Hiker dies in fall from Skamania County trail

A man died Sunday evening after falling from Lower Falls Creek Trail, which is about 16 miles north of Carson in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The fall was the second fatality at Skamania County recreation spots in two days.

The man was hiking with a woman when the accident happened about 6:25 p.m., said Skamania County Undersheriff Dave Cox.

A recovery effort was under way Sunday night involving several agencies, Cox said. The man’s name, age and city of residence was not available at The Columbian’s press time.

“The trail goes right along a ravine” above Falls Creek, Cox said. The man was about a half-mile up Falls Creek, which Cox said “comes into the Wind River there.”

Wind River Search & Rescue was at the scene, along with the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Skamania County EMS and Skamania County Fire District 1.

According to the Northwest Waterfall Survey, “Falls Creek thunders 60 feet over a fanning ledge, then spreads out and doubles in width as it falls 90 feet over the next bulbous cliff and finally gathers and hurtles a final 60 feet into a bowl.”