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Commissioners debate shoulder-parking ordinance, alternatives for Dog Mountain and Cape Horn access
Summary
Skamania County commissioners discussed a proposed ordinance to address shoulder parking near popular trailheads (Dog Mountain, Cape Horn), examined potential spillover onto county roads, and talked about interim and long-term solutions including shuttles, variances, and working with Scenic Area authorities.
Skamania County commissioners spent substantial time on April 22 discussing a proposed shoulder-parking ordinance intended to reduce unsafe roadside parking near popular trailheads such as Dog Mountain and Cape Horn, and weighing where displaced vehicles would go.
Commissioners said while the ordinance could reduce dangerous shoulder parking at the trailheads, removing on-site parking without alternatives could push cars onto other county roads and create new safety problems. One commissioner said alternate access points, a shuttle model, or additional formally permitted parking would be preferable before the county enacts an ordinance.
Participants discussed practical options: pursuing a variance or expansion of existing parking at nearby lots, coordinating with the Forest Service and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on possible solutions, and exploring a shuttle that would use existing parking facilities or schools during peak weekends. A commissioner suggested pursuing a phased approach and revisiting the ordinance on July 1 to allow time for coordination and to identify alternative parking or transportation solutions.
No final ordinance was adopted on April 22. Commissioners requested follow-up outreach to the Scenic Area supervisor and to local stakeholders, and asked planning staff to explore trigger points and deliverables (for example, confirmed alternative parking or a shuttle plan) before taking final action.
