September, 2025

October 17, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

In September we visited an art festival, and went on two hikes in the mountains, and one at the beach. I took my usual neighborhood walks, read a few books, and made very little notable progress on my ongoing knitting projects. At the end of the month, we flew to the east coast to visit family there (next post).

9/1 – Art in the Pearl

Some of my favorite artwork in this year’s show:

9/2 – Crescent and Cannon Beaches, OR

A hot day in Portland. We drove to the coast for a short hike to Crescent Beach in Ecola State Park, then went to Cannon Beach to walk near Haystack Rock at low tide.

View to Crescent Beach and Cannon Beach from Ecola Point.

Trail through the forest, about 3 miles round trip.

Descending to Crescent Beach, looking south.

We walked down the beach and found a spot to eat lunch.

Zooming in on Ecola Point, where we began our hike. We hiked back up after lunch.

After an ice cream break in Cannon Beach, we walked toward Haystack Rock. It wasn’t a particularly low low tide today. My husband took a much longer walk, while I found a good perch right in front of the Needles, and watched several pods of pelicans fly north along the breaker zone.

Zooming in on The Needles, with pelican.

9/10 – June Lake, Mt St Helens, WA

Another hot day. Another relatively easy hike, first to June Lake, then up onto some of the lava flows (Worm Flows) on the south side of the mountain (4 miles, 800 feet).

Some of the late wildflowers along the way:

June lake is calm, reflecting the waterfall coming out of the lava flow above.

Then we went up a fairly steep trail, and onto the Loowit Trail, and the lava flows:

A glimpse of the top of Mt St Helens beyond the clouds.

We went just high enough to get the full mountain view.

Zooming in on a glacier near the summit ridge.

The trail not taken ahead – our knees and balance had enough for the day.

We descended, with another stop at the beautifully reflective June Lake…

9/16 – Little Crater Lake, Mt Hood, OR

And yet another hot day! Another easy hike, first to Little Crater Lake, then to the eastern edge of Timothy Lake along the Pacific Crest Trail (3.5 miles, 50 feet).

This small artesian spring-fed lake is always a treat, with its deep turquoise color, reflections and transparency. An indulgent photo stop.

We walked to the eastern edge of Timothy Lake, then retraced our steps.

Pacific Crest Trail – nice and shady on a hot day.

We were told we could see Mt Hood from the Timothy Lake Dam, so we drove around the lake to see the view – it was just a glimpse over a ridge.

Neighborhood walks

Flowers and landscape elements I noticed in September:

I haven’t done much quilting lately, so I composed a concrete quilt from some of my favorite sidewalk cracks.

September books

I finished six books in September. The most inspiring was the biography of Robert Louis and Fanny Stevenson – A Wilder Shore, by Camille Peri. They were a very unusual couple for their time. He chose writing instead of the family business of lighthouse engineering. She grew up in rural Indiana, spent time with her first husband in the mining camps of Nevada, then in bohemian San Francisco, before going to France with her children to study art. They traveled all over the world, by horse carriage, train and ship, eventually settling in Samoa. It seems amazing to me that they were so widely travelled, and that she lived her own style, ignoring much of the expected behavior of a proper Victorian lady. I was inspired to reread my childhood copy of his poem, The Land of Counterpane, from A Child’s Garden of Verses, with illustration by Garth Williams – this is one of the definitive visual memories from my childhood – the quilt, and the imaginary play it inspired.

Also in Portland…

Things started to heat up. Deliberate misinformation reported a ‘war zone’ throughout the city. The only actual activity is near the Federal ICE facility in southwest Portland, where the true spirit of Portland is on display in peaceful protests that defend free speech and due process. I am writing this in October, when things have gotten crazier but in September, we were just getting ready for threatened invasion! I’m sure I will be adding something about the frogs next month.

The rest of August, 2025

September 24, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

August began with a birthday week stay in Bandon on the southern Oregon coast. The rest of the month went by with the usual home activities, in Portland, Oregon, which, contrary to some news reports, is a very pleasant place to live.

Around the neighborhood –

Lots to look at this month while walking – gardens…

Sidewalk art, architecture, and more Portland quirkiness…

Yard creatures…

Homegrown treats…

Asters that survived the roofing, painting and tuck pointing.

Our neighbors shared their abundant tomatoes.

Knitting –

I made progress on my cardigan and a pair of socks. Our local coffee shop, KISS Coffee, has taken to reserving our Friday morning knitting table.

Reading –

Of the eight books I finished in August, my favorite was There Are Rivers In The Sky, by Elif Shafak. It is set in Victorian and modern London, and ancient and modern Mesopotamia, and links several character’s lives through water and literature. There is a hopeful conclusion, despite the hardships endured. I also enjoyed rereading the Elizabeth Von Amin books set in her German garden.

8/19 – A walk in the Wildwood Recreation Area –

This was the only hike for me in August, after our trip to Bandon. Usually August is a prime hiking month for us, but I had to address some health issues. There were many appointments, including PT for my wonky hip. Everything seems to be getting better, so I hope to have many more challenging hikes in the future. But one hot day, we drove up Mt Hood to the Wildwood Recreation Area, which we had not visited before. This is a BLM site, at about 1200 feet elevation, on the Salmon River. There are several miles of mostly flat trails through shady forest, and along the Salmon River. I imagine many school field trips come here because of the easy access, and abundance of educational signage and picnic tables.

Trailhead sign… we walked trails on both sides of the Salmon River.

In the parking lot, I watched a Big Leaf Maple leaf slowly float to the ground.

View to the nearby ridge across a marsh on one of the nature trails.

We saw a few very small fish in the viewing window. Salmon pass through here in spawning season.

The Wildwood Recreation Area was a great spot for some easy forest bathing on a hot summer day.

And lastly –

A few birthday gifts and cards…

An aspirational window sticker seen in the neighborhood…

There is so much going on that I am constantly whiplashing between system overload and full ostrich. It is a challenging time, and yet we will continue to do what we can to be hopeful and helpful.

Bandon, Oregon, August 3-7, 2025

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

We had planned a trip to Mt Rainier for my birthday week. Then my wonky hip started acting up, and my breathing felt really challenged on my last couple of mountain hikes. When my doctor decided I needed a full cardiac work up, we realized that expecting to enjoy hiking the steep trails at Mt Rainier was unrealistic. Luckily, the place we stayed in Bandon last January had a room available, so we pivoted. At the worst, I could sit on the balcony overlooking the beach and stare at the horizon and the wave trains. I could go for some flat walks on the beach, and find a rock to sit on while my husband walked farther. It turned out to be a very good week for us. We had beautiful weather, some lovely beach walks, and so far, all my medical work ups have not turned up anything other than a likely bad reaction to a new medicine I was trying, and being out of shape because of not doing as much hiking as usual while I was in Utah (too hot), and while my husband was recuperating from his neck surgery in the spring. And maybe, just the entropy of being one year older…

8/3 – Bandon Beach South

Our first evening, we took a walk to the south of our hotel…

8/4 – Face Rock North

We were expecting low tide in the afternoon, so a perfect day for walking north from Face Rock, enjoying the beautiful beach and the marine wildlife.

View north from the Face Rock overlook, our destination for the day.

We spent a fair amount of time watching a flock of whimbrels.

I wasn’t the only one beach combing for agates in the swash zone as the tide went out.

Pebbles of many colors. I looked for the smallest one I could find of each color.

Around lunch time, we saw a pod of seals napping on a nearby islet.

Walking back south, we encountered a bit more marine life…

Back at the hotel, we were treated to another lovely sunset.

8/5 – Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks

We drove north to Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks. This road was closed by a landslide when we were here in January. We visited several beach overlooks and a beautiful cove, and then walked in the historic Shore Acres Garden.

Location Map of Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks.

Our first stop was the Shore Acres cliff viewpoints, where we could see dipping sandstone beds and their oddly eroded concretions. It reminded me of the shoreline at Point Lobos, in California. The one other time I was here, it was windy and there were huge waves. Today, it was very calm.

Tide pools in the dipping sandstone beds.

Looking south from some of the viewpoints:

Viewing Gazebo, on the far left – a protected viewpoint for windy days, built on the site of the historic Simpson Mansion.

Another view of the dipping sandstones and eroding concretions.

We drove farther south in the park, to the Simpson Reef Overlook.

View to Simpson Reef, with seals and sea lions. It was very noisy, with the sound of the marine mammals barking!

Seals piled up on the beach, and on the rocks.

Farther south along this dead end road is Cape Arago. We walked the short trail to the North Cove overlook.

Looking north from the northern tip of Cape Arago…

And then we walked the short trail down to the South Cove.

Next, we walked through the Shore Acres Gardens.

We drove back to Bandon, and had a delicious fish and chips dinner at the harbor.

8/6 – Port Orford and Cape Blanco

Another beautiful, calm day on the Oregon Coast. We drove south to Port Orford, where we had been once before, in 2007, to see the views and the beaches. We walked the trails at Port Orford Head, to the viewpoints, then had lunch at nearby Battlerock State Beach.

Port Orford Head is the site of an historic Coast Guard Museum.

The trails go through the woods, and emerge onto cliff edge viewpoints

View to the north. Cape Blanco, in the distance, where we would end our day.

Zoom in on Cape Blanco light house through the mist.

Lunch stop at Battlerock Beach:

My husband took a walk down Battlerock Beach, while I sat on a rock and admired the views.

View to the north, toward Port Orford Head, where we hiked earlier today, and Port Orford harbor.

A large outcrop of serpentinite in the beach cliff.

Artwork in the nearby Visitor Center, made of upcycled marine debris.

On to Cape Blanco, remembering our lovely walk here in January.

Once again I mostly stayed put while my husband took a much longer walk.

I could sit all day, watching the waves as the tide receded.

By the time we returned to our hotel, mist had rolled in all along the coast, so there was no sunset view.

8/7 – Home again, home again, jiggity jig

The next day, we drove home, passing over one of the beautiful Art Deco bridges on the Oregon Coast.

It had been a lovely week, despite my hiking limitations. I brought home some agates, postcards, and a few small birthday gifts, along with my memories.

Return to Bird Creek Meadows, Mt Adams, WA, July 22, 2025

August 30, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

We hiked again where we have hiked before, through the lush wildflower meadows on the southern slopes of Mt Adams, on the Yakama Nation Tract D. We started at Bird Lake, and went counterclockwise uphill to the Hell Roaring Viewpoint of Mt Adams, then down along the Round the Mountain Trail and back to the lake (~5.5 miles, 1000 feet). We saw wildflowers, waterfalls, and some views through the burned forest, on a day when we only had fleeting glimpses of the mountain itself. The wildflower meadows were ‘beyond category’ today, and I took a lot of pictures!

Lower trail, from Bird Lake to Bluff Lake:

Bird Lake. Mountain not out, but pretty reflections in the lake.

Partridgefoot and lupine on the lower trail.

Next, continuing uphill to the Round the Mountain Trail:

Staircase Falls, just below the Round the Mountain Trail.

And continuing above the Round the Mountain Trail, on the Trail of Flowers, we finally had a glimpse of Mt Adams from under the clouds.

Bracted lousewort, with more magenta paintbrush and lupine

Orange paintbrush, yellow ‘daisies’ of some sort, and white sitka valerian.

And another view of Mt Adams as we hiked up to the next rock ledge.

The ledge along the upper Trail of Flowers Loop provides a view to the landscape to the south.

Looking south toward Oregon – blue arrow pointing to the smoke plume from the Burdoin Fire.

Closer view of the Burdoin Fire smoke plume.

And a wider view across the southern flanks of Mt Adams, and its ghostly forest, burned several times in the past twenty years.

We continued upward through more meadows to the Hellroaring Viewpoint…

Hellroaring Viewpoint – top of the mountain back under the clouds.

We retraced the trail back to the Trail of Flowers, then down to the Round the Mountain Trail, and continued westward through numerous meadows divided by small creeks that are all branches of Bird Creek.

And more meadows! Next we crossed a slight rise, and then descended to our start point, by going down the Crooked Creek drainage…

This slope along Crooked Creek was so colorful!

The slopes below Crooked Creek Falls are heavily burned, but the creeks are still colorful with flowers…

Monkey flower, lupine, Sitka valerian, paintbrush

And back to Bird Lake…

Back to Bird Lake, partial view of Mt Adams this afternoon.

Meanwhile, dark clouds formed a backdrop for these glowing ghost trees

And a last view of Mt Adams from the gravel road down.

It was a “wildflower bathing” day on the slopes of Mount Adams!

Thoughts on the Burdoin Fire, Columbia River Gorge, WA, July 2025

August 29, 2025 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

Part 1 – in real time…

I wrote most of this post in July, as this event unfolded.

The Burdoin Mountain Fire started on Friday, July 18th, near Coyote Wall: a hot day, an east wind, and whoosh, by Sunday, July 20th, it had burned all the way east to the Klickitat River. In Portland, I followed news reports of evacuations of homes and families and communities; of firefighters on the ground and planes scooping water out of the Columbia River. I kept checking the map on the Watch Duty App – as the red line crept east, remembering all of the many hours we have spent in the fall, winter and spring, hiking the open grassy slopes and rocky cliffs above the river. Wildflowers and fall colors, all captured in my mind’s eye, and stored on my computer hard drive photo files…

July 19th fire boundary – Screenshot from the Watch Duty App.

July 24th fire boundary. Screenshot from the Watch Duty App

The biggest concern is for the area residents and their homes. I was keeping my fingers crossed for my favorite trees, too. I hoped the speed of the fire as it traveled through the grass would cause the conflagration to bypass some of the trees:

The guide tree above Rowland Lake – a tall ponderosa pine near the spot where we often have lunch when hiking the Labyrinth – it overlooks many of the trails here in its high perch – will it still be there?

Arrow pointing to the guide tree – from near the Labyrinth trailhead above Rowland Lake, October 24, 2024.

Guide ponderosa as seen from Rowland Wall, April 20, 2018.

Guide ponderosa from the west as we hike toward our lunch stop and turnaround point, December 16, 2017.

Lunch stop near the ponderosa, with all the eastern gorge on view, October 17, 2023.

Also along the Labyrinth Trail, my favorite oak grove:

Labyrinth oak grove in the spring, May 17, 2025.

Labyrinth oak grove in the fall, October 27, 2021.

The solitary oak tree that perches on the cliff edge is always photogenic, as seen going uphill, to the east:

And downhill, to the west:

On the way down, I always say goodbye to the one-eyed oak sentinel on the lower trail:

I have been browsing my photo library, and there are so many other beautiful trees there. As the red fire boundary moved farther east on the map, to the Catherine Creek slopes, I thought of the many ponderosa pines, and the small oak groves, including those guarding the fairy ponds:

Even farther east, there is my ‘ent’, a snag guarding the eastern slope where there is always so much birdsong in spring, and so many flowers!

Next I see fire has made its way all the way east to the Balfour-Klickitat Reserve where we go to see the juvenile bald eagles practicing flight in the small lagoon off of the mouth of the Klickitat River every winter…

We are in the Schroedinger phase…that is, all I know is the fire outline on the map, that keeps spreading eastward. I don’t know what has burned and what has survived.

Part 2 – Preliminary outcome report

As of this writing (late July), the fire is contained, evacuations lifted. Tragically, 19 homes were destroyed and 47 were damaged. No lives were lost. Local people have reported that the burned area was patchy in nature. Many trees were spared. The local residents have a difficult path ahead. Land managers will be monitoring the trail situation. We don’t usually hike here in summer. When the weather turns to cooler temperatures, I hope to find myself on these trails again, to visit my trees and report back.

View north toward the Burdoin Fire area from the Mosier Plateau, April 21, 2025, taken before the fire. All of this area north of the Columbia River is in the burn zone, from Coyote Wall, on the west, past the Catherine Creek slopes on the eastern edge, and farther east, all the way to the Klickitat River. The arrow points to my guide ponderosa, on the slope above the Labyrinth.

July 2025 – A day at the Oregon coast

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

A hot day inland- a good day to go west to the Oregon Coast and walk on one of our favorite beaches, deliciously foggy at first, then sunny.

7/17 – Hug Point

We first walked over the old road at Hug Point – our timing was such that tide would be coming back in soon…

Then we walked all the way south to Arch Cape, passing our favorite landmarks…

The cave – with an addition – a giant stump stranded on the rock ledge –

with a few sea stars among the barnacles and mussels.

Walking south toward Arch Cape, fog starting to disperse. Photo credit to my husband.

Lunch view near Arch Cape, with a flock of sea gulls.

And the walk north – about five miles round trip today.

The seagull flock accompanied us most of the way.

Hiking, July 2025, Mt Hood, OR

August 23, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Of our five hikes in July, three were on or near Mt Hood.

7/3 – Picnic Rock and Umbrella Falls

This hike begins at the Elk Meadows trailhead. We walked uphill along flower-filled ski runs of Mt Hood Meadows, and across to the knob called Picnic Rock. We visited Umbrella Falls, then circled downhill through flower-filled forest to complete the loop.

Trail map, about 6 miles, 1000 feet elevation.

Flowers along the uphill trail…

This was a blooming bear grass year in the ski run slopes, with a view of Mt Hood

At Picnic Rock we had great views…

Ascending Picnic Rock – Mt Jefferson off to the right.

Closer look at Mt Jefferson and more Cascade Peaks to the south.

Looking east toward Bluegrass Ridge (burned in 2006), above Elk Meadows.

Penstemon clinging to the face of Picnic Rock.

We passed back through the bear grass meadows on our way to Umbrella Falls.

On the downhill trail, we passed through meadows full of sitka valerian, and swampy areas full of shooting stars and buttercups. Once in the forest, the Oregon anemones were sparkling up in abundance.

This was only my second time doing this hike, but it has become a favorite! Especially at this particular time in the bloom season. I hope to be back to explore some of the other trails in the Mt Hood Meadows area.

7/10 – Lookout Mountain

The next week, we hiked the short, sweet (3 miles, 550 feet) loop to Lookout Mountain from High Prairie trailhead. We have done this one many times, and it never gets old! The lower part of the trail crosses a couple of large meadows.

Shooting stars, buttercups and bistort at the High Prairie Trailhead.

Eventually, we ascended to the ridge where views opened up…

Mt Hood ahead, with paintbrush, scarlet gillia, and lupine.

Close up of the southern flank, where we were hiking last week near Mt Hood Meadows.

Cooper Spur, and the Eliot Glacier, near where we will hike at the end of the month.

Mt Hood from the top of Lookout Mountain.

Mt Jefferson and the other Cascade Mountains to the south, with ground squirrel.

Lots of wildflowers to look at here, as well…

The summit slope has tufts of wildflowers.

Sulphurous buckwheat, transitioning from red-orange to yellow.

More views on the return trail…

The iconic volcanic spire, with Mt Hood beyond,

The main challenge for this hike is the slow bumpy road up to the 6000 foot trailhead.

7/10 – Cloud Cap Shelter and Timberline Trail High Point via the East Eliot Moraine.

This long favorite hike also begins with a long bumpy drive up gravel switchbacks, and through a burned ghost forest. From the Cloud Cap Saddle Campground we hiked about up along the crest of the East Eliot Moraine to the Cloud Cap Shelter for lunch. Then we continued south along the Timberline Trail, the high point, about 7300′, for a total of about 5 miles, 1500 feet.

From the crest of East Eliot Moraine, our trail goes up hill toward the Eliot Glacier.

We crossed south toward the Cloud Cap Shelter for our lunch break.

Lunch view of Mt St Helens through the haze.

Also, Mt Adams to the north, beyond the Hood River Valley; and Cloud Cap Inn, near our trailhead, on lower near right.

Cloud Cap Shelter; Cooper Spur and Mt Hood beyond.

After enjoying a good rest rest in the shade at the shelter, as it was a hot day, and I was having trouble with the uphillness of it all, we decided to continue on to the trail high point.

We crossed a few snow banks in the shaded wrinkles of the mountain.

Then we retraced our steps, back along the seemingly barren slopes, with lots of subalpine flowers blooming amid the rocks.

Our trail carved out of the edge of the sky.

Tufts of yarrow and buckwheat on the slopes.

As we walked the Timberline Trail beneath the Eliot Moraine, I spotted the giant teetering boulder that I have noticed in previous years. It’s still there…

Teetering boulder on the edge of the Eliot Moraine

Lewis monkey flowers, asters, and lupine in Tilly Jane Creek, almost back to the trailhead.

Another enjoyable day on Mt Hood. I was really out of shape this year – life circumstances have interrupted my spring hike season. This hike, which I have done easily before, was hard! I hope I will be in better shape for the next time!

Next..

Our other July hikes were on Mt Adams, and at the Oregon Coast – to be reported in the next posts.

June 2025, walking and hiking

July 14, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

June 19, 2025 – Juneteenth walk up Alameda Ridge

Having been out of town for two weeks in southern Utah where it was too hot to walk outside or exercise, and I was otherwise engaged in helping a family member with a health care situation; Having returned, exhausted, and happy to be in my own home quietly for a couple of days; Having successfully taken a couple of slow neighborhood walks in the flatlands…

Today I felt I had the energy to walk up to Alameda Ridge and do a few stair repeats. Success! And once again, I am charmed by my neighborhood where I am so lucky to live. Front yards are in bloom and colorful; and today it is only in the mid60s; how lovely to be able to walk outside without being dried and desiccated by the sun. I lived seven years in Tucson, I know dry heat; I knew my survival strategies then. The two weeks of abrupt immersion in the heat and aridity in Utah were exhausting; but now I am recovering. Soon I will be walking in mountains again.

Today I walked my way up the hill, and noticed all the whimsy throughout my neighborhood. It is part of the keep Portland weird vibe. Little doors on trees, little houses under bushes, interesting little signs painted on the sidewalk stair cases of Alameda. Little free libraries throughout my neighborhood.

I also looked at each poetry post – today there was Emily Dickinson‘s, ‘Hope is a thing with feathers’, on one signpost. My favorite poetry post, the one I never miss if I am up in that neighborhood, had a very hopeful, expressive poem today for these terrible times we are living in, with the authoritarian effort to crush anything progressive, kind, diverse, multicultural, and human in our country.

Also up on the ridge today, there is that one house with a flagpole – today they were flying three flags, the Pride flag, the Juneteenth flag, which I had never seen before, and the Ukrainian flag.

How positive those signs are to me just wandering my way through the neighborhood on a beautiful early summer day with flowers blooming everywhere. Birdfeeders and gnome doors and buckets of water on offer for the dogs; signs and flags and symbols of inclusion and acceptance and community. Our quiet mostly white, mostly financially stable neighborhood is not in the firing line of ICE raids, but I have seen my neighbors going to the demonstrations and standing in the space to support the resistance.

I did a few stairway repeats on the ridge today – and now I am ready for our next hike of the week in the mountains.

June 24, 2025 – Anthill, Herman Creek and Pacific Crest Trails near Wahtum Lake, Oregon

We usually hike to Chinidere Mountain from this trailhead near Wahtum Lake, but I was curious to try the Anthill Trail toward Tomlike Mountain, which is another rocky peak in the area.

Trail map – about 6 miles and 800 feet elevation gain.

The Anthill Trail begins above the parking area, and continues upward at a gentle gradient along the ridge above the lake. It is beautifully shaded, and on this June day, all the white flowers of the forest floor were sparkling up at us. This is a new addition to my list of favorite trails.

Beargrass along the trail as we start uphill.

Green forest floor with so many flowers the entire way. Lots of vanilla leaf in this section.

Continuing shaded trail with prolific Sitka valerian

Near the ridge crest, a rocky view opened up, back to Mt Hood and Wahtum Lake.

View to Mt Hood and Wahtum Lake, with beargrass

Yellow flowers on the sunny open slope – arnica, groundsel, Oregon sunshine and wallflowers

We continued along the Anthill Trail, to the spur that ascends Tomlike Mountain. This is a less well maintained trail, a little rockier. After eating lunch at a rocky viewpoint and admiring the view, we decided begin our return hike. It was another rocky mile to the top – I wasn’t quite ready for that today.

Rocky outcrop, and view to the top of Tomlike Mountain.

We decided to walk along the Herman Creek Trail toward Chinidere Mountain before returning to the trailhead. We walked through shady forest for least a half mile of blooming avalanche lilies, as far as one could see, across the forest floor. And a few beargrass as well.

My husband took the side trail to the top of Chinidere Mountain, while I continued a very short distance along the Pacific Crest Trail to the rocky open slope below Chinidere’s cliff side. From here I could see many of the sunny blooming cliff flowers above me, and a view back to Mt Hood the other way. Then I rested in the shade near the trail junction – it was beautiful and quiet in the forest!

Looking up at the cliff side of Chinidere Mountain

We completed our circuit by descending along the Pacific Crest Trail above the lake.

Bunchberry and coral root were prolific along our return trail.

This had been a thoroughly enjoyable hike. We had seen some of the wildflowers blooms at their best, though there are more to come. It was lovely to be back in the woods!

May 2025, Columbia River Gorge Wildflower Hikes

June 3, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

We went on five hikes in May, all in the Columbia River Gorge, following the wildflower bloom…

May 6 – Lyle Cherry Orchard, WA

Warm and a bit windy today – we got a chance to see the waning balsam root – everyone’s favorite!

Purple ookow blooming on the Convict Road.

Ookow and the seedpods of Columbia desert parsley

On our drive home, we stopped briefly at the Catherine Creek Trailhead so I could get a peek at the bitterroot that blooms there – probably my only chance this season.

And there it was, on the rocky outcrop just above the parking lot.

Lewisia rediviva, bitterroot – one of my all time favorites!

May 10 – Cape Horn, WA

Tall larkspur season at Cape Horn – it is always a treat to walk on the neatly groomed trails here. Today we started at Strunk Road, and walked to one of the lower overlooks – less than two miles, but with rain in the forecast for the next few days, we took our opportunity.

White fringe cup and candy flower also prolific today.

Nancy Russell Overlook – we stop to look at the view and say, “Thank you!” to Nancy Russell for her conservation work.

Continuing downward, the purple path continues…

A few other flowers tucked in – Hooker’s fairy bells,

May 13 – Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop, OR

Back again to this five mile long, 1500 foot loop.

We began at Multnomah Falls, and started west along the old highway toward Wahkeena Falls.

After passing Wahkeena Falls, the trail ascends up many wildflower-filled switchbacks,

to Lemmon’s Viewpoint, overlooking the Columbia River.

Continuing up Wahkeena Creek, past Fairy Falls,

passing more wildflowers along the way. Columbia windflowers, and salal

After a lunch break at the trail junction, we walked eastward toward Multnomah Creek. This part of the trail has always felt rather magical to me – mostly flat, through a forest of tall firs. The undergrowth has changed a bit since the 2017 fire, but it is still one of my favorite places.

2013 Lookback – Magical trail before the fire.

May 2025, Lots of redstem ceanothus filling the forest floor under the burned trees.

Still very pretty, and with a view to the river…

More wildflowers along the trail as it descends into Multnomah Creek – thimbleberry, columbine, arnica.

Back to the trailhead at the bottom of Multnomah Falls.

May 22 – Cape Horn, WA, again

We wanted to take our son and his fiancee for a hike – though they didn’t bring proper shoes, and it was a bit rainy. We settled for going back to the tall larkspur-lined path from Strunk Road to the Nancy Russell Overlook at Cape Horn. It was less than two weeks since our previous visit, the tall larkspur were even more profuse, and the cow parsley were starting to spread their umbrella heads. Lovely, even with a bit of our Oregon sunshine misting us.

Previous week, May 10, with older hiking gentleman.

Same path, May 22nd, with cow parsley and a cute young couple.

May 27 – The Labyrinth, WA

The Labyrinth was one of the first trails we ever hiked in the eastern gorge, and we have returned many times. The path winds through piles of columnar basalt that provide some protection from the wind, and the views are great! Wildflowers change throughout the bloom season. Today was the first time I have seen this particular suite of flowers – blue and purple bachelor buttons and ookow; white buckwheat, yarrow, and mock orange; pink clarkia and onions; all accompanied by a full gauntlet of poison oak.

The first surprise – abundant wildflowers surrounding the Lower Labyrinth Waterfall on the old highway approach trail – mock orange, bachelor button, ookow, buckwheat, and monkeyflowers

More mock orange, poppies and buckwheat, the Columbia River, and Mt Hood.

Starting up the trail along Labyrinth Creek –

Buckwheat, golden grass with late season flowers.

Ookow, and bachelor buttons. The bachelor buttons are considered disturbed, but they do add a pretty color to the late season wildflower suite.

Continuing up along Labyrinth Creek –

Monkey flowers surrounding the upper waterfall

Homage to the poison oak gauntlet that we carefully walked through today.

Colorful slopes beneath one of the volcanic buttes.

My favorite oak grove, with a lush poison oak understory.

Lunch views, with mule deer…

It was getting warm, and I was losing my uphill motivation, but I wanted to go a little higher, to the rocky bluff where bitterroot blooms.

As I expected, the bitterroot is shriveled up – I’ll have to wait until next year.

Looking farther uphill, toward the slopes that lead to Coyote Wall – green grass turning to gold.

Another look at Mt Hood, then we begin the return hike…

I didn’t notice these White Brodiaea on the way up.

And past the waterfall again on our return to the trailhead.

It was beautiful day in the Labyrinth. But it is getting too hot for me in the eastern gorge – we may not be back until fall! I am going to southern Utah in June, where it is already very HOT, to help a family member. I may not hike much in the next month, but there will be red rocks and possibly some dinosaur tracks…

April 2025, on the trail, in search of wildflowers

May 22, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

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.

Ponderosas reflected in a vernal pool, and yellow desert parsley.

Our trail passed above the ent who guards the slope…

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.

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 view from the western tunnel entrance on a windy day.

There are five or six viewing windows in the 600 foot long tunnel.

View from the eastern opening toward the highway and the eastern gorge.

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.

Northward, toward the river – clumps of bright yellow balsam root bloom becoming more abundant.

On the windy plateau, looking west down the Columbia River and toward Mosier.

Northern view, looking directly at Coyote Wall in Washington

A 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 plectritis

Cell tower osprey – the bird can see the Willamette River near Oregon City from their perch.

Trillium 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.

Several paths wind through open slopes of camas lilies.

A 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.

Bastard 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…

The 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.

Thus, we enjoyed another month of wildflower hikes, with more to come in May.