Vandalism reported on scenic cliffs in Columbia River Gorge

SKAMANIA COUNTY, Wash. — The U.S. Forest Service is investigating several instances of vandalism on scenic cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge.

The taggings were discovered this week on the Cape Horn Cliffs, below SR-14 on the Washington side of the Gorge. They’re difficult to spot from the Oregon side, but anyone close to the cliffs on a boat would likely be able to see them. Some vandalism was also reported next to a nearby railroad tunnel.

“It’s sort of sacrilegious,” said Peter Cornelison, a field representative for the nonprofit group, Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “It shows our separation from nature that somebody would seek to put their own symbol on a natural feature like this.”

Cornelison says he’s been to the base of the cliffs many times in a kayak.

“Graffiti is a legitimate art form, but not in a national scenic area and not in nature,” he said. “It belongs on a wall someplace.”

A U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman tells KATU the agency is investigating the vandalism and that anyone caught will likely face criminal charges and potentially thousands of dollars in fines.

Anyone with information should call a tip line at 541-308-1700.