We went on five hikes in May. Though most were repeat hikes, we return for good reason – to see the wildflowers. And we found a new trail with mountain lady slippers in bloom!
May 2, Stacker Butte, WA – We hiked along the road above Dalles Mountain Ranch to the top of Stacker Butte on a foggy day – the clouds lifted and did not rain on us. All the wildflowers were out! (5 miles, 1000 feet)
Looking up from the trailhead…
Paintbrush, lupine, and balsamroot
Daggerpod, desert parsley, large head clover, and buckwheat
Looking toward the crest and some of the many cell towers at the top
Paintbrush, phlox, and all the rest
Lunch view from the top, looking north. Clouds blocked our view of Mt Adams; bight yellow wildflowers painting the slopes above Swale Canyon.
Long view to the east, with wind turbines.
And looking south, back to the river, The Dalles, and Dalles Mountain Ranch.
Lupine and balsamroot
One of many meadow larks, singing.
There is a famous rusted out jalopy near Dalles Mountain Ranch – often seen in flower-filled photographs this time of year. The short trail usually has lots of visitors, but there were none today, so we visited for the first (and likely the last) time, and took our share of photographs.
May 8, Weldon Wagon Road, WA – We took the usual hike up through the forest to the open slopes painted yellow with balsamroot and desert parsley (4.7 miles, 1200 feet).
The open slopes, and Mt Hood
Along the trail
Fern leaf parsley
Bare stem biscuitroot/parsley
May 14, Tom McCall Point, OR – Again, our usual hike to the top, on an almost too warm day, with some later season blooms near the top (4 miles, 1000 feet).
Our objective – Tom McCall Point from Rowena Crest trailhead; Mt Hood peeking up on the right.
Looking back at Rowena Crest, the Columbia River and Mt Adams.
Penstemon, balsamroot, paintbrush and Mt Hood.
Looking toward Lyle Cherry Orchard from the top, and a distant yellow canola? field. We’ve never noticed that before.
Another view down river, with Mt Adams.
Blue flax
Clarkia
Whitestem frasera
And another pass through parsley alley on the return.
May 20, Cape Horn, WA – Our daughter joined us for this hike through the tall larkspur-lined trail – a seasonal treat! (3.3 miles, 600 feet)
Much of the trail looks like this – shady forest and tall larkspur, this time of year.
Larkspur
We walked all the way down to the waterfall viewpoint.
View up the Columbia River to Beacon Rock from the Waterfall Overlook.
A few other wildflowers seen today…
Red columbine, blue-eyed Mary, purple iris, white thimbleberry
Fringecup and larkspur
Honeysuckle
And more larkspur!
May 30, Lady Slipper Trail, Brooks Memorial State Park, WA – This was a new trail for us, about a two hour drive from Portland, in the Simcoe Mountains north of Goldendale, WA. We had heard that the Lady Slipper Trail here was a place one can see the elusive mountain lady slipper orchids. The plants are rare and endangered, so locations are not publicized. The park ranger told us approximately where to look.
Lupine in the picnic area, about 2600 feet elevation.
After lunch in the picnic area, we slowly hiked along the Lady Slipper Loop, looking carefully. We eventually found one patch of about a dozen blooming plants! (1.5 miles, 200 feet)
Mountain lady slippers near the trail
Another few clumps in a nearby clearing
Closer view
The other cheek
With forest beyond
Very pretty!
And we could see Mt Hood in the distance on the return trail.
After our hike, we stopped at the Maryhill Art Museum, as described in the previous post, before driving home. We have certainly seen our share of the wildflowers in May!
Margaret Quilts 