It was a beautiful Sunday in the Columbia River Gorge, sunny with clear skies. The family did what any might do on such a day: Take a hike in the hills.

They picked a short jaunt on the Horsetail Falls trail, which is billed as family friendly with its moderate climbs, gorge views and waterfall access. But at some point, a 3-year-old fell down a hill and went over a cliff, and his mother lost her life in a frantic bid to save him.

Accounts of what happened the day Stephanie Cohen died vary: Investigative reports indicate that her son, Oliver, tripped before going down the slope, while a witness said he was walking right on the edge of the trail and either stepped off it or had the dirt give way beneath him. Cohen chased after her son, the witness said, and they both fell dozens of feet.

Cohen, a 37-year-old mother of four, was pronounced dead at the trailhead. Oliver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries but has since recovered.

Stephanie Cohen (Family photo)

The tragedy serves as grim reminder that there are risks to any outdoor activity, even in seemingly safe places. Now that spring is making its final stretch into summer, experts advise families to plan and prepare for their outings, be it the gorge or a city park.

Sgt. Mark Herron, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office's head Search and Rescue coordinator, said families should be familiar with the trail they're hiking and pick one that's appropriate for the whole crew. "That's going to be different for everybody," he said.

Safety tips

How to stay safe on the trails:

* Don't hike alone

* Stay on marked trails

* Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member, and check in when you return

* Devise an emergency plan and make sure everyone knows what to do if they become separated or an emergency arises. Give children whistles and tell them to "stop and blow" if they get lost.

* Take breaks or vary your pace to maintain your energy

* Drink plenty of water but never drain your supply between refills

* Wear appropriate clothing

* Be aware of your surroundings and plan your approach before hiking in more hazardous areas.

* Consider bringing a map, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, flashlight, waterproof matches, first aid kit, water, water-purifying tablets, energy bars, granola or fruit, extra clothing

Source: U.S. Forest Service; National Park Service

Adults should consider the particulars of the trip before hiking with children, he said. For example, can everyone swim if the destination is near water? Are there enough adults in the group? Is there a plan to deal with injuries or accidents?

"Knowing your own limitations; being familiar with the actual trail ... that's part of the plan," he said.

Parents tend to act instinctively when it comes to protecting their children, "even if it's self sacrifice," he said. So it's important to have a basic idea of what to do in the event of an emergency.

The U.S. Forest Service recommends, for example, giving children whistles and instructing them to "stop and blow" if they become lost. It also advises hikers to dress appropriately for the conditions and ensure they have water, energy bars, waterproof matches, a first aid kit and other necessities in their gear.

Stan Hinatsu, recreation staff officer for the Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, said parents have a good sense of a child's abilities and should rely on that insight when taking to the trails.

They should also take precautions, such as having kids walk on the inside of the trail, holding their hands in places with steep drop-offs and picking them up if a situation doesn't feel safe.

"You kind of have to go with your gut on some of those things," he said.

The Horsetail Falls trailhead is about 3 miles east of Multnomah Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway. It's a popular destination for families, as was evident on a recent Friday afternoon. One woman was hiking with two grade-school age children in tow and carrying a smaller child in a backpack. And a man carried a baby and held another young girl's hand.

The Forest Service deems it "a fun family hike" on its website and lists it as "highly developed" under its trail classification system. That ranking -- one of five possibilities -- puts it ahead of only "fully developed" trails that are commonly paved or hardened with other imported materials.

Hinatsu said Forest Service staffers did a cursory examination of the trail after the May 1 tragedy and didn't see any areas of obvious concern.

"From my assessment, the trail looked like it was in pretty good shape," he said. And though staffers did not see evidence of crumbling ground, Hinatsu said it's possible that someone walking on the very edge of the trail could have experienced it.

Shane Barbee had been hiking up the trail with two of his children -- a 7-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl -- when Cohen and her family were making their way down. The 3-year-old was walking right on the edge of the trail, he said, then fell.

The 43-year-old Portland man ran after the child but couldn't reach him in time. He said he grabbed onto a stump to stop himself from going over too, and even tried to catch Cohen, "but she was gone before I could even get a hand on her."

"He had no choice," Barbee said of the boy. "He was tumbling. He couldn't help it. When I saw (the cliff), I stopped. When she saw it, she went. Still blows me away."

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015