Hundreds upon hundreds of delicate pick wild orchids lining the trail. An interesting waterfall I had not spotted before. And, I found out later there was an 80-foot waterfall less than one-fourth mile further up Gorton Creek.

With some sunshine to provide a true spring-like ambiance, I couldn’t help but enjoy myself on a late April weekend day.

Typically I park at the Wyeth Trailhead in the mid-Columbia River Gorge to hike to North Lake or Green Point Mountain – – – 4,000 to 5,000-foot elevation gains. This day I stayed on the Gorge Trail and hiked to Herman Creek near Cascade Locks. A very pleasant, well-maintained trail it was.

All in all, it was about eight miles round trip and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. A nice way to spend a few hours.

Waterworks Falls on Gorton Creek

Oregon Anemone

Trail sign near Herman Creek

Chocolate Lily

Calypso Orchid

Serviceberry

Fairybell

Red-flowering Currant

Calypso Orchid (Fairy Slipper)