Size: 4 acres
Location: Skamania County, WA
Acquired: 2006
Transferred: Sold to the U.S. Forest Service in 2008

This four-acre property perched on the rim of Cape Horn was Friends’ Land Trust’s first-ever purchase after its creation in 2005. sale of Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust.

Already surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land, this inholding and another property (Cape Horn Preserve) were the only two parcels standing in the way of public recreation and permanent protection of the entire top and rim of Cape Horn.

A 5,500-square-foot house and 6,000-square-foot barn stood on the property, and the U.S. Forest Service was not interested in acquiring the property with the structures on it. As part of Friends’ Campaign for Cape Horn, Friends deconstructed the house and other structures, recycled as much of the building material as possible, and sold it to the U.S. Forest Service in 2008.

The site is now home to the Nancy Russell Overlook, a beautiful panoramic view of the Gorge celebrating the life and legacy of Friends’ Founder Nancy Russell.