Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hike - Cape Horn Trail

Carol and Hobie at Cape Horn Trailhead - Oct 15, 2013
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is by far one of my favorite hiking areas in the PNW. I’ve had the pleasure of hiking many of the trails in the CRGNSA but, IMHO, I think the Cape Horn trail has the most spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Steve and Hobie hiking the Cape Horn Trail - Oct 15, 2013
The trailhead starts from a small parking lot near the intersection of Salmon Falls Road and Hwy 14 about 26 miles east of Vancouver, WA. We hiked the entire 7.5-mile loop which took about 3 hours. There are several vista points along the trail that give spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Looking east from Nancy Russell overlook on the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Thankfully, the weather was cool with hints of fall color. I had heard there were some rocky sections on the lower part of the trail and was concerned about our dog, Hobie. But thankfully, they weren’t too bad. I think next time I would just hike to the first vista point but I’m glad we were able to hike the entire trail.
One of several talus slopes on the lower section of the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Carol and Hobie at one of the vista points on the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Carol and Hobie getting ready to cross over a bridge on the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Steve and Hobie at one of the vista points on the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Hobie on the Cape Horn trail - Oct 15, 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Gerbils Beware - Limerick

It's about time Clark County agreed
To help fund the Humane Society
But now it is clear
That Gerbils should fear
Commissioners Madore and Mielke

Link to Columbian newspaper article describing Clark County commissioners unanimous decision to a two-year contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington on Tuesday, ending seven months of debate over how to house stray animals found in unincorporated areas.