I joined a WTA Work Party on the upper Cape Horn Trail on 11/3/22.  Our party of ~ 24 volunteers improved drainage, brushed and rebuilt some problem areas of the trail.  Overall it was a very productive day and we almost missed the rain.  Lots of happy hikers on the trail today.  The trail is in good shape.  

This popular trail can be accessed by parking at the Park and Ride off of Salmon Falls Rd (via SR 14, east of Vancouver). There is parking for about 20+ cars, with a side lot for a few larger vehicles. There is a privy and information at the parking lot. I arrived about 0800 on a Saturday and there were 3 cars in the lot. It wasn't full when I left a few hours later, but it was pretty close to full!

Though this trail is a 7.1 mile loop, I decided to hike 4 miles (2 miles out and 2 miles back) on the second rainy day of fall. I knew I probably wouldn't get the views this trail is known for, but I was still interested in the hike. I took the upper trail 2 miles to Nancy Russell Overlook, turned around, and came back to the start. The trail is well-marked in most places and after I crossed Salmon Falls Rd, I followed the sign for the upper trail. The trail is narrow in a lot of places, rocky, and with visible roots. Most of the trees I saw were Oaks, covered in moss. There were a few large fir trees as well. The trail does widen and continues uphill via switchbacks for about 1.5 miles (maybe a little more). There are some off-shoot trails, but it looked like most were for restoration work. There was a signed restoration area with several good size fir trees.

There was a divergence where horses went one way and the trail led to views the other way. The trails met up at a hitching post. The main trail is pretty obvious, so even if you take an off-shoot, it should be easy to get back on trail. The trail flattens out for a bit and here you will once again cross Salmon Falls Rd leading into a large field. The trail turns into a gravel 'road' and then the trail picks up again a short distance later. The trail continues just a bit to the Overlook. There is a sign with a map at the Overlook showing you your location in reference to the rest of the trail. The views at the Overlook are probably pretty impressive on a clear day, but I just saw clouds this day. 

Though not too muddy on the way up, there was a 'river' of water running down the middle of the trail on the way down. It gets steep in some parts, so be careful navigating some of the rockier terrain on your way down.

I read a number of reviews that talked about bees on the lower half of the trail. I saw numerous signs about bees, but there were not around this part of the trail on this day. I saw less than 10 hikers + a large military group, but overall it was pretty quiet. I look forward to going back at another time to hike the full trail.

Privy at trailhead well stocked and in good condition.  Trail itself was in excellent condition - I think there was a recent work party here - excellent job brushing, Thank You!  Only encountered 3 groups the entire hike and I was surprised to find solitude on such a popular trail.

I did the loop counterclockwise but would strongly recommend doing it clockwise to get the road and the rougher, rockier footing out of the way on fresh feet.  The views also get better as you approach the high point of the trail so save the best for last and take the loop clockwise to enjoying easy switchbacks on soft, wide, easy tread back to the parking lot.

I did this hike last Saturday, and I felt lucky, because that day was supposed to be a bit cooler than subsequent days. I started my hike around 0915, and the parking lot was mostly full, but the weather was blissfully cloudy and cool. I chose to hike the trail counter clockwise, and I was glad I did. The full trail opened up the prior week. I felt the trail was easy to navigate for about the first 4 miles. The first mile plus is a slow, but steady uphill, but the switchbacks make it easier to climb, and there is plenty of tree cover to protect against sun. The trail gets even easier once you get to the top and the series of viewpoints were very nice overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. 

It wasn't until I made the first crossing under SR 14 and saw the final couple viewpoints that the trail became more challenging to navigate. I'm sure very agile hikers would have little difficulty, but it does get rootier and rockier as the trail descends in a series of switchbacks, but then levels out as the trail heads east. After the final viewpoint overlooking the cliffs, the trail climbs again and now the trail is basically piles of rocks. I am glad I was ascending on this part of the trail, because I probably would have sprained an ankle if I tried going down the trail. After the waterfall view, the rest of the trail to the road isn't as rocky, but I still needed to pay attention so I didn't trip and fall. 

I was definitely tired by the time I hit the road, but after that it really is only a little over a mile of steady uphill. By this point, the sun was out and it was much hotter than when I started the hike, and the road is exposed as opposed to most of the actual hiking trail. Not surprisingly, the parking lot was much less empty when I arrived back at the trailhead.

The trail is supposed to be about 7.4 miles, and it took me 4.5 hours, but I was definitely taking a lot of breaks on the uphills, and really watching my step on the rock and rooty parts of the trail. Much fitter and agile hikers were passing me and getting the hike done much quicker. I enjoyed the views and the exercise this trail has to offer, and the trail head is easy to access. 

We were excited to hike the full Cape Horn loop the day the lower trail opened for the season! The trail was mostly in great shape, with a small section on the lower trail that's a bit overgrown with blackberries. I think this is likely because the lower portion of the trail is closed for several months to protect nesting peregrine falcons, so it hadn't been used recently. It's totally passable, just be aware of the blackberries so you don't get scratched.

Thimbleberries and red huckleberries were ripe, so we enjoyed snacking on them along the hike.

Wild peas were blooming along the country roads, and we saw wild columbine and tiger lily flowers along the trail. 

The parking lot was quite full, so it seemed others had the same plans! We were able to find a parking spot along the road just past the main parking area. I'd recommend going on the early side to find a spot. 

The views were fabulous. I love the unique perspective of the Columbia River views from the low cliffs. 

We made a video of our hike so you can see the trail conditions and highlights in more detail.