Hiked the larger loop CCW on the Earth Day. Not much to add to the recent reports, such a beautiful place at this time of year. I think it was the first time I saw lupine and balsam roots blooming together, and large area of desert parsley, some phlox, so colorful.

Right now the upper part along the Eight Mile Creek had the most flowers. On the way up we saw some cars drove further east, where there was another big patch of yellow flowers. People could see Mt Hood above that field from there. Unfortunately the mountain was partially hidden in clouds when we were there.

Wildflowers are peaking! What a gorgeous day at the Gorge.

Arrived just before noon and had no issues finding parking at the Dalles Mountain Ranch trailhead. Definitely less busy today than a year ago, likely due to Easter. There’s a cash pay station at the trailhead in case you don’t already have Discover Pass; credit cards are accepted at the Horsethief Lake trailhead just off WA-14 - plan ahead if you don’t carry cash. Restroom at the trailhead is clean and well stocked.

Did a large loop including portions of Vista and Eightmile Creek trails. Myriads of flowers, emerald grass, fantastic views of the Columbia - right now, this is definitely one of the most beautiful places in WA.

Do check the weather when heading there, and bring layers if strong winds are forecasted (which is almost always). Today’s 60 degrees totally didn’t feel like it with constant 30 mph winds and a stubborn cloud that, albeit small, got stuck straight over the hills, leaving no chances for sunshine to warm things up. Wind chill was 39 degrees according to my phone, which wasn’t exaggeration.

Total 2.5 hrs / 6 miles, lots of time spent admiring flower fields here and there. 

The balsam root and lupine did not disappoint on this windy day at Dalles Mountain Ranch. We walked the smaller loop and were in awe at the yellows and purples. The desert parsley is also abundant along the way. Lots of phlox along the upper route, too. I finished by walking down to the Crawford Owks trailhead while my husband finished the loop to retrieve our car. He definitely made the prettier choice. There wasn’t much to note along the 1.3 miles down to the Crawford Oaks trailhead. Thought the blooming cherry trees were lovely. I found myself wishing I’d turned back and finished the loop. We were short on time, so I ventured onward.

After lunch in Hood River, we headed back over to Washington. The road to the ranch was in good shape. Discover Pass required. Clean vault toilet available. By afternoon it was super windy. The flowers really take a beating. You have to love the wide open space here.
We headed down to Horsethief Butte thinking it may be less windy but we were wrong. Doesn’t matter. Beautiful short hike to the cliff above the river.
So many trails so little time. You can’t go wrong with any of these hikes on either side of the river.

Walked a 5.2 mile clockwise loop from the Dalles Mtn Ranch trailhead -- down the Vista Loop, and back on the Eightmile trail. Yellow Balsamroot, purple lupine, and white phlox were all in full bloom