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Date of Hike: Saturday, May 22, 2010 |
It is important to note that the lower trail is CLOSED from January 1st to July 1st to protect falcon nesting areas. We were unaware of this when we set out and did not see a warning until after crossing highway 14. Less than a mile on the trial is physically blocked just after the upper waterfall. Unfortunately this left us with the decision to either backtrack all the way up the summit or walk Highway 14 back to the trailhead, something many signs and good sense was warning us not to do. This was dispiriting and we decided to try hitching for 15 minutes. We got lucky and were picked up by a hiker driving by and got a ride back to the car park.
We started out around 1pm in the rain and the trail was very muddy but still walkable even in the steepest parts. The trail is very narrow and wet foliage encroaches on both sides but the forest provided good cover from most of the rain. It cleared up in the afternoon and the views were worth getting wet. Despite being very steep in places, both up and down, it was a moderate hike. We only did half the loop and it felt far longer than the 4 miles its supposed to be.
The trail is marked with few signs, mostly orange tags. Clear guides at some important decision points are missing. This was most conspicuous at the point where the trail briefly exits the woods onto a dead end road. You have to proceed down a gravel road (ignoring the smaller gravel trail next to it) and across an open field where the trail all but disappears. Have faith, it will clearly resume once it reenters the woods at the far side of the field.
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Brian
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Date of Hike: Saturday, May 01, 2010 |
For Danni: If you want pain, try Starvation Ridge Trail (414) across in Oregon. head UP the mopuntain to Warren Lake. The Cape Horn hike is a nice prelim for most other hikes.
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Danni
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Date of Hike: Thursday, September 17, 2009 |
This is the most difficult hike I've attempted in the Gorge. There were tears. There were copious amounts of cussing. There were moments of utter defeat. And then I downloaded my photos. And it all melted away.
Will I go back? Don't be ridiculous, my photos are perfect and my tears too fresh. Should you go? Absolutely. It's a 7 or so mile loop with about 1300 feet in elevation gain. Hey, at the very least you can become an I-too-survived-Cape-Horn survivor.
The trail head for this little-known trail is between mile marker 26 and 27 on Hwy 14 on the Washington side of the Gorge. It starts out innocently enough - meandering trail through heavily-forested hillsides. There is lots of up, up, up, but the thought of the views when we finally clear the treeline keeps us climbing. And the reward was absolutely worth it. No question.
My frustration came with the down, down, down. It seemed never-ending. And just when I thought, "Enough already," we came across what seemed like *miles* of loose shale switchbacks that required precise foot placement, and yielded very, very slow progress.
This loop has everything: Shaded forest, forest critters, breathtaking panoramic views of the Gorge, wildflower meadows, waterfalls, lots and lots and lots of loose shale, great birding, the occasional garter snake, and even some country roads.
It's not for the novice. Bring a positive attitude. Bring lots of water (I emptied my Camelback before the end of the hike). And for crying out loud bring your camera.
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Date of Hike: Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
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My wife, son and I did this hike on Memorial Day weekend and absolutely loved it. We live in Camas, WA, so this is an easy trail to get to for us. The views were amazing, and the waterfall was a nice treat. This hike is the kind that I would love to take visitors on in the future because it is so close and has so much to offer. I really appreciate those who worked hard to make this trail. It's a little rocky in some spots, but generally in great shape.
This was my second time on the trail, and we went the opposite direction this time. I liked starting on the paved road and ending with the steep, relatively short descent through the forest to the parking lot as opposed to ending on the long, uphill hike on the pavement. If you go this way, watch for the trail on the right side of the road near the sign that prohibits parking. If you go past the iron gate then you've gone too far.
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Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 |
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Peaceful beauitful blue March day. Very muddy up to Cape Vista, well worth the panoramic views from the bluff.Snow and massive wind on the bluff but very serene. Some confusion walking on private run heading towards a potential subdivision of all things but figured directions out fiairly easily. The rivrer views were my favorite with interesting rock formations and wind battered trees. The 1.5 mile up cape horn road to the car seemed like 5. I will do it again!
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