The full length of the Historic Columbia River Highway is now open for the first time since the Eagle Creek Fire decimated the Columbia River Gorge last year.
Six miles of the highway damaged in the fire, from Bridal Veil to Ainsworth, opened to drivers around 11 a.m. Friday. Several popular trails also reopened — hikers can again enjoy routes near Multnomah Falls including Angels Rest, Wahkeena and Larch Mountain Trail.
“It’s thrilling to be able to reconnect visitors with these much loved waterfalls and trails, which were hard hit by the fire,” said Lynn Burditt, area manager for the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, in a media release Friday.
“Many dedicated people from throughout the region provided sweat equity or donations to our partners, who helped us bring about this day.”
The recovery included the removal of about 9,000 trees in danger of falling on the road and installation of more than 3,000 feet of protective fencing, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Volunteer trail crews also helped with invasive species removal and providing visitors with information.
Construction on the highway, which stretches for 75 miles on the south bank of the Columbia River, started over a century ago. It’s a designated National Historic Landmark.
The Eagle Creek Fire was ignited on Sept. 2, 2017, by a Vancouver teen setting off illegal fireworks. It burned for three months, decimating 50,000 acres of the Gorge and reducing well-loved hiking areas to ashes. The damaged stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway has been closed since Sept. 4 of 2017.
Due to slow but steady restoration efforts, the region is beginning to heal, though visitors and businesses in the Gorge are still feeling the lasting damage of the catastrophe.
ODOT, the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Trailkeepers of Oregon and Friends of the Columbia Gorge all contributed to the restoration effort. The National Forest Foundation and Oregon Kitchen Table provided financial support from public donations, and funds donated at Multnomah Falls Lodge also helped sponsor the effort.
“Thanks to all who have recreated responsibly, and for your patience and grace over the past year. Much work has gone into healing the Gorge,” said Clay Courtright, park manager for Oregon State Parks’ West Gorge Management Unit, in the press release.
Many of the trails damaged in the fire still remain closed, with no timeline for reopening. Check the status of specific trails before heading out on a hike — visit fs.usda.gov/crgnsa for land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, or oregonstateparks.org for trails under the jurisdiction of Oregon.
