The Cape Horn Overlook along Washington's HWY 14 provides one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Gorge, yet the view is only accessible along a dangerous highway pull out. With the recent public purchases of hundreds of acres on top of Cape Horn now, an official trail and overlook area above the highway pull out can provide a safer and more stunning recreation opportunity for Gorge lovers.

The top of Cape Horn was originally planned as a subdivision in the 1980's. In the mid-1980's the Trust for Public Land (TPL) bought 12 of the 16 subdivision lots.  The U.S. Forest Service then bought the land from TPL.  Columbia Land Trust purchased two properties in 2001, and with a 2004 U.S. Forest Service purchase, a loop was created by trail enthusiasts, making the area accessible to the public.

In 2006, Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust purchased the one developed lot from the subdivision and has an option to purchase the private other rim view property. Friends' Campaign for Cape Horn is working to raise funds to secure the properties and provide a public overlook.

For scenic beauty and recreation access, there is no other place like it on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Click here for photos of Cape Horn

What You Can Do to Help.

Contact the U.S. Forest Service's National Scenic Area office and ask them to:

• Make the Cape Horn Loop Trail an official Forest Service trail.
• Purchase the Cleveland property to create a public overlook for Gorge lovers.

Dan Harkenrider
Area Manager
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
902 Wasco Ave., Ste. 200
Hood River, OR 97031
FAX: 541 386-1916