Rowena Plateau is a delight to visit and to explore in the Columbia River Gorge.
The area is a basalt mesa overlooking the Columbia River. Ice Age floods scoured the top of the plateau.
One can spot kolk lakes, depressions created by the floods, while enjoying the wildflowers on a 2 1/2 mile loop around the plateau.
As an added bonus, I spotted a couple of blacktail deer near the road while driving the short distance to Memaloose Hills.
While photographing them, they literally walked up to me. It made for high-quality shots, but I was on high alert. One should always be careful around wild animals.
Balsamroots in bloom with the Columbia River in the background
McCall Point
A Kolk “Lake”
Serviceberry
Lupine about to bloom
Larkspur
Shooting Star
Blacktail Deer
Blacktail Deer
Blacktail Deer
Blacktail Deer (nice eyelashes)
Blacktail Deer
Blacktail Deer
Townsend Warbler
Great shots of the deer, John. Looks like you were all on high alert. I think the trail to Tom McCall Point (above Rowena) opens May 1st.
You’re right. McCall Point opened today. Doing it with the loop to the east is a joy this time of the year. By the way, it was fun seeing you, Gwen and the fellow members of Trailmix yesterday. The views from the summit of Saddle Mountain were about as nice as they get.
Beautiful Photos! Thanks for bringing a bit of nature into our NYC Office!
Thanks for the kind words. It’s a wonderful time of the year in the Pacific Northwest.
Oh my, we have to get up there before too late!
Now is the time, especially now that McCall Point is open. The wildflowers ought to be at their prime in the summit area. Watch out for the ticks though.