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| By:
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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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| By:
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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| By:
Danni
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Rating:  |
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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| By:
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
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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| By:
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Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 |
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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| By:
Kris R
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Date of Hike: Thursday, October 16, 2008 |
WHAT A GREAT DISCOVERY!
It took us 5 hours and we were beat but what rewards all along the way. We only saw one other group of hikers toward the end and they were going the other way. The views are well worth the effort with panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge in both directions. At one point, we were above the fog and looking down on it. Can't wait to see it all on a clear day. We'll definitely do this one again.
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| By:
Gerald
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Date of Hike: Saturday, April 26, 2008 |
| This was my third time on the trail. I hiked it alone but met someone with the map from this site and he told me about Hiking Upward. Even though I have hiked it before this was my first time on my own and I must say it is difficult to follow in a couple places - unless you bring the map. Despite the lack of signs I still rate it a 5-star because of the views: snowy mountains (Silver Star?), Columbia River, Multnomah Falls, Seal Rock, etc. and, this time of year, the FLOWERS. Lots of camas lilies beginning to bloom. In a few weeks the delphiniums will be nuts. The trilliums are mostly past their prime. A hardy hiker was drenching herself, standing in the middle of Cape Horn Falls. It was a sunny day for April but way too cold for that. I always am impressed how close to Portland this hike is - 24 miles from my house in NE.
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| By:
Don
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Date of Hike: Sunday, February 24, 2008 |
| Lots of wind but absolutely jam-packed with stunning views. Close to Portland and drenched in sunshine and wind the day we went. The trail is in good shape. I hiked part of it last spring and that day it was brushy and muddy in places. The have a flyer box with trail maps: GOOD IDEA cause there are no signs anywhere except at the beginning and end, which is the only place you don't need them.
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| By:
Yukiko
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Date of Hike: Saturday, February 23, 2008 |
| Be sure you bring a map of Cape Horn Trail with you, or pick one up along the way. This is a very scenic hike with lots of special scenery. I began the day in Vancouver and we were going to go to Hood River to go snowshoeing on Mt. Hood but I had read about the Cape Horn Hike on www.portlandhikers.com and had to see it for myself.
Down by the river we saw what I thought were whales but in reality they must have been sea lions feeding on salmon. Amazing. At the north end is a view of some snowy mountains that looked very close. I think they are the ones you see from Portland to the right of Mt. St. Helens. This is the kind of hike you want to do again.
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| By:
John Thoren
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Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Monday, September 03, 2007 |
The others who left comments have adequately described what a great hike this makes.
I wanted to add that one should wear long pants for this hike, even in very warm weather. The bulk of the hike is in the shade, but the underbrush is knee to waist-high for probably 70% of the hike. With the underbrush constantly brushing against bare legs, there can be some scratching, and one would also want to avoid picking up passengers (ticks, etc). There was no obvious sign of poison oak or thistle, but it's much more pleasant in long pants.
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| By:
Clay B
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Date of Hike: Sunday, July 22, 2007 |
| Very pleasant little jaunt. Quite humid and brushy at the beginning. A nice hike for out-of-shape guests.
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| By:
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Date of Hike: Sunday, October 08, 2006 |
| A very nice little hike. We parked at the Bus Stop (Salmon Falls Rd), and then walked down the road to the lowest part of the hike (to the turnaround) about 1.5 miles. Then up and up, but some wonderful viewpoints along the way. Trail in this area consists of small lava rocks - watch footing. Up to the top you are under the canopy, with some stops for view and lunch. That leaves you with a very steep descent (watch your step - hiking pole was helpful) back to the car. Met about 3 groups of folks on the trail. By this route, I didn't think the elevation was too great.
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| By:
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Date of Hike: Monday, July 10, 2006 |
| I have lived in Washougal all my life and never heard about this trail until last weekend. It is nine miles from my house! The variety of scenery is INCREDIBLE. You look way up the Columbia Gorge and across to Multnomah Falls, also to Beacon Rock, but the best part of all is when you are right above the Columbia River. Next time I'm going to wear hiking boots though. For sure this is one to go to again and again.
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| By:
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Date of Hike: Sunday, April 30, 2006 |
| This trail is amazing. It is a strong leg workout and not a hike for those afraid of heights. The trail is a little confusing at the wagon road but just keep turning left until you get to the paved road. When you get to the bluffs, there are incredible views up the gorge. As a bonus, at about the midpoint of the hike, the trail passes underneath a beautiful waterfall. If the weather is sunny, you can walk through the falling water and it is like a cool shower. A wide variety of terrain and flora, this hike is a 10!!!
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| By:
Tony
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Date of Hike: Monday, April 03, 2006 |
| It took just half an hour to reach the trailhead from Portland. The beginning of the trail was VERY muddy, but once we got past that part it was FANTASTIC. Lots of wildflowers - trilliums and some yellow ones and some blue ones, then down by the river a profusion of little flowers. Amazing scenery and overlooks with great views but not for people who are afraid of heights! You can't see Mt. Hood but you can see Dog Mountain, Crown Point, Angel's Rest, Beacon Rock, and Multnomah Falls. Really the entire west half of the Columbia River Gorge. Bring a map because most of the signs are missing.
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| By:
Leslie Whitman
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Date of Hike: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 |
| Talk about scenic this has got to be one of Portland's best kept secrets for scenery. BE SURE TO BRING A CAMERA (Unfortunately we did not). The rocky part is a little hard on the feet. The hike back up to the parking area along Cape Horn Road was spectacular with views look up at the highest cliffs on the hike. We didn't see anybody on the whole hike (or on the road) but there were lots of cars at the trail head. It gets a little confusing up on top - basically you just want to be going south between the fields and back into the woods.
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| By:
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Date of Hike: Saturday, August 20, 2005 |
| A very nice hike. Didn't see anyone else the entire time. Excellent views at several points along the way. Do be sure to read the directions about following the gravel road, or you'll get a little confused. (It's tricky enought when you do read them).
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| By:
Kim Bradford
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Date of Hike: Monday, July 18, 2005 |
| There are some great hikes in Portland and the Columbia River Gorge and I would say this is one of them. Next time I will for sure bring a camera though cause it is one of the prettiest places you will see. It was pushing 100 degrees yesterday. Luckily there is a waterfall you can stand right under which is just what we did for about 2 hours. Also we stirred up a HUGE deer that was lounging in the shade by a creek.
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| By:
David Robinson
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Date of Hike: Friday, January 21, 2005 |
| Great loop hike and so close to Portland. It felt like around each bend we were coming to a new surprise: grass-covered bluffs looking down on the Gorge, waterfalls, rock outcroppings, meadows, big trees. The lower part was the best: all southern exposure (so nice in the wintertime), a long stretch right above the Columbia River, and a passage behind a waterfall. The wind moved the spray just as I was passing behind the falls so I got wet. I was the only one in our group that did. Minuses: some muddy sections and rocky talus, and some stragglers got slightly lost by the paved road. There are no signs anywhere. Just be sure to take the FIRST gravel road to the right. If it weren't for that I would have rated it 5-star.
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