CAPE HORN TRAIL

Roundtrip: 7.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet
Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge - West no. 428S
Permit required: none
Difficulty: moderate
Best Season: summer, fall
Contact: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia
Trailhead Directions: Follow SR 14 to trailhead at Park and Ride at junction with Salmon Falls Road.
Dogs allowed on leash
More Information:Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge-Romano (Mountaineers Books 2011)

Soak up stunning nonstop views of river, mountains and valley from one of the most prominent landmarks in the Columbia River Gorge.

Cross Salmon Falls Road—dropping into a mature forest in a lush draw. Then begin climbing up an increasingly steep ridge to Pioneer Point. At about 1.0 mile, come to the first of several ledge top viewpoints on 1,300-plus foot Pioneer Point providing sweeping views across the Columbia and out to Oregon. Exercise caution and keep children and dogs close by.

After leaving the ledges the trail drops to paved Strunk Road. Turn left and after 300 feet turn right onto a gravel road passing the Nancy Russell Viewpoint. Then head back into forest, slowly descending, soon reaching a spectacular viewpoint above the highway.

Beyond, the trail soon reaches SR 14. To continue the loop, carefully cross the highway.

Note: the lower loop is closed from January to July to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

Now following much rougher tread descend. A spur trail leads left to a good viewpoint above a waterfall. The main trail continues right traveling over basalt cliffs that drop over 100 feet into the river below.

The way continues east on a rough and tumble up and down course over bluffs and across scree slopes. Pass beneath a waterfall and continue descending, reaching the paved Cape Horn Road. Follow this quiet country road 1.3 miles back to the trailhead.

-- Craig Romano

About Gorge Guide Hiking Expert, Craig Romano

An avid hiker, runner, kayaker, cyclist, and dedicated conservationist, Craig has written about these passions for over two dozen publications and websites. An award-winning author of eight books, Craig’s latest title, Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge (Mountaineers Books) was released in the spring of 2011 to help commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Act. Detailing over 100 hikes from the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge; this wonderful guidebook also has chapters on the Trapper Creek Wilderness, Portland, Vancouver-Clark County, and the Silver Star Scenic Area.

Craig first saw the Columbia River in 1980 while on a cross-country bicycle trip from the East Coast. Nine years later Washington State became his home. From Alaska to Argentina, Sicily to South Korea, Craig has hit the trail seeking wild and spectacular landscapes. He ranks Washington State among the most beautiful places on the planet and he has thoroughly hiked it, over 14,000 miles worth. And Oregon too he has spent many a mile hiking.

Visit him at http://CraigRomano.com and on Facebook at “Craig Romano Guidebook Author.”