Weekend hike

Well since it is spring and the weather is supposed to be getting nice and sunny, but in the Pacific Northwest that would mean it is July…. All kidding aside, the weather can be quite winter like in spring. This last weekend was no exception, with snow in the mountains and rain in the valleys it was like a January day.

So I decided to escape the gray wet skies and head east through the Columbia River gorge looking for sun. The Cascade Mountains block a lot of the weather so on the east side of the range the weather can be nice and sunny, while to the west a few miles it is cold and raining. This is exactly what I found.  

The easy hour drive along the river was pleasant with only a few spot of rain, then the sun… Finally I could see the blue skies and feel some spring time warmth. I drove to the Catherine Creek trail head on the Washington side of the river, just five miles east of the town of Hood River. There I parked and walked the easy trail up to the ridge for some nice views of the water and was rewarded with a crop of new spring flowers.

Since this is an area formed by volcanic activity, the rock is all basalt and has many interesting formations. A carpet of vegetation is doing its best to cover the hard dark rock, but in some areas the rock protrudes and forms interesting features. Once at the top of the ridge, the river unfolds and the mountains peak through the clouds.

A short rest on the slopes allowed for some opportunities to photograph the new flowers, though the hike was very easy and not strenuous at all. After spending a couple of hours enjoying the sun and view, I walked back down to the car, and headed into Hood River for some lunch.

The drive back to Portland was just as easy and though I was driving back to the clouds and rain, I still had the images of the hike in my mind.

If you want to go, drive east on Highway 84 from downtown Portland. It is about 70 miles to Hood River and can be driven in about one hour. You will need to cross the Columbia River and turn right heading east on the Washington side. Drive about four miles then turn left onto the Old Lyle White Salmon Rd. Drive about one mile and you will see the trail head and parking. There is no fee, there is not much amenities either, though there is a paved trail on the south side of the road that makes a short loop. Head north up the hill and simply follow the path.