Phlox Point is the 2,957-foot summit of Hardy Ridge and one of the best destinations for a hike near the Portland area.
It’s located in Beacon Rock State Park at the western end of the Columbia River Gorge.
The trailhead is large and easily accessible, the trail doesn’t see a lot of use, it provides a good workout (10 miles with close to 3,000 feet of elevation gain if the bridge loop is added), and the views along the top of Hardy Ridge are open and far-ranging.
In late March the summit had a few yellow parsley and several glacier lilies in bloom. In another month it will be covered with large patches of purple/lavender spreading phlox (where the summit got its name).
Amazingly enough, on the first day of spring with nice weather I met only one other hiker.
My gear on Phlox Point
Salmonberry
Mt. Hood behind Tanner Butte
Howell’s Violets
Hardy Creek
Trail leading down Hardy Ridge
Hazy look up the Columbia River Gorge
Toothworts
Upper bridge over Hardy Creek
Sweet Colt’s Foot
Mt. Adams
Summit-approach trail
Beautiful pictures John. I really appreciate all the work you have done and the names of each flower. So many times when I am walking with my grandchildren they ask what the name of a flower is and now I will know on several of them. Thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of information.
Thanks for the kind words Ginger. I think I’ll do a blog post just focusing on spring wildflowers.
Great idea John. There are so many wildflowers in the West and they are beautiful. Can hardly wait to see that Blog.
America is a beautiful country. Nice pictures!
Thanks for the kind words. Spring is always a fun time to time photos in the outdoors.
I like your style of photography. I guess maybe because it reminds me of mine… Go on a hike, see something to shoot, make it happen!
That’s it in a nutshell.