Hikeoftheweek.com

Hike of the Week for Friday, June 3, 2011

Tom McCall Point

Legendary Columbia River Gorge Wildflower Display

Article and photo by Craig Romano

Gorgeous flowers and Columbia Gorge Views.

Quick Facts

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Land Agency: Oregon Nature Conservancy and Mayer State

Roundtrip: 3.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet

Notes: Dogs prohibited; Trail closed from Nov 1 through Apr 30 to limit tread damage.

Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S (coming 2012)

Contact: Oregon Nature Conservancy; The Dalles Office (541) 298-1802; www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oregon

More information: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge (The Mountaineers Books 2011)

Access: From Portland follow I-84 east to Mosier Exit 69. Then continue east on US 30 (Historic Columbia Highway) for 6.6 miles to the Rowena Crest Viewpoint and trailhead.

A Nature Conservancy preserve named after an Oregon conservation champion, over 200 species of plants thrive here including several endemic only to the Columbia River Gorge. The McCall Preserve is legendary among wildflower aficionados. From spring throughout summer, wildflowers carpet the peak’s open slopes, accent its abrupt ridges, and decorate its oak and pine groves in a multitude of brilliant colors. Birders too will delight here. The preserve is home to western meadowlarks, canyon wrens and horned larks.

Follow a well trodden trail across the edge of basalt cliffs coming to an old road at the base of a talus slope. Turn left here skirting talus and then climbing onto an upper plateau that explodes with blossoms in the spring. Lupine and balsamroot dominate, streaking the countryside in purple and gold. Continue climbing—and continuing awing at the amazing arrangement of wildflowers—grass widows, prairie stars, shooting stars, Indian Paintbrush, Oregon sunshine—the list goes on!

The trail does a short stint along a steep ridgeline before weaving back across sun-kissed grassy slopes. Continue climbing some more—eventually cresting the round grassy summit of McCall Point. Then soak up as much sun and scenic splendor that your little heart desires. Look east to the Columbia Hills, west to Mount Defiance king of the gorge, north to massive Mount Adams, and south to iconic Mount Hood.

For more information, pick up a copy of Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge.

June 4th is the last day to enter our contest to win two of my guidebooks (Day Hiking North Cascades and Day Hiking Central Cascades). Just correctly guess how much snow will be on the ground at the Paradise Ranger Station at Mt Rainier National Park on Father's Day (June 19). Visit www.snohomish.org/index.php?page_id=597 for details and to make your prediction!