Cape Horn    May 19, 2017    (#26)

We heard the larkspur might be blooming at Cape Horn, a hike near Washougal, Washington.  The trail is a loop, but this time of year the lower section is closed for peregrine falcon nesting.  We started in the middle, and hiked down to the waterfall overlook, then back up to Pioneer Point.  We did see some falcons flying below us.  The larkspur were blooming in the lower area near Hwy 14, but not in the upper trail near the Nancy Russell overlook yet – should be another week or so up there.  A beautiful day, and not too busy on the trail. (6.0/1200′)

Eastward view from the Nancy Russell overlook

Larkspur

Larkspur

Butterfly on dandelion

Iris

Campion

Youth on age

Cow Parsnip

Silverstar Mountain, with snow, looking north from near Pioneer Point

GPS track

Flower list

Tracy Hill  May 21, 2017  (#27)

Two years ago in February we hiked up Tracy Hill above Catherine Creek, and I noticed lots of Lewisia (bitterroot) foliage on the rocky patches as we made our way up the hill.  Knowing that the bitterroot is in full bloom now, I wanted to go back and see the handsome pink flowers along the trail.  The suite of wildflowers that bloom in the later, drier season were out, the green grasses and early blooms have faded and gone to seed, so the hills are less spring green, and more a blend of olive greens, browns, and pinks, in a lovely color wash.  The bitterroot were blooming, as expected, but more toward the end of the cycle, compared to two weeks ago, and we also saw a few pink slender Clarkia along the way.  Yellow monkey flower and purple lupine added pops of color to the landscape, and there were purple penstemon blooming along the cliff edge north of the arch.  It was hot (90 degrees) when we finished the hike.  This may be our last eastern gorge hike until fall. (6.0/1300′)

Bitterroot still in bloom

Looking south to Mt. Hood and the parking area

Lewisia

Clarkia

Mt. Hood

Lupine

Penstemon on the cliff

Dan and balsamroot

Catherine Creek arch

Ookow

Poison oak with flowers (itch)

GPS track

Flower list

The last bitterroot till next year?

Starvation Ridge          May 12, 2017          (# 24 )

Lots of rain in Portland this weekend.  Friday we decided to try the Starvation Ridge loop near Hood River (50% chance of rain).  Two cars in the parking lot, but no actual raindrops.  Clouds were looming just above the top of Dog Mountain directly across the Columbia River.  The loop is about 3 miles, and the Oregon Hikers trail guide recommends a clockwise loop as the first uphill section is really steep but would be more difficult going down.  We completely agree with their assessment – also there were a couple of washouts on this part of the trail that would be harder down hill.  The trail switchbacks along the ridge and crosses under the power lines.  There are open meadows in places that were full of wildflowers.  We also had drizzle or rain about 50% of the time, but as we were standing on one of the high overlooks, the sun came out behind us, creating a rainbow below us over the river.  We did have to scoot across one stream crossing on a log on our backsides. We enjoyed the hike, and we had the trail entirely to ourselves.  (3 miles, 1100 feet )  We finished the Starvation hike around lunchtime, and ate our lunch while reading the signage about the train that was stuck in the snow here for three weeks in December, 1884, though noone actually starved.

Starvation story

First overlook, east toward the trailhead, with phlox

Rainbow below us, toward Wind Mountain

Dog Mountain, across the Columbia River

Rainy meadow

Lower Lancaster Falls

Cabin Creek Falls

Hole In the Wall Falls

Starvation Creek Falls

Monkeyflower, shooting star, rosy plectritis, blue-eyed Mary

Solomon seal

Fairy slipper

Pacific dogwood

Serviceberry

Paintbrush

Chickweed

GPS track

Flower list

Bitterroot at Catherine Creek     May 12, 2017

After lunch we crossed over the Hood River Bridge to Catherine Creek as we had seen reports that the bitterroot were blooming.  Yes!  The meadows are starting to look dry, but the rocky balds are sprinkled with clumps of blooms, with more to come.  We wandered up to the vernal ponds area above the road and could see bitterroot bloom far and wide.  The ponds are dried up, but filled with swathes of purple camas and monkey flower.  Buckwheat are starting to bloom, and a few white death camas remain in the shady areas.

Bitterroot

Near the parking area

Vernal Pools filled with camas

Catherine Creek arch

East view – Columbia River

West view- Columbia River

Looking back at the vernal pools

Monkeyflowers

Meadow death camas

Bi-colored cluster lilies

Flower list

Weldon Wagon Road      May 14, 2017   (# 25)

Mothers Day – Once again going east out of the rain, we decided to walk this trail above Husum, Washington. We went with our son, and some friends with their dog. We had been once several years ago, in April, and I remember enjoying walking through the oak woodlands that reminded me of the California hills of my youth.  We were pleasantly surprised to see that in May, the open slopes in the upper part of the trail are covered in balsam root flowers with lupine, buckwheat, and various parsleys. We could only see the very lowest part of Mt. Hood below the rain clouds, but we did not get any rain, and had a very pleasant hike (5.5 miles, 1300′).

Trail cutting through upper slopes – balsam root in bloom

The lower shoulders of Mt. Hood ahead

Columbia desert parsley in the ravine

Unknown

Monkeyflower

Tarweed

Lupine

GPS track

Flower list