Posted November 22, 2017 at 12:30 PM | Updated November 22, 2017 at 12:29 PM
UPDATE: A 6-mile stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway reopened Wednesday from Larch Mountain Road to Bridal Veil.
Vista House at Crown Point was scheduled to open later Wednesday. Its regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Some restrictions remain. For instance, cars can’t stop or park on shoulders along the highway, state Department of Transportation officials said.
What’s open:
— Guy Talbot State Park. A short trail leads from the parking area to Latourell Falls.
— Bridal Veil State Park and trail
Still closed:
— Angel’s Rest parking lot and trail
— Shepperd’s Dell Falls
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By JIM RYAN
The Oregonian | OregonLive
Part of the Historic Columbia River Highway — closed since September by the Eagle Creek fire — will reopen soon, though transportation officials wouldn’t give a firm date.
They offered a tour Tuesday of part of the closed highway but sidestepped questions about exactly when they’ll let the public back onto a six-mile stretch that runs between Larch Mountain Road and Bridal Veil.
That stretch includes access to Crown Point and hiking trails at Latourell and Bridal Veil falls (though Shepperd’s Dell trail will remain closed).
Multnomah Falls is not part of the reopening. The highway will remain closed from Bridal Veil to Ainsworth State Park.
Here’s more about what you need to know:
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U.S. Forest Service
Expect some limits
It won’t be a “free for all” when the six-mile stretch reopens, and there will be strict parking restrictions, said Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jason Gates.
“Our concern is very much for public safety and the safety of our personnel,” he said.
Dave Killen/Staff
What's still closed?
There’s no timeline for when the remainder of the closed highway will reopen, Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Don Hamilton said in an email.
There is “more extensive fire damage” there, said the department’s Kent Kalsch. The closed section of roadway includes access to Horsetail Falls, Multnomah Falls and other attractions.
ODOT tour historic highway to partially re-open
Dave Killen/Staff
Can't I just hike the fire-affected trails, already?
Don’t do it.
Many trails in the gorge remain closed, and officials have long stressed the danger of entering the fire closure area. It’s also illegal to enter the closure area, according to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Gates said if people become lost, trapped or hurt on closed trails, authorities will still do everything they can to rescue them.
But he said he “can’t guarantee that” because conditions may be too dangerous for rescue personnel.
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Sean Meagher/Staff
Is I-84 still affected?
Eastbound Interstate 84 travelers continue to be diverted onto the westbound lanes near milepost 52, which is near Shellrock Mountain, to provide a buffer from hazards in the area. Motorists continue east on the westbound lanes for 1.2 miles before heading back onto the eastbound lanes.
Workers, taking advantage of the traffic configuration, are also doing rock blasting necessary to build a section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Wyeth and Lindsey Creek.
Traffic may return to the closed stretch of eastbound I-84 within a couple weeks, Hamilton said.
Officials had closed the interstate in both directions on Labor Day because of the fire. They were both closed for 10 days, with the westbound lanes reopening Sept. 14.