Wildflower Hiking
Spring is one of the best times to view wildflowers in Portland and the Columbia River Gorge. If you want to avoid a crowd while seeing the best wildflowers the region has to offer, travel on these lesser known trails. As always, leave no trace, stay on the path, and don’t pick the flowers.
Balsamroot glows in the sun.
Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn has a stunning display of native flowers April thru June, including Camas Lillies. The path is a less than a mile, mostly flat, and has a delightful wooden boardwalk. Leave the pups at home for this one- this nature preserve does not allow dogs
Memaloose Hills near Mosier, OR is a wildflower paradise from April to June. Memaloose Hills is a 3 mile hike through wildflower fields and forest. This hike is typically uncrowded, but during the spring, plan on visiting during a weekday if possible. The trailhead is also located near a cliff, so parking is limited here. If you aren’t able to park at Memaloose Hills, Mosier Plateau and Rowena Plateau are good alternatives for less crowded hikes with similar wildflowers and views. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife- deer call this area home, as do ticks and rattlesnakes. Dogs are allowed at Memaloose Hills and Mosier Plateau, but leave pup at home if you head to Rowena Plateau or Tom McCall Point hikes- these are both natural preserves that do not allow dogs.
A group event for BIPOC hikers at Rowena Plateau.
I saved the best for last. Klickitat Access Trail’s Swale Canyon is a relatively unknown hike outside of Lyle, WA. This 15 mile one-way hike used to be a railroad. Now it is a wide, relatively gentle trail that winds down through Swale Canyon and up along lonely hillsides full of flowers. I started my hike through the canyon at Harms Rd Trailhead, and headed towards the wooden platforms. As you head into the canyon, the wide vista narrows and you travel alongside a creek. Frogs, songbirds, lizards, and butterflies call this area home. Desert parsley, balsamroot, and dozens of other wildflower species line the trail and the steep slopes on either side of the canyon. On a clear day, expect to see Pahto (Mt. Adams) towering over the hills, and look out for Wy’East (Mt. Hood) on the drive back through Lyle.
Desert parsley line the rocks along Klickitat Access Trail.
