Abundant sunshine. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 96F. Winds light and variable..
Clear skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: August 5, 2026 @ 4:30 am
Crag Rat Rescue volunteers and deputies with Hood River County Sheriff’s Office mobilized early Tuesday afternoon to do a search for an injured hiker on the Benson plateau area, about 8-10 miles south of the at Eagle Creek fish hatchery.
Sheriff Matt English reports that the rescuers are gearing up for what will be a long, steep hike to an unknown point halfway between the Columbia and Lost Lake, which are 17 miles apart.
Authorities received a distress call from Gage Donegan, believed to live in Portland, stating he had injured his leg and had limited mobility, according to English. Donegan had started out two days ago from the Pacific Coast Trailhead in Cascade Locks.
At 1 p.m. Tuesday rescuers had not pinpointed Donegan’s location; a Sheriff’s Department airplane was aloft and rescuers were in ground communication with the victim, “but the weather not real conducive” to sighting him from the air, English said.
“This one is not going to be quick,” he said. “There is a ton of elevation, and he’s miles up there,” English said.
One positive is that Donegan reportedly has “plenty of food and water, and can stay another night, he’s just unable to move very well,” English said.
The rescue joins a string of recent search and rescue efforts in the Benson plateau and Ruckel Ridge areas south of Cascade Locks, according to English.
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