A nice early spring day. A good time to do the four-mile loop hike in the Tualatin Hills Nature Park a few miles west of home in the heart of the city of Beaverton. The 222-acre Park surrounds the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek and Beaverton Creek.

It is a remarkably diverse wildlife preserve with wetlands, forests, ponds and streams. The trails’ names tell the story – – – Oak, Creek, Old Wagon, Vine Maple, Big Fir, Cougar, Chickadee, Cedar Grove, Ash, Serviceberry, Big Pond, Trillium Loop and Ponderosa Loop.

The highlight of the hike was spotting several garter snakes enjoying the sun. Always a pleasant place to visit.

Garter Snake taking a sun break

Colorful Skunk Cabbage

Trillium

Summit of Dog Mountain from earlier trip to the Columbia Gorge

Stream Violet

Oaks Toothwort

Fawn Lily