How long is Angels Rest Trail closed? Officials give update on cougar sightings

The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that Angels Rest and its connecting trailheads will remain closed until the morning of June 20 after two frightening cougar encounters caused officials to shut down the popular hiking spot on Thursday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that Angels Rest and its connecting trailheads will remain closed until the morning of June 20 after two frightening cougar encounters caused officials to shut down the popular hiking spot on Thursday.

U.S. Forest Service officials say that a cougar stalked two different hikers at separate times along the Angels Rest Trail on June 11. Nathaniel Brodie, the trails manager for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, told KOIN 6 News that the cougar reportedly took a swipe at the first hiker. A second hiker reported a cougar stalking them on the trail roughly an hour later.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials searched Angels Rest Trail with hounds on June 11 but were unable to locate the cat. No additional cougar sightings have been reported in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area since.

“Nonetheless, we believe it prudent to keep the area closed, as this was not normal cougar behavior,” Brodie said.

The U.S. Forest Service, State Parks and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are hoping that the cougar will leave the area before the trail is reopened.

“This will hopefully give the individual cougar enough time to disperse from the area,” Brodie said.