Cape Horn is one of the closest hikes in the Columbia Gorge to the Portland/Vancouver metro areas -- so I expected lots of people on a Sunday. Though, I didn't start the hike until 1pm and I mainly saw lots of people for the first mile or so and then I barely saw anyone. It was well worth hiking in the heat for that reason! Also, it's helpful to read a trail description or have GPS if you're doing the full loop. The loop includes walking on 1.2 miles of road on the lower section as well as strange road/trail intersection on the supper section. Tip: on hot days, don't pass by the waterfall on the lower section! There's a well built bridge that passes over a small creek and you can hear the water. Look for the path at the edge of the bridge and head up the small spur trail. It's just like stepping underneath a heavy rainfall!

Hiked the upper trail on Sunday morning. Arrived at the Salmon Falls Park and Ride around 10:30am on Sunday. The parking lot was full but luckily a car left right when we got there. We hiked out to Pioneer Point, Nancy Russell overlook, and then the next overlook before turning around (didn’t hike under route 14). Of the three viewpoints, we liked Pioneer Point the best, but really the Cape Horn viewpoint from the route 14 was best. So while it was a beautiful day and good hike of mileage vs elevation, we probably wouldn’t do this hike again unless we are in the area or can do the whole loop. The trail didn’t feel super busy, but you definitely won’t be alone. 

We were totally surpised that this trail wasn't overwhelmed with hikers on such beautiful day.  There were more cars in the lot when we left at noon than when we arrived at 9:30, but the trail didn't feel crowded.

The views are fabulous.  The trillum blooming alongside the trail is lovely.  The horse hanging out at the fence by the trail seems to be looking for attention.

The WTA description leaves out a critical element of this hike.  The loop hike is only available from July through January.  Every year a segment about 3/4 of the way around is closed for nesting peregrines from early February through the first part of summer.  This should be in the description as it happens every year.  We didn’t discover this until a we got nearly to the top and a returning hiker told us the loop was closed.   That said, it was a pleasant hike through still-bare big leaf maples and alders and a good trail.  The tiny wildflowers like snow queen are just coming out.   Lots of larkspur leafing out and there will be wildflowers soon.Lovely vistas both south over the gorge and north to the mountains.  It was disappointing though to get to the second viewpoint (about 3 miles in) and find a road and  parking area right by Nancy’s viewpoint.  Hiking is  all about the process, but it takes the wind out of your sails to have climbed 1000’ and find cars there.  Unless you want mileage, I’d recommend spring hikers just go to the first viewpoint and return.  You get to see all the vistas and get about 800’ of gain in prox 3miles round trip.