Whoa, Nellie!

ay, March 13, a commuter – let’s call him 37 Ephrata Man (37EM) – decided he’d try a new off-the-grid, so to speak, alternate from Leavenworth to his home in Ephrata. The standard route via U.S. 2 and State Route 28 is just over 72 miles and takes about 2.5 hours. So far so good.
But there are shortcuts.
One is Douglas Creek Road via Palisades that bypasses Quincy as a (theoretically) faster, more direct way home, right?
That might be the case if the Douglas Creek Road was in drivable condition, which it was not, according to a report from the Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal.
DC deputies responded to a call at about 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, to investigate a reported injury accident near Palisades. Deputies found 37EM at a residence at the base of Douglas Creek grade. “He told investigators that on (the day previous) he was on his way to his home in Ephrata from Leavenworth,” wrote Gjesdal. “He thought Douglas Creek would allow him to bypass Quincy.” 
Douglas Creek is washed out and impassable and has been so for years, Gjesdal’s report said.
37EM “got off the road and began slipping down a side hill,” wrote Gjesdal. “His vehicle stopped inches from dropping off a cliff into a ravine.”
37EM safely exited his vehicle but since he was out of communication range in the canyon, he found a cave to shelter in through the night. 37EM reported to deputies that during the night, “coyotes were tugging on his feet and took one of his shoes.”
 At sunrise, 37EM walked to a residence at the bottom of the canyon where he was able to call for help.  He was transported to Confluence Hospital for treatment of exposure, wrote Gjesdal. “His current condition is unknown.” 
Gjesdal reminds drivers that North Central Washington “has many remote areas with dubious access and spotty cell service.”
“Please know where you are going,” advised Gjesdal. “Carry a basic survival kit in your vehicle in case you are forced to spend the night.”
And throw in an extra pair of shoes for the coyotes.