This photo shows Bird Creek Meadows on Mount Adams, WA, on the Yakama Indian Reservation. Thousands of people visit the area in July and August to see the spectacular wildflower show in dozens of little meadows like this one.
The wildflower meadows are reached by three different rather steep trails that are 1 to 2 miles in length. There are several miles of hiking trails that wind through Bird Creek Meadows.
This area is part of a small section of the Yakama Reservation that is open to non-tribal members for recreational use. The last time I visited the tribe was collecting a $5.00 day use fee. (Take exact change and a pen - admittance is often self-service.)
There is overnight camping at Bench Lake and Bird Lake for an additional fee. Fishing is permitted at Bench, Bird, and Mirror Lakes for an additional fee. Wilderness camping is not allowed on the reservation.
The area is accessed through Trout Lake, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest's Trout Lake Ranger District office usually has information about when the Yakama Nation has opened the area, and about current road conditions. Bird Creek Meadows is usually open from July 4th weekend through the end of September.
