Columbia Gorge Wildflowers

PaigeP — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:28:47 +0000

The Columbia River Gorge is carpeted with wildflowers in the spring. On both the Washington side and the Oregon side of the river, beginning in March, you can see a wide array of beautiful flowers. The landscape of the Columbia River dividing the two states is a series of high plateaus and sweeping meadows with a steep gorge along the river. It is because of this that spring gives rise to hundreds of different species of wildflowers including Chocolate Lilies, Wild Irises, Blue-eyed Grass, Grass Widow, Camas, Glacier Lilies, Shooting Stars, Desert Parsley, Bitter Root, Balsam Root, Lupines and Paintbrushes.

Where to view the flowers:

The Catherine Creek trail and/or the Tom McCall Nature Preserve are the best sites offering easy hikes for exploring and viewing wildflowers. Both lie in the transition zone between the damp western end of the Gorge and the drier eastern side. Their location contributes to a diversity of wildflowers that runs to more than 200 different species, some unique to the Columbia River Gorge.

Other helpful links:

Tom McCall Preserve

Michelle Petersen Real Estate » Wildflowers

Columbia Gorge Wildflowers