History of Balfour-Klickitat Loop Trail:
Once the home of James Lyle, who founded the nearby town bearing his name, and later purported to be owned by England's Lord Balfour, the area gradually devolved into a site for hundreds of junk cars, gravel pits, and even a buffalo pen. The U.S. Forest Service bought the property in the early 1990s and rehabilitated it with the help of Yakama tribal members and other locals. It was then discovered that a back corner of the property was a significant eagle gathering area in the winter. Today, the day-use area is recognized as the Columbia Gorge's best site for viewing wintering bald eagles.
