After seeing Starvation Creek Falls and hiking the Rowena Plateau, friend Dan, my favorite model and I crossed the Columbia River at The Dalles and drove to the Catherine Creek Trailhead. We began hiking northeast from the parking area, following a rough trail through the grasslands. After walking a few hundred feet, Dan spotted a few grass widows in bloom.

Their purple splashes of color along the trail brought a grin to our faces. It won’t be long until many of the other early wildflowers are in bloom too. Within one-third mile of the Trailhead, we found a footbridge over Catherine Creek. After crossing it, we headed north to an old coral below a natural arch carved out of the basalt cliffs. To the north, Catherine Creek cut a north-south deep canyon through the basalt. The walk made for a nice outing on a pretty day.

Your Humble Scribe struggling through an “immense” snow bank

Old Corral near Catherine Creek

Grass Widow

Natural Arch near Catherine Creek