A weather forecast for a day without rain meant a day for hiking. With an evening meeting on the agenda, we chose the Cape Horn Trail since it is only 30 minutes from Vancouver to the trailhead -- and it is on the sunny side of the Columbia River Gorge. Except for a couple taking their cat (on a leash) for a walk, we had this popular trail to ourselves for the day. The trailhead was sunny, but fog hung over the Cape Horn cliff tops, so we didn't get any views until we were halfway through the hike. By then the fog had evaporated and we found a sunny, wind-sheltered cliff edge overlooking the river for our lunch spot. The peregrine falcons, whose nest site causes the lower portion of this trail to be closed between February 1 and July 15 each year, called and flew by several times. At Cape Horn Falls, we did some binocular botany and discovered the rare Columbia Gorge Daisy growing in cracks in the cliff face. Several clumps were blooming! Winter is a good time to look at mosses, ferns and lichens. Revived by fall rains and sunlight filtering through the now-bare trees, they now catch the eye. My favorite was the Electrified Cat's Tail Moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus). We also identified Palm Tree Moss and Fern Moss. The approach of winter doesn't seem so dreadful when we are given these bonus days on a sunny trail.

Volunteers from the Cape Horn Conservancy (CHC) and Washington Trails Association teamed up to finish construction on a 400 ft. turnpike (raised trail bed) that will fix a perennial mud problem. Those familiar with the trail may recall the mud bog that could suck your boots off right out of the Salmon Falls Trailhead. Using funds donated by many private individuals, the CHC purchased the gravel, logs, rebar and landscape fabric for the project. Meanwhile WTA staff worked with the Forest Service to design the project and also a nearby reroute that changes a short section of trail form a steep rut, to a gentle curve with some very nice rock steps. Thank you Chinook Trail Association for letting us use two of your motorized wheel barrows! - Thank you Volunteers!

We enjoyed a perfect day in the Columbia River Gorge: a rare day without wind, sunny and mild. We hiked the traditional loop, starting at the Salmon Falls Road Park-&-Ride trailhead and going anti-clockwise over the top of Cape Horn. Along the way, I pointed out to my friends the many places where I have worked on the trail on WTA work parties. We paused for a sunny lunch break at the Nancy Russell Overlook at 2.8 miles, then continued on the loop, which is 7.3 miles total distance. As we descended, we encountered one Douglas-fir tree across the trail that must have blown down in last week's strong east winds. On the lower trail below SR 14, we enjoyed beautiful views up and down the Columbia River from several viewpoints. The Forest Service has helicoptered in a footbridge to span Cape Horn Creek below the waterfall, but it is not yet ready for hiker use, so we walked behind the waterfall. Not much water is coming down Cape Horn Creek at this time of year, so we didn't get wet. At 5.8 miles, the trail ends at Cape Horn Road. The remainder of the hike is a bit of a slog up Cape Horn Road for 1.5 miles back to the trailhead. The cumulative elevation gain is about 1,370 feet.

Attention Hikers! FOG THWARTS ATTEMPT TO INSTALL BRIDGE, HELICOPTER FLIGHT RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY - Sep. 24th. Some time between August 20 and November 1st the lower section of the Cape Horn Trail south of Hwy 14 will be temporarily closed while the Forest Service flies in a new footbridge by helicopter. The bridge was partially constructed at the Forest Service work station in Cascade Locks, once placed on its footings, the bridge will be completed on site. The helicopter's ability to operate safely is dependent on local weather conditions and may happen (or be postponed) with little warning. The new bridge will span a small creek at the base of the waterfall which is a highlight of the trail. Currently the trail passes behind the waterfall, but citing safety concerns with rock fall from above and impacts to the riparian environment, the Forest Service included the bridge in the plan to redevelop this user created trail.

This Sunday July 15th marks the end of the peregrine nesting season at Cape Horn and the opening of the full loop to hikers to enjoy this spectacular trail. Be advised that the lower section is quite rugged with steep drop offs and steep chutes where rock fall from above is a real hazard. Hikers may notice a few new developments since WTA and Cape Horn Conservancy (CHC) volunteers have been hard at work on the trail this spring. At the beginning of the trail, they've laid bark mulch to manage the muddy quagmire on the first 500 ft. (it will eventually be hardened with gravel, a more permanent fix). Also near the trailhead, volunteers have constructed the trail that links Cape Horn road to the eastern pedestrian underpass guiding hikers back to the Salmon Falls trailhead so they don't have to scamper across the Hwy. One thing hikers won't miss is the broken freezer that someone had dumped off the hwy above the trail - volunteers hauled that out in February. Also you might miss it if you don't look closely, but there is an extensive reroute in progress on the lower section that will move the trail off of sensitive habitat and onto a more sustainable (less steep grade). WTA work parties will be working there again this summer now that the falcon closure has lifted. Once it is completed it will be tied into the trail and opened to the public. And lastly something else to look forward to, the Forest Service is set begin construction on a log bridge crossing the creek below the lower waterfall sometime this season.