is a well known and popular wildflower viewing area in the eastern Columbia River Gorge. It's located on the Washington side between Lyle and Bingen, north of Highway 14 on Old Route 8. Catherine Creek has a huge variety of wildflowers that bloom from mid-winter into summer.
It's an excellent place to view Grass Widows, Bitterroot, and Camas. Catherine Creek is a publicly owned area with easy access, including an extensive wheelchair accessible trail system. In the spring there is a surprising amount of water present, one reason the wildflowers are so successful here.
Ash Creek Images
Landscape, Nature, and Wildflower Photographs by Doug Gorsline
Columbia River Gorge Native Wildflowers Organized by Location
All materials on this site are copyright 1992-2007 by Doug Gorsline / ashcreekimages.com.
is the actual name of a road and the popular name of a wildflower locale across the river from the City of The Dalles. Dalles Mountain is the summit of the Columbia Hills, a long ridge that follows the north side Columbia River in Washington from Lyle east past Maryhill.
Dalles Mountain Road starts at Highway 14, one mile east of the junction with US 197 north of The Dalles Dam. This good quality gravel road winds through Columbia Hills State Park, passing Dalles Mountain Ranch as it ascends over 2000 feet to the top of the ridge. Balsamroot and lupine put on a spectacular show in April.
encompasses several other locations east of Hood River including the Deschutes River canyon, the Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena Overlook, and random roadside finds along Highway 14 in Washington and Highway 30 in Oregon.
Almost anywhere you look in this area in the spring, something is in bloom. The important thing is to stop, park the car, and get out and walk around, but keep an eye open for poison oak (very common), rattlesnakes (very shy), and ticks (stay out of the brush). This fabulous annual wildflower show is impossible to appreciate at 70 miles an hour on I-84.
presents a different kind of show than the eastern Columbia River Gorge. Because of the greater rainfall west of Hood River and White Salmon, everything is lusher and greener. The flowers grow mostly in sunny openings in the woods (including the shoulders of the roads), rather than the open savanna further east.
The bloom in the west starts later and peaks later. It's a great place for a drive on Mother's Day. Prominent wildflowers include Trilliums, Solomon Plume, Fringe Cup, and Larkspur. Non-natives like Honesty and Woods Forget-Me-Not contribute to the show. The flower display contrasts against a fresh green foliage background.
