Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Fact Sheet Supplement
Purchases Planned for FY 2011
Acres
Cost ($)
Phase 2 of purchase from The Trust for Public Land, Major Creek
159
247,000
Western Pacific Timber parcel, Major Creek
278
343,000
Miles parcel, Major Creek
30
250,000
Friends of the Columbia Gorge parcel, Aldrich Butte
80
350,000
Columbia Land Trust parcel, Cape Horn
13
160,000
Major Creek--The entire Major Creek drainage was designated Special Management Area. It is a wild,
undeveloped area of steep canyons, old growth trees, creeks and springs, and an abundance of wildlife.
Major Creek supports runs of threatened Mid-Columbia River steelhead and the drainage represents a
vitally important wildlife corridor between the Columbia River and the uplands above the Gorge Walls.
This is also the site of a 640-acre Natural Area encompassing original east side forest, including old
growth.

Phase two of the purchase from The Trust for Public Land (TPL) will complete a significant
effort in partnership with the TPL to acquire important lands in this area. The remaining two
parcels are comprised of steep canyon topography bisected by tributaries of Major Creek. One is
heavily forested with a perennial creek and ½ mile of riparian vegetation, while the other is heavy
to oak and other dry site vegetation. Acquisition will consolidate boundaries, expand protection of
Major Creek tributaries, maintain a diversity of habitats, and simplify landownership for the
recreating public.

The Western Pacific Timber parcels are located in the East Fork Major Creek drainage.
Approximately 171 acres are inside the NSA boundary and have a designation of Special
Management Area (SMA) Open Space; the remaining 108 acres are outside the NSA boundary.
Approximately ½ mile of the East Fork Major Creek flows through the western parcel. Its steep,
timbered canyon walls also embrace three separate tributary creeks and an additional ¾ miles of
riparian habitat. This is a key acquisition for connectivity to existing National Forest System land,
and will reduce NFS landownership boundary.

The Miles parcel is located in the lower Major Creek drainage zoned Open Space. It is comprised of high
priority pine/oak habitat in which fir has been moving into the area at the expense of the oak. Acquisition
would enable stand treatment to take the stand back to the native pine/oak mix. Approximately 1,800 feet
of Major Creek forms the eastern boundary of the parcel and would provide access to the creek bed for
management and monitoring. It is also a readily definable boundary as compared to the current stair step
boundary.
Aldrich Butte—Aldrich Butte is on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge near the town of
North Bonneville. Friends of the Columbia Gorge currently holds an option on a parcel of land located just
west of Aldrich Butte and within the Special Management Area of the NSA. They are offering to convey
the parcel to the United States. In fact, the organization has undertaken a quiet title action to clear title
and facilitate Federal acquisition. This parcel has long been a priority acquisition for the NSA. It is
comprised of steep forested slopes bisected by Cedar Creek. Aldrich Falls, also known as Cedar Falls, is
on the property. Public lands surround the property (80 percent National Forest System land, 20 percent
Beacon Rock State Park). It is partially visible from several Key Viewing Areas (Hwy. 14, I-84, Columbia
River). Acquisition would eliminate the need to reopen the one road providing legal access to the parcel.
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This 1800’s era road is located on NFS land very near ponds and other sensitive habitats. Reopening this
road has the clear potential to degrade these resources.
Cape Horn-- Cape Horn is a rocky promontory on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge approximately
25 miles from Vancouver, WA. Columbia Land Trust currently has a conservation easement and a purchase
option on a parcel that sits in a key location for the proposed Cape Horn Trail. A County Park-and-Ride
across the street would serve as a parking lot and trail access point. Use of this parking facility would be
at no cost to the Forest Service and would eliminate the need for Forest Service planning and
construction of a trailhead facility for the Cape Horn Trail. This parcel adjoins National Forest System land
to the south and west, county road to the east, and private land to the north. There are two small
wetlands near the south boundary of this parcel.
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