The Cliffs of Eagle Creek

[AlanLichty]

The trail leading up to Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge has a stretch of sheer basalt cliffs that can take on a colorful display in the fall.

Yesterday (Sept. 2) a fire broke out about a mile up the canyon from the parking area (pretty close to where this shot was taken in 2015). Another fire farther up in the hills blocks the trail in that direction and roughly 150 hikers were trapped overnight up the trail with a shelter in place order from search and rescue teams. Most were out for a day hike and not prepared for an overnight stay.

We could use some rain up here.....

 

[Zeph]

No lightning lately, must be person started.
The mid Willamtte Valley is blanketed with smoke, visibility is less than half mile. Fires are to the east and south and little progress on controls, conditions couldn't be much worse, the high ridge over the west coast isn't helping.
Sorry to hear about the Gorge fire, hope it can be saved.

 

[BarryHamilton]

Yeah, everywhere is getting way too much or way not enough rain!
This is a delightful image! The range of colors is phenomenal!!

 

[Bob Denton]

This is very good

 

[AlanLichty]

Update on the fire which started along Eagle Creek:

It turns out the fire was started by some teens tossing fireworks off of the cliffs very near to where this image was taken. The first trees to burn were at the bottom below the cliffs so the vegetation in the scene depicted above is now gone. There were witnesses to the firework antics and authorities have a suspect.

The bad news is that the fire is 0% contained and has torched a 16 mile path down the gorge over the past 24 hours. The fire jumped the Columbia last night and started some fires on the Washington side as well. I could put in a list of the gorge waterfalls that were along the path but it includes everything from Crown Point back to Cascade Locks. Fires rarely burn up everything but fingers crossed there will be something besides bare basalt once this is extinguished.

 

[JimFox]

Yeah, it's sad to see that an image like this will not be possible for many years to come now.

Here is an update site with more information: http://www.oregonlive.com/

 

[Zeph]

Tis a bad dream throughout the Northwest, back up your photos 'cause it's all we've got.

 

[Ryan10]

Damn...and to think...just last week i think Alan posted a CRG pic and i was stating i want to go. He was even so kind to give me the exact location, but now...not sure if it will be top of the list.

 

[AlanLichty]

Damn...and to think...just last week i think Alan posted a CRG pic and i was stating i want to go. He was even so kind to give me the exact location, but now...not sure if it will be top of the list.

Bring marshmallows.....

 

[Travis Rhoads]

Damn...and to think...just last week i think Alan posted a CRG pic and i was stating i want to go. He was even so kind to give me the exact location, but now...not sure if it will be top of the list.

CRG has been on my list...nearly made it 6 years ago...but still have not been. Its a sad state of affairs...wonderful images like this will likely not be made for the rest of my life...