Catherine Creek hike

Brian and I hiked around near Catherine Creek yesterday. It is known for wildflowers March - May and we saw quite a few. I tried to take photos but the camera on my phone is definitely tuned for people and scenery shots, most of the flower shots did not turn out. Below are few of the better ones. I found the names on wildflowersearch.com, although any errors in ID are certainly mine alone.

I really like these upside down orange guys but I couldn't find them on the flower naming site.

Columbia Gorge desert parsley. We thought these guys looked a bit like the fennel that grew in Santa Barbara.

Poet's shooting star flowers.

Naked broomrape flowers.

Bigseed biscuitroot amongst the rocks. Sister to the desert parsley and also very fennel-like.

The hike itself was beautiful. We paralleled Catherine Creek for about 1/2 mile and got to hear it burble.The land had been used for sheep and cattle in the past and had some old wooden fences still and rolls of barbed wire about. The trail traveled through open meadow with large grassy areas and areas with rocks sticking out. It was a ~5 mile loop with 1500 feet of elevation gain. We could see down into the Columbia the whole way. About halfway up we got high enough to see Mt. Hood but it was covered in clouds. We got a better view from the Hood River bridge on our way home. 

View east up the Columbia.

Brian doing his thing.

Old livestock pen by Catherine Creek.