Memaloose Hills, Oregon

Since it was still April and cool, we didn't see any rattlesnakes

Despite the warnings we decided to hike here on April 30.  This trail is not marked and directions are vague, but that should never stop you!  Drive East on I-84 to the Memaloose Rest Area.  Then walk uphill. 

The hike starts out in a shady forest

 Is this "ecoroof" intentional or by neglect? This outbuilding was near a water tower.

 Here is Oregon Grape (on the right) and the promised Poison Oak (reddish leaves on the left).  The plant usually appears green and turns red in the fall, but everything we saw was reddish-brown today. Leaves of three - let them be!  An oil on the surface of the leaves and stems can produce a delayed hypersensitivity reaction in some people (myself included).  The itching and irritation can last for weeks and may require medical attention.   Poison Oak is common in the Eastern Gorge, especially near oak trees, and on sunny slopes.  It is a native plant.

There are nice views here despite the dangers

And lots of basalt

Here is one of our native Larkspurs

Memaloose Island, known as Memaloose Ilahee in Chinook, "land of the dead".  It was a Native American burial ground, and the above-ground burial structures and bones were still visible in the early 20th century.

 When you get to the top of the bluff, you find this sign at Memaloose Overlook on the Scenic Hwy.

Lots of Balsamroot and Paintbrush on the way up

Perhaps a favorite food of rattlesnakes, ground squirrels are active at the rest stop