This rugged hike is bound to become a classic, if it isn’t already. The full trail loop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn.

The entire loop is made up of two segments separated by Hwy 14; each are mostly single track, but also include stretches of road where the trail is incomplete. The description here is a general overview of the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. In some places the route is hard to discern especially where it joins or leaves a road, or where an old segment has been abandoned in favor of a different route. If you have hiked this route before, be a friend and take someone out there who hasn’t so they can find the way. Guided hikes are often offered by the Mazamas, Friends of the Columbia River Gorge and the Mt. St. Helens Club.

The main parking area is the Skamania County Public Transit Park and Ride at the intersection of Salmon Falls Road and Hwy 14. The upper trail begins on the west side of the parking lot, on the opposite side of Salmon Falls Road. From there the trail ascends several steep switchbacks, then traverses west and south past scenic views of Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock and the Gorge.

The hardest part to navigate is where the trail follows a road. this happens twice. First after a short descent from Pioneer Point. And again after crossing Strunk Rd at its dead end where you follow a gravel road south to the Cape Horn summit, former site of a large home that has since been deconstructed. The Friends of the Gorge funded the construction of an overlook platform in honer of their founder, Nancy Russell, who helped to protect the site for the public to enjoy.

It then descends back to Hwy 14 just west of Cape Horn.

The lower segment picks up on the opposite side of the Hwy. Crossing the Hwy is much safer now that the Pedestrian underpasses have been built. The lower trail continues to the west passing more cliff top view points before descending mossy talus slopes, then turning eastward. From Feb. 1 until July 15th, the lower segment is closed at a viewpoint just before the decent. This closure is for nesting Peregrine falcons. The trail passes Cape Horn Falls, then traverses a some steep side slopes and rocky outcrops ending at Cape Horn Road. The last 1.3 miles of the route are on Cape Horn Road back to the Park and Ride.

Be advised that this trail has not yet been constructed to typical Forest Service trail standards so be prepared for steep, rocky terrain, particularly on the lower section. Some of the viewpoints have precipitous drops that are not recommended for the faint of heart. For a shorter hike try the upper trail going out-and-back from the parking area to the Nancy Russell Overlook.

Since the trail was only recently made official, it does not appear on Forest Service maps. Follow this link to a map that shows the general location of the trail: www.capehorntrail.org/trailmap.html/. Note also that to minimize disturbance to nesting peregrine falcons, the lower portion of the trail is closed. In 2011 the closure dates were modified to February 1 - July 15.

Background
In the early 1980's Friends of the Gorge founder Nancy Russell was so inspired by the sweeping vista from atop Cape Horn that she embarked on a 20 year effort to protect the area for all the public to enjoy. Bruce and Nancy Russell purchased land originally slated to become a private subdivision and worked with the Trust for Public Lands to convey the land to the Forest Service.

Additional parcels were similarly acquired and transferred as the Friends of the Gorge worked in partnership with the Columbia Land Trust, Trust for Public Lands and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Today the Forest Service owns nearly all the land that the trail is on with the exception of two small sections of trail that are in easements. In addition to gaining a substantial amount of land, the Forest Service also acquired a user-built trail. Prior to sanctioning the already popular trail, the Forest Service completed a lengthy planning process in an effort to balance the trail's outstanding recreational value with its potential impacts on sensitive species such as peregrine falcons and Larch Mt. salamanders.

As a result of that plan completed in early 2010, the Cape Horn Trail is scheduled to undergo a number of upgrades to bring it to Forest Service standards for sustainability and safety. As well some sections will be rerouted away from important habitat areas or closed seasonally for nesting falcons.