More than 20 volunteers took part in a technical recovery operation near Punch Bowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.
CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. — A 19-year-old Washington man died after leaving a hiking trail and falling between 50 and 80 feet from a cliff above Punch Bowl Falls, authorities said.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a deceased person in the Eagle Creek drainage near Cascade Locks at about 7:29 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Another hiker reported that the man had fallen from a cliff overlooking the waterfall, according to the sheriff’s account of the incident.
Deputies reached the area with members of the Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue. Emergency personnel confirmed that the hiker had died at the scene. The Hood River County medical examiner also responded and assisted during the recovery operation.
Investigators said a friend who had been hiking with the man reported that he left the established trail and tried to climb down the rock face toward the base of the waterfall. He then fell and landed on rocks below, according to authorities.
The sheriff’s office described the death as a tragic accident. Officials said the hiker was from Kennewick, Washington, but his name had not been publicly released as of Tuesday. Authorities said his family had been notified.
More than 20 volunteers assisted with the recovery. The operation required a technical rope raise and took several hours because of the steep terrain around the waterfall, the sheriff’s office said.
Punch Bowl Falls is along Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks, east of Portland. The area is known for waterfalls, forested slopes and sections of trail bordered by steep cliffs. The U.S. Forest Service describes Eagle Creek Trail as a route through the gorge that passes Punch Bowl Falls and several other waterfalls.
The Oregon Hikers Field Guide warns that parts of the route have steep drop-offs beside the trail. Its description of the Punch Bowl Falls area advises visitors to remain behind guardrails at the overlook. Authorities did not report that trail conditions or damaged safety equipment contributed to Saturday’s fall.
No other injuries were reported. The sheriff’s office had not announced additional investigative steps or released further information about the hiker by Tuesday.