MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is urging hikers to use caution in the Columbia River Gorge this Memorial Day weekend after a 72-year-old woman was seriously injured in a fall near Upper Latourell Falls on Thursday morning.
Deputies responded around 10 a.m. on May 21, 2026, after receiving reports of an injured hiker on the trail system near Latourell Falls. According to the preliminary investigation, the woman slipped on a wet section of trail near Upper Latourell Falls and fell approximately 15 feet.
Authorities said her injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening.
Despite the injuries, the woman was able to walk back to the trailhead with assistance from firefighters from the Corbett Fire District. She was later transported by American Medical Response to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Officials said conditions throughout the Columbia River Gorge remain cool, wet and slippery, even when temperatures are warmer and drier in the Portland metro area.
“Trails near waterfalls and creeks can be especially slick, and not all trails are regularly maintained,” said search and rescue team coordinator Deputy James Monda, who responded to the incident. “Even well-maintained trails can present hazards, like loose rock and exposed roots.”
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is reminding hikers to take extra precautions when visiting the Gorge, including:
- Wearing sturdy hiking boots with good traction
- Using hiking poles on uneven terrain
- Carrying appropriate gear and preparing for rapidly changing weather conditions
- Staying off closed trails and obeying posted signs
- Using caution around waterfalls, steep drop-offs and wet surfaces
As more visitors head to the Columbia River Gorge during the holiday weekend, officials are also encouraging hikers to plan ahead, carry the 10 hiking essentials and remember that trail conditions in the Gorge can differ significantly from surrounding areas.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Corbett Fire District and American Medical Response for assisting with the rescue and medical response.
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