We are going to camp at Maryhill SP for 4 nights and after checking in, we drove to the TH for Horsethief Butte hopefully prepared for the strong winds we were about to encounter! I can't remember ever hiking the area when there wasn't wind! Today's wind was somewhat warm which helped make it slightly more tolerable, but very difficult to take individual flower pictures! The balsam root was beautiful and added the most color to the area. Death camas, yellow desert parsley, manroot (wild cucumber), fading fiddle neck, miniature lupine, brodiaea and  blooming red osier dogwood were also seen. As we drove from Goldendale down toward the Columbia River on our way to Maryhill SP, the hills were covered with beautiful balsamroot and lupine which seemed to be at their prime! We are looking forward to doing more hikes in the area!

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.

Such a cool walk! The southeast section of the trail is closed for habitat restoration, but there is a trail that cuts across the butte. It is a fun scramble though not a suitable trail section for dogs as the rocks are really angular and loose. My kids scrambled up and over and the dog and I turned back and walked around the butte in the other direction to meet them. The wildflowers are starting to bloom! We were so glad we went!

Walked the flat trail around the base of the butte about half an hour before sunset. Mt. Hood was out in full glory! So were some serious swarms of bugs, but they didn’t seem to be biting. I was unsure what to expect from the trail description and found the map at the trailhead helpful in illustrating two options; including a photo in case it clarifies for anyone else. 

Just a short walk to a nice overview of horsethief lake. Saw lots of rock climbers up on the basalt columns. Can't wait to bring rope and climb up too! 

Some balsam root blooming. Perfect little walk to stretch your legs before continuing a road trip.