The hike to McCall Point is one of the best for experiencing the spring wildflower show on the east end of the Columbia River Gorge.
The steep open slopes above the Rowena Plateau are suited perfectly for golden balsamroot and purple lupine.
From the summit the Columbia River stretches for many miles in either direction. The snow-covered peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams crown the vistas.
And, to make the adventure even more enjoyable there is a rough series of trails to the east that makes the hike into a lollipop loop, almost always providing a sight of a blacktail deer or two.
Another hike to add to the gold-star list.
Lower trail lined with balsamroot and lupine
Lazuli Bunting
Rowena Plateau from McCall Point
Looking down the Columbia River from McCall Point
Fence Lizard (not much of a poser)
Mt. Adams to the north
Mourning Cloak Butterfly
The Columbia River far below the Rowena Plateau Viewpoint
Blacktail Doe (the harsh midday sun is a bane to photographers)
Balsamroot
Amazing that you know the names for all the flora and fauna, like Mourning Cloak Butterfly
I had some help on that one from Matthew, a kind and helpful expert at the Xerces Society. Originally, I thought it was a tortoiseshell butterfly. By the way, are there public gardens in the Las Vegas area where you can see butterflies?
Beautifully done John. I have yet to get up there this year. Such beauty!!!
Thanks for the kind words. It may be getting a little late for the wildflower show at McCall Point. If it was me, I would head for Dog Mountain this week or next. Augspurger Mountain would be a good choice too.
I didn’t make it to McCall this year, but it was one of my favorite last year. I will have to try one of the places you mentioned in the comment above to SwiitersB if I have time. Are they okay for kids?
Dog and Augspurger Mountains wouldn’t be good choices for kids. They both have lots of elevation gain. You might consider Catherine Creek or The Dalles Mountain Ranch area. And, there are still many flowers on the Rowena Plateau or McCall Point. Lots of good choices.