Forest Service proposes changes to Cape Horn Trail
The Cape Horn Trail is a 7 mile loop hike that features some of the best views in the Columbia River Gorge. Much of the route is a single track path built illegally by local hiking enthusiasts. Despite its status as a bootleg trail, it has rapidly gained popularity among hikers drawn to its rugged character, multiple scenic viewpoints and the fact that it passes beneath a beautiful waterfall.
- Cape Horn. Photo by Ryan Ojerio.
Recognizing the need to address demand for recreation and conserve the area’s natural resources, the Forest Service has embarked on a planning process to assess the environmental impacts of formalizing the trail and adding additional facilities, including parking, picnic sites, viewpoints, an ADA accessible segment, and two highway underpasses to allow safer access to the lower trail section.
The environmental assessment released earlier this month would not adopt the bootleg route, but rather re-route sections that would move the trail away from some of the cliff edge and out from behind the waterfall, and would close part of the trail for half the year. These changes are intended to increase hiker safety and minimize disturbance to sensitive flora and fauna.
The most controversial issue is the debate over the potential impacts to nesting Peregrine falcons. Advocates for the trail claim the once threatened species are making a comeback and that they are becoming accustomed to the presence of hikers below their nesting site. Although there are some falcon experts who share that view, others including the Forest Service’s own biologist and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, fear that an increase in hiking traffic could cause the abandonment of the site.
At Beacon Rock and other locations with natural nesting
sites, recreational activities are restricted during the nesting season
typically from January through June.
WTA will co-host an informational meeting with Friends of
the Gorge to discuss the Cape Horn Plan. Details:
November 17th at 6:00 pm
Around the Table restaurant
16 NE Dallas St.
Camas, WA
If you'd like to weigh in on the issue, public comments are due November 30th and can be sent via email to: comments-pacificnorthwest-columbia-river-gorge-nsa@fs.fed.us.
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