TR: Spectacular Spring Blooms in the Columbia Gorge

My family took a weekend trip last weekend to the east end of the Columbia Gorge where the wildflowers are in full force.  Many say that this is an epic year for the balsam root sunflowers, and I do believe I'd agree - as we drove to the area we could see entire mountains looking like they were painted gold.  We hiked the lower trail at the Tom McCall Preserve, where I had once been on a college botany field trip some 18 years ago.  This trail traverses volcanic mesa tops and rounds a beautiful pond where many birds were twittering away.  Then on Sunday we went across the river to Columbia Hills State Park and were blown away by the beauty of the flowers set against a backdrop of stunning blue sky and brilliantly white snow-covered Mt. Hood.  We could also see Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams in the distance.  We hiked about 2 miles there (would've gone further, but my son sprained his ankle a few weeks ago and he can only hike so far, and he's getting big so I can't carry him much further!) Besides the balsam root we also saw lupine, phlox, filaree, camas, poppies, and parsley in bloom.  My son loved the tiny filaree and phlox flowers most of all.  He also found a little acorn at a creek crossing that he wanted to take home. I am trying to teach him LNT so persuaded him to leave it there, planting it and watering it beneath its "Mommy Tree".  We also had fun talking to fellow photographers and flower nuts.  What a weekend!  Just what I needed, as we've been spending a lot of time fixing up and moving into our new home in Pendleton.  

















More photos here www.tarol.com/spring16.html