We went on one hike on April 1st, before my husband’s neck surgery on April 4th. After a couple of weeks of rest, we found some shorter, easier hikes in the last half of April, following the wildflower bloom, but keeping activity level within medical guidelines.
April 1 – Catherine Creek: Lower Tracy Hill – Arch Loop, WA
One of our usual trails. It was lovely to see the next phase of bloom in the meadows here.
View from the trailhead: the meadows are full of white saxifrage, also purple shooting stars, and a few camas beginning to bloom.Looking south toward Mt Hood, the orchards of Mosier are glowing as the leaves unfurl.Along the trail – rosy plectritus and purple broomrape.Pockets of camas liliesSaxifrage and shooting starsColumbia desert parsleyPonderosas reflected in a vernal pool, and yellow desert parsley.Our trail passed above the ent who guards the slope…He’s still standing.On our return trail, we passed below the Arch, with eagles soaring above.Some early bloomers were hanging on in this cliff shadow – gold stars and grass widows.A few larkspur were just starting to bloom among them.
April 21 – Mitchell Point Tunnel and Mosier Plateau, OR
Last month I mentioned seeing the nearly completed Mitchell Point Tunnel from the highway as we drove by. The tunnel is now open. We stopped on our way to Mosier Plateau to see the views from the tunnel.
Mitchell Point from the parking lot. The new pedestrian and bicycle tunnel replaces the original automobile tunnel on the Old Columbia River Highway that was destroyed when Interstate 84 was built. The tunnel passes around the north side and through Mitchell Point.Western tunnel entranceWestern view from the western tunnel entrance on a windy day.There are five or six viewing windows in the 600 foot long tunnel.View through one of the windows.Another window view.Eastern tunnel opening.View from the eastern opening toward the highway and the eastern gorge.Back through the tunnel.The western entry patio was comfortably sheltered from the wind today.We walked a short way up the Mitchell Point Trail, which has been closed during tunnel construction. There were lots of wildflowers blooming in the woods. The trail becomes quite steep and rocky, and not suited for a surgical recovery hiker, so we didn’t go very far.
We drove on to Mosier Plateau, where the lower part of the hike is protected from the wind. Eventually, the trail emerges onto the open bench above the river, where the blooms and views were beautiful, but the wind too strong to want to walk the full length of the plateau.
Passing Mosier Creek Falls on the lower trail.Heading uphill within Mosier Creek drainage, well protected from the wind.Looking up along the trail,Northward, toward the river – clumps of bright yellow balsam root bloom becoming more abundant.BalsamrootWith a few poppiesOn the windy plateau, looking west down the Columbia River and toward Mosier.Northern view, looking directly at Coyote Wall in WashingtonA perfect view of the black basalt outcrops of the labyrinth, where I can pick out a couple of my favorite trees.And farther east toward Rowland Wall, Catherine Creek, and her famous Arch.
April 23 – Camassia Nature Preserve, West Linn, OR
A one mile loop trail through a natural area near Highway 205 and the Willamette River – somehow preserved from surrounding housing and industrial development.
Walking boardwalks through the green forest, with fringe cup and ferns.A few blue-eyed Marys that always remind me of my sister.Open meadows of camas and rosy plectritisCamas meadows and mossy rocks.Another meadow.Cell tower osprey – the bird can see the Willamette River near Oregon City from their perch.CamasCamas, rosy plectritis and buttercupsTrillium and violets in the forest on the return trail.
April 25 – Round Lake Lily Fields, Camas, WA
Another short, easy walk in a suburban area where large slopes of camas lilies are not far from housing developments.
The lower trail near Round Lake…Several paths wind through open slopes of camas lilies.Camas lilyContinuing upwardMossy rocks and camas liliesNear the top of the hillA few glacier lilies still blooming at the very top of the trail.
April 29 – Weldon Wagon Road, WA
The wind continued strong and steady all week in the Gorge. We chose this hike, in part because it has fabulous displays of balsam root along a smooth trail, but also because it is a bit protected from the relentless blasting wind in the main Columbia River corridor.
Oak woodlands along the lower trailBastard toadflax – my first time seeing this small white cluster flower.Purple lupine and white manroot along the upper forest trail, just before the opening to…the wide view across the balsamroot filled slopes.We took a side trail up the ridge with a view to Mt Adams to the north for our lunch stop.Back on the main trail, balsam root all the way…And big headed clover,BalsamrootThe upper trail is wooded, with blue flowers of Pacific hound’s tongue and yellow violets in the understory.Returning down the way we came. Pale pink phlox among the yellow balsamroot.Our descending trail back down through the flowering slopes.
On the drive home, we stopped at the overlook on Highway 84 just below Corbett, where the perfectly calm air allowed a river mirror to form – we don’t see that very often on our gorge excursions.
Eastward, up river, Crown Point/Vista House on the right skyline.Westward toward WashougalPanorama viewHistorical Marker at the viewpoint
Thus, we enjoyed another month of wildflower hikes, with more to come in May.
Margaret Quilts 