Ash Creek Images
Photographs of the West by Doug Gorsline
A Deer Trail Leads Through the Wildflowers at Catherine Creek, Washington.
This photo was taken at Catherine Creek, a hiking and wildflower viewing area between Hood River and The Dalles on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Catherine Creek is a large area that includes an accessible trail, improved hiking trails, and primitive trails. The trail in this photo was made by deer, instead of people.
The pink flowers are Rosy Plectritis, Plectritis congesta, Valerian Family. The white flowers are the Bicolored Cluster Lily, Brodiaea howellii, Lily Family. The blue flowers in the background are Common Camas, Camassia quamash, Lily Family. Wildflowers begin to bloom as early as January at Catherine Creek, but the real show begins in late February. From then until late May, a succession of flowers is in bloom.
The Camas root was a staple food of Native Americans in this region, as well as across much of the American West.
