Donations Doubled for Cape Horn Trail

The Cape Horn Trail is about to become one of the prized jewels of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

It's been a not-so-secret unofficial haunt of hikers for years - due to the fabulous views, enchanting waterfall and fascinating terrain. Now, with Forest Service guidance, WTA volunteers are helping with many of the trail improvements that will make it safer and more sustainable.

And here's some good news. To help fund WTA's trail maintenance efforts at Cape Horn, the National Forest Foundation recently awarded WTA a matching grant. When we've raised $13,000 from hikers like you, the Foundation will match each gift dollar-for-dollar.

To date, we've raised $2,680 toward our goal, including generous contributions from Friends of the Gorge and the American Hiking Society. All funds raised will help WTA volunteers construct a new bridge on the trail and build trail re-routes to protect sensitive habitat.

To help us reach our goal, please donate today to the WTA Cape Horn Campaign. Or mail your check to WTA, 2019 3rd Ave Ste 100, Seattle, WA 98121.

Would you like to help in other ways as well? If you would like to lend a hand at a WTA work party, we will be working on the bridge project from January through March. And in June we'll be partnering with REI and Friends of the Gorge on the construction of an ADA-accessible trail to a new overlook. For a schedule of upcoming work parties see: WTA's work party schedule.

The Cape Horn Trail project is very exciting and the collaborative effort to make this a top-notch recreation area is inspiring.

Earlier this summer students in Stevenson High Schools Youth Forest Success Program contributed by constructing a re-route. Meanwhile, the Cape Horn Conservancy helped to map the trail, discourage vandalism, clean up trash and plant native plants at the trailhead. The Forest Service installed trail signs and a gate with rock barriers to put a stop to ORV incursions.

Friends of the Gorge is leading the effort to construct an overlook and ADA accessible trail due to be completed this summer. And this fall the Washington Department of Transportation began a major project to improve safety on Hwy 14 by straightening a deadly curve, adding a turn lane for the trail head and constructing two pedestrian underpasses that will allow hikers to complete the loop without ever having to walk across the highway.

To be a part of making this trail a reality, please donate to the Cape Horn Project at WTA today!