Trailhead Ambassadors 2018 Cape Horn: Alternative Hikes

Cape Horn Summary ● Currently 5.0 miles out and back; 1,000’ elev. gain. The lower portion of the loop trail is closed through July 15 to protect a peregrine falcon nesting area. ● After July 15 you can hike an 8.3 mile; 1,500’ elev. gain loop. ● Regardless of which you do there are stunning viewpoints of the River and great fields of flowers. The Larkspur is especially amazing in the spring! ● The trailhead is located at the Salmon Falls Road Park ‘n Ride at milepost 26.4 on Hwy 14 (about 20 miles east of the I-205 bridge) ● Restrooms; no permits required.

Directions to the Nancy Russell Overlook (NRO) Disclaimer: Do not encourage people to drive and park on Strunk Rd for a short hike to the overlook. Hand out this information sparingly if it comes up in conversation. The neighbors DO NOT WANT people parking here as it is NOT an established parking area. One day in the future the plan is to create a beautiful park here with a parking lot.

Here are the directions to the gate & gravel road that leads to NRO from Cape Horn Trailhead: ● Turn right on SR 14 ( west) and drive for about 3 miles to roughly MP 23. ● Turn right onto Bell Center Road which is clearly signed. ● Bell Center Road “Ts” at Mt. Pleasant Road. Turn right onto Mt. Pleasant Rd. ● At a large “Y” turn right onto Strunk Rd. Strunk dead-ends at the gate.

Washington: West of Cape Horn on Hwy 14. ● Heading west on Hwy 14 from the Salmon Falls Road Park ‘n Ride. ● Steigerwald Lake . o 8.1 miles; 10 minutes west; trailhead parking area on the left. o The hike is 2.8 miles (out and back); flat; restrooms; no dogs; no permit required. o This hike is all about birding and wildlife viewing! Great blue herons, geese, bald eagles, harriers, woodpeckers,,,,the list is endless! o Big plans are under way to remove dikes along the river; relocate other dikes and restore Gibbons Creek to its natural flow path through Steigerwald Lake. Construction will start soon. This will greatly enhance the wetlands and restore an estuary critical to the survival of young salmon on their way to the sea. o https://gorgefriends.org/hike-the-gorge/steigerwald-lake-national-wildlife- refuge---gibbons-cre.html

Washington: East of Cape Horn on Hwy 14. ● Heading east on Hwy 14 from the Salmon Falls Road Park ‘n Ride. ● Beacon Rock. o 8.7 miles; 10 minutes from Cape Horn. o Park on the right side of Hwy 14 near the toilets. The trail up the Rock starts at the west end of the parking area. o 1.8 miles; 600’ elev. gain to the top! Great views up and down the River. o For a really great view of the Rock (and a nice place for a picnic lunch) drive 0.7 mile west on Hwy 14 and turn left onto Doetsch Ranch Road. Drive to the boat docks at the end of the road. o Washington Discover Pass required.

● Hamilton Mountain. o 8.7 miles; 10 minutes from Cape Horn. o The road into Beacon Rock State Park is right across the highway from the parking for Beacon Rock. Wind uphill to the Hamilton trailhead. o The popular loop route to the top of Hamilton is 8.2 miles; 2,100’ elev. gain. Flowers; views; waterfalls! An iconic Gorge hike! o For a shorter hike just go 1.2 miles; 500’ elev. gain to Rodney Falls and the Pool of the Winds. Return the same way. o Toilets; WA Discover Pass required

● Ft. Cascades. o 12.6 miles; 16 minutes from Cape Horn. o Turn right into the access road (directly across from Hot Springs Road); then go right onto the fishing access road to Fort Cascades Historic Site. o A 1.2 mile, flat loop trail. o Grab an interpretive brochure at the kiosk and hike to 14 stops describing the history of the area.

● Gillette Lake/Greenleaf Overlook. o 13.5 miles; 17 minutes from Cape Horn. o Park at Bonneville Trailhead on the north (left) side of the highway. Toilets; WA Discover Pass required. o 8.6 miles and 875’ elev. gain to the Overlook; 6.0/500’ to the Lake. o A 0.7 mile leads to the PCT. Go west on the PCT. o In one sense this is an “ugly” hike because about half of it is through clear cuts. On the other hand, the geology is pretty interesting! You hike through a jumble of hummocks and boulders that came down to block the Columbia and create the Bridge of the Gods when Table Mountain and Greenleaf Peak collapsed during a massive earthquake. Looking up at these mountains and the Red Cliffs between them it is easy to visualize what happened.

● Wind Mountain. o 26.2 miles; 35 minutes from Cape Horn. o At 8.5 miles from the Bridge of the Gods turn left onto Wind Mountain Road. In 1.4 miles turn right on Girl Scout Road; then go 0.2 miles to the pavement’s end at a clearing. Park there. No permit required. o The hike to the top is 2.8 miles; 1,230’ elev. gain. o Great Gorge views from the summit. o The summit has numerous “Vision Quest” Pits. Observe, but please do not disturb them and respect the sacred feelings of the native Americans for these pits.

● Dog Mountain. o 27.7 miles; 35 minutes from Cape Horn. o Hike permits are now required for this trail (Saturday and Sunday only) and they are not available at the trailhead. A. limited number can be purchased on-line each day. o Saturdays and Sundays: Rather than going to the trailhead, stop at the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson and board the shuttle to Dog Mountain. The shuttle costs $1/person each way – which includes a free hiking permit! o It is 3.0 miles; 6 minutes from the Washington end of Bridge of the Gods to Stevenson. o The Dog Mountain/Augspurger Loop Trail is 7.3 miles; 2,900’ elev. gain. o Arguably the best displays of wildflowers in the Gorge – certainly the most popular! o Weekdays: Continue another 9.5 miles; 13 minutes east from Stevenson to the Dog Mountain Trailhead. Be advised that parking is limited and is very crowded even on weekdays in the peak flower season. Parking requires a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass.

Oregon. Near Cascade Locks. ● From Cape Horn drive 15.7 miles; 20 minutes to the Bridge of the Gods. Cross into . $2/vehicle fee. ● Thunder Island (in Cascade Locks). o Drive east through town and turn left into Cascade Locks Marine Park. o Walk across the footbridge over the old locks channel to Thunder Island. o Explore the island! Take time to look at Table Mountain, the Red Cliffs and Greenleaf Peak across the River in Washington. These mountains collapsed and slid into the River during one of the 9.0 Cascadia earthquakes, blocking the flow and creating the “Bridge of the Gods”. o Toilets; no permits required. ● Bonneville Dam. o From Cascade Locks take I-84 westbound for 4 miles to Exit 40. o Tour the dam: nice views of the River and the mountains on the Washington side; Visitor Center with information about the dam; viewing windows of the fish ladders. o Visit the Fish Hatchery on the same grounds as the dam. Information about the process of raising salmon and trout in hatcheries. Go see Herman the Sturgeon! o Toilets; no fees.

● Unfortunately, most of the trails on the Oregon side in the Central Gorge have been closed due to the Eagle Creek Fire. If you are really wanting to find some waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls and Latourell falls are the closest open trails. ● Bridal Veil Falls o There is no westbound exit from I-84 for Bridal Veil. From Cascade Locks drive west on I-84 for 19.4 miles; 20 minutes to exit 25 (Rooster Rock State Park). Double back heading east on the interstate for 3 miles to Exit 28 (Bridal Veil). Turn right on the Historic Highway; Bridal Veil Falls is 0.8 miles west. o A short, paved trail leads this beautiful waterfall. o Another short, paved interpretive loop trail leads through fields covered with Camas blooming through mid-May to great views of the River! ● Latourell Falls o From Bridal Veil Falls continue west on the Historic Highway for 2.4 miles to Latourell Falls. o A 2.0 mile loop and 500’ elevation gain to see the upper and lower falls. o Park at the trailhead on the Historic Highway – rest rooms and a view of the lower falls. o Or drive a short distance east or west from the HCRH trailhead and turn towards the River on Latourell Rd. Drive to a lower picnic area of Guy Talbot State Park. A partially paved trail leads past a prime view of the lower falls and then up to the HCRH parking area. Park only in the spaces by the picnic pavilion; respect property of the homeowners nearby.