large stretches of snow and ice. Use this trailhead address: Eagle Creek Trailhead, NE Eagle Creek Loop, Cascade Locks, OR 97014. Your physical evidence could disappear within hours or days," Arnold explained. The first 7 miles are the best but the lake at the end is nice. (This is a section of trail sometimes called the "The Potholes".) Imagine adding exhaustion and weather to that situation. ", "I'm the most non-violent person you will ever meet," he said. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Gerry Tiffany: No, it was there when I left. Standing on the High Bridge, you can see down the narrow gorge and also up the creek to small cascades. And I don't know if you guys wanna use this, but she bit him on the shoulder. At the next scree slope, you should hear the alarm calls of the resident pikas, who survived the fire huddled in cool crevices below the surface. Meanwhile back in Oregon, Rhonda's mother, convinced her daughter had been pushed off the trail, kept pressuring investigators for answers. This page has been accessed 718,151 times. Parking: Please park in designated spaces only. Cars were forced to turn around upon arrival, while some parked in precarious places beside the roads around the area a decision that risks towing, ticketing and endangering public safety. / CBS News, Produced by Susan Mallie and Leslie Neigher. By the time we were done people were parking a half mile away and walking in. He pleaded not guilty. "'Cause now the most important thing was her daughter.". To top it all off, Nichols met Landy Yin Yan and after about a year of dating, he proposed. The bridge was damaged in the Eagle Creek Fire, with its floorboards completely burned, so it was replaced in October 2019, with the new version being airlifted in by helicopter. Print/PDF map. The trail was the site of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, leaving burn scars throughout the hike. She's quite beautiful.'". Punch Bowl Falls is next about two miles in, with a large viewing area just off the trail, which makes a good place to rest or turn around. Will do again! Hiked in to Tunnel Falls and back on 1/15. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 3 scenic trails in the Eagle Creek area. All dogs must be on leash. Arnold questions the man who organized the dummy experiment, Deputy Daniel DeHaven. Matt English, the current sheriff of Hood River County, is about to drop a bombshell: Sheriff English: There were multiple files that are gone. - Must haves for this season: Mike Arnold: What was the last line of your email back to him the next day? That's all he could say. I fully expected to spend the rest of my life with her. This is an amazing gorge hike with several beautiful waterfalls, including one that users can walk behind. "I'm confident that he would be found guilty.". And Arnold says accidents like Rhonda's are more frequent than people realize. "She wasn't afraid to say things that she felt or wanted to say or do," Arneson recalled. If youre heading out to hike Eagle Creek whether its your first time or your 50th there are a few factors to consider and some preparations to make (including packing the essentials) before leaving home. Some visitors leave their cars parked illegally along the roads around Eagle Creek, which poses both a danger for pedestrians and a problem for emergency vehicles that may need to reach the trailhead. She was an aspiring model, whose beauty had caught the eye of companies like Nike. According to court filed documents, Melanie Casto will allege she began having sex with Nichols when she was just 15. From there, head to another bridge over Eagle Creek (passing a nice swimming hole for hot days, with a cobbled beach to dry out on). "T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, things like that," Meads explained. Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek Trail. I have never threatened Rhonda with physical harm. Van Sant asked. All rights reserved (About Us). Now retired, Tiffany was the lead detective following Rhonda Casto's death in 2009. Eagle Creek Trail high above Oregon's Columbia River Gorge. Certainly finished soaking wet, but that's to be expected on a rainy day in January. Beautiful hike! He wanted to write a book. Here is the story: A 23-year-old Portland woman died Monday 3/16 after falling 100 feet down an embankment on the popular Eagle River trail, west of Cascade Locks, Hood River County authorities said. ", "She asked me if I would like to meet her daughter. You'll be hiking through a temperate rainforest. Arnold has some questions about the scientific rigor of DeHaven's tests, including laughter in the background: Michael Arnold: Was that person laughing part of the scientific experiment? For a nice day-trip, hike 3.3 miles (6.6 round-trip) to aptly named High Bridge, then return and head to Cascade Locks for a late lunch. Even though its been five years since the fire, there is still a lot of danger or at least things to look out for especially after big storms., More:Oregon's 'Green Friday' brings free fishing and state parks entry, waterfalls, tree cutting. Most hikers either turn. The hole is about 10-12' long and the full width of the trail, with a cliff just below. In autumn the canyon is ablaze in golden color as waterfalls drip down cliff walls from every direction, reminding hikers why this has long been considered one of Oregons five best hikes.