Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

This forum is used to share your experiences out on the trails.
Post Reply
User avatar
Ryan Ojerio
Posts: 519
Joined: September 21st, 2008, 6:31 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

Post by Ryan Ojerio » March 12th, 2013, 4:28 pm

One of the viewpoint on the upper trail (north of Hwy 14) has been closed. As you climb out of the parking lot/trailhead through a series of switchbacks you eventually pop out at Pioneer Point, continuing west you'll arrive at the Tipping Tree point, but the third viewpoint just west of Tipping Tree is actually on private property.

The owners have posted No Trespassing signs along their property line and plans are in the works to decomission the small loop of trail that visits the viewpoint. Hikers can bypass the private property by sticking to the trail on Forest Service Property that was originally built to keep horses away from the cliff edge.

The backstory here is that the parcel of land was being considered for purchase and subsequent addition to the Forest Service. It now appears that the land will not be purchased so the owners are taking precautions to protect themselves from liability.

The part of the trail we hiked between the trailhead and the Nancy Russell overlook is in fine shape except for a few muddy patches. It was cool to see the Oak woodland restoration project moving ahead over near the Nancy Russell overlook.
Attachments
IMG_2920.JPG
Washington Trails Association
Southwest Washington Regional Manager
[email protected]
(360) 722-2657

User avatar
Eric Peterson
Posts: 4097
Joined: May 11th, 2009, 5:39 am
Location: Oregon
Contact:

Re: Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

Post by Eric Peterson » March 12th, 2013, 5:57 pm

Hey Ryan, thanks for the update.

Were there any other VP's or sections of trail closed that are not on privately held land?

User avatar
Ryan Ojerio
Posts: 519
Joined: September 21st, 2008, 6:31 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

Post by Ryan Ojerio » March 13th, 2013, 11:21 am

Eric Peterson wrote:Were there any other VP's or sections of trail closed that are not on privately held land?
the Falcon Closure is in effect from the "Fir Viewpoint" through the entire lower section to where it pops out on Cape Horn Road. In April the Forest Service may expand the closure area by moving the closure from the "Fir" Viewpoint back to the large Bridge just past the west tunnel underpass. This depends on which nesting site the falcons choose this year.

There aren't any other restrictions on the trail and the two other sections that do cross private land have recreation easements (thank you Columbia Land Trust and Friends of the Gorge!).
Washington Trails Association
Southwest Washington Regional Manager
[email protected]
(360) 722-2657

beag
Posts: 350
Joined: April 6th, 2009, 2:30 pm

Re: Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

Post by beag » March 14th, 2013, 7:41 am

That sucks. I'm sure people have been hiking that section of trail for over a hundred years. That, and the way down to the top of the Falls was the only hikable part of the trail for that period of time. Where the forbidden sign is now was close to the old Pioneer trail so people in their wagons would use it as a rest point the way we hikers use it to day. Who put the signs up. Was it the FS or the millionaire owner. His little section of land up there is landlocked so I would guess it might be illegal for him to use the trail to put up his do not enter sign. Or maybe he got permission from the powers that be to do it. I also think the FS had intentions to close that section of trail so this would be a trouble free way for the FS to deal with this little problem. This great hike is gradually losing it's great View Points one by one. Of course we'll still have our million dollar tunnels including the one we only need for half a year.

User avatar
Guy
Posts: 3333
Joined: May 10th, 2009, 4:42 pm
Location: The Foothills of Mt Hood
Contact:

Re: Cape Horn - one of the smaller viewpoints is closed

Post by Guy » March 14th, 2013, 8:58 am

What Beag said.....
hiking log & photos.
Ad monte summa aut mors

Post Reply