Within 60 seconds of the Mountain News arriving at Albion Falls Friday afternoon, four people could be seen climbing over plastic snow fence and onto the fenced-off staircase to get down into the gorge.

The stairs had been closed off with chainlink fence at the top and bottom Wednesday, part of the city’s effort to keep people out of precarious situations around the popular east Mountain site following two deaths and numerous rescue calls there in the past year.

While that fencing was being put in place, numerous people scampered down a path about 20 feet away to get into the gorge. 

On Friday, the city put up the temporary plastic fencing in three areas where there was no permanent fence to keep people from trying to get to the base of the falls.

It wants to direct people to two viewing platforms on the north side of the gorge rather than use unmarked trails and paths that lead to the base on the south side. It also wants to deter people from going down the steep bank near the platforms.

In a press release, the city noted “waterfalls and other edges along the escarpment can be dangerous and should be treated as such. Residents and visitors should exercise caution, stick to safe viewing areas, respect the posted signage and check out the falls from the viewing platforms.”

Permanent fencing is expected to be put in place next week.