Balfour Klickitat Day Use Area — Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA

Friends of the Columbia Gorge consider this the best place to see eagles in the Gorge and have organized outings on week-ends in January and February to view the eagles. You can check dates and register at:www.gorgefriends.org/bald eagles From Hwy 14 at milepost 75.8, turn north onto Old HWY 8. In 0.2 mile turn right to the TH and parking. (Across the river is the Lyle TH for the Klickitat Trail.) The sign says this is a one mile ADA loop trail, but one can add distance by walking along the fence line which overlooks the river. There is a picnic table near the fence line. There were several Osage Orange trees near the beginning of the trail with their rotting fruits lying on the ground beneath. Pine, oak trees and cottonwoods were also present. We saw about 25 bald eagles in various stages of growth. Most were immatures. Lewis's woodpeckers and scrub jay were also seen. Dead salmon and a few remaining spawning salmon were seen at the mouth of the creek which entered the Klickitat River. We walked a short spur trail off the ADA trail on our return to the TH.