4/11, Saturday. Forecast rain all weekend. Decided to go to eastern Gorge to stay out of the dark clouds.
Heavy rain when we left home. No rain when we stopped at Memaloose rest stop, almost 100 miles east, 2 hours later. We did a clockwise loop, opposite of my hike 2 years ago, starting at the east of the rest area. Fairy Star and Buttercup are exceptional now. Saw a patch of blue Camas next to a dirt road. The hills are covered with Balsamroots, but not in flat area. Few lupines and even fewer paintbrush. Veltch is still small, so is Blue-eyed Mary and Fiddle Neck. Saw only 3 hikers far away. No established trail. Maybe 2 weeks too early. Still a nice ramble for 2 hours in open fields. Yes, poison oaks everywhere. Didn't get any tick, which is common in this type of environment. Rained during the last half an hour. Stopped as soon as we reached the car!
Only one exit east is Rowena Crest, another flower mecca. Again too early. The access road is winding and picturesque. A turkey crossed the road, as we went up. Balsamroots are already blooming. Just not enough other colors. Maybe 5 cars here. McCall Point trail is closed until May 1st. We walked to the cliff edge. I'm surprised to see 2 sizable ponds, 3 deer. Rained again as we turned back, again, stopped when we reached the car. Beautiful rainbow over Columbia River for a good 5 minutes as we drove further east, chased by the rainy clouds.
Deschutes River State Park is at the its confluence of Columbia. Grassy lawn for camping. Good toilet and 4 shower rooms at the RV camping area, only a pit toilet at the tent area ($6/night). For overnight parking (not camping at the state park) is $7. We hiked in searching for a better spot for the night, after filling up water. Nothing dramatic, but very scenic and pleasant, especially the higher trail. April seems to be a good time to come here, before the fishing season starts (May 1st). We hiked in along the river, saw a few anglers. Scored a good area on a plateau overlooking the river. Many Lupine, Bicolored Cluster Lily, and Pungent Desert Parsley. The air smells sage sometime and parsley other times. After pitching the tent, we hiked up a hill with many Balsamroots. Distant hills casted interesting shadows at the setting sun. Cooked dinner in strong wind under dark clouds. Woke up at night for bio break: nice stars, few clouds, wind died down. Trains going on the other side of Deschutes all night long: very loud.
4/12, Sunday. Drizzle before dawn. Weather forecast promised no rain: more hiking options, instead of going further north (my original plan: stay in the dry side). As we hiked out along the high trail, the sun is out. Saw 1 heron flying. Took a picture of this strange fruit on Sagebrush.
Horsethief Lake petroglyph is part of Columbia Hill State Park. Since we didn't arrange for the ranger guided walk, could only see the rocks laid by the road. Some of the drawings are quite elaborate. They were saved before the dams were installed. Horsethief Butte is just next door, also part of the state park. This sunny Sunday, a lot of people here, learning to climb. Balsamroot on trail, view of Columbia River, fun to scramble here.
Wind Mountain is another good hike to see native American heritage. 2.5 mile RT, short but steep, to a top with a rock field on its eastern slope. Semi-circle structures are laid out for vision quest. Good view of Dog Mt and Columbia River. The western slope is usually windy, not today, good view of Columbia River and cultivated land, rain, and highway.
On the way back, we stopped by Wehclella Falls. It's lovely. Short 2 mile lollipop loop along Tanner Creek. One waterfall right by the trail, Mura Falls, so close that it's impossible to see the top or take a good photo. There's a fish release setup along the creek (locked). Wahclella itself is powerful, 2-tiers, water splash onto the trail. Good view from the footbridge without getting wet. There's a small waterfall (maybe seasonal), now a thin veil of water coming down, elegant, can see water droplets as it falls.
