Go East, young man on I-84 cross the Columbia River at either Cascade Locks or Hood River and proceed Eastward on SR-14 to Lyle, Washington. At the mouth of the Klickitat River, you will find this new trailhead with a fine bathroom. The mouth of the Klickitat is a good place to see Osprey and Bald Eagles (they do not like to have their pictures taken). The Klickitat trail is over 35 miles long and is a former rail bed.
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| Wild roses |
The trail is wide and gravelled - suitable for biking. The anonymous hiker thinks it is too civilized. Perhaps he does not appreciate the lupines blooming next to the trail.
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| Blue Dicks (named for it's genus - Dichelostemma) |
We left our dogs at home. Certainly it is an on-leash trail - steep drop off to the river below and more poison oak here than I have ever seen in my life! It was a bit cool for rattlesnakes today.
Love that Oregon Sunshine!
(
Eriophyllum lanatum)
Views of the Klickitat River - a wild and scenic river which has a Native dip net fishery - they were not fishing today.
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| the river rushes through a narrow chasm |
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| Garry Oak and Ponderosa Pine trees along the river |
On the way home, we stopped at Catharine Creek Natural Area to check out the flowers.
Mr. Thornsby wanted to see the Bitterroot blooming.
And stop at the Solstice Cafe in Bingen, Washington (on SR 14) for some excellent pizza. They have a wood fired oven there and a full dinner menu.
