Thank you WTA volunteers for completing a reroute around a steep and seasonally muddy stretch of the Cape Horn Trail. Thanks to financial support from the National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program we're able to take on this project and a suite of others in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Also thank you to Forest Service Staff and the Cape Horn Conservancy for help with planning and permitting for this reroute. It truly takes a village!

There was a trail portion under construction by volunteers from WTA. The hardest worker was Rod; just ask him. 😀

There was plenty of spice including small ice boulders, snow melt washout crossings, mini landslides, and lots of large fresh blowdown trees. Most of the trail was covered in ice or compressed snow. Strongly recommend cleats and trekking poles.

Hiked the Cape Horn Trail with friends and my pooch, Buddy Boy on Oct 5, 2023. This was my second time hiking this trail. The first time was ten years ago on October 15, 2013, not long after the trail was first opened. On that hike we did the full loop trail which is approximately 7.5 miles long. On todays hike however, we took a shortcut that begins from an unmarked pullout on Highway 14. From the pullout, it was an easy walk to the main trail and saved a few miles of switch backs. The upper trail has three main vista points with amazing views of the Columbia River Gorge. Without a doubt, this is a must-do hike for anyone looking for a memorable and challenging hiking experience in the Pacific Northwest.

I've been waiting for the right day to hike this, and today was it. It really is beautiful, although a little too popular for my taste.

Turned out to be a good thing, since I broke my arm shortly after the Nancy Russell overlook, and made the bad decision to continue forward instead of turning back (tripped on a root, nothing wrong with the trail). Fortunately, a couple of other women on the trail kindly helped me with the tougher spots. 

Without the injury, it wouldn't have been too demanding, just reasonable caution. Oh, and theres one bridge with broken boards, so watch for it.