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.
In mid-February I began the climb on a foggy and rainy day. It was too early in the year for the steep, upper slopes to be covered with golden balsamroot and purple lupine.
But the open Oak Savannah of the Rowena Plateau was sprinkled with purple grass widows and Columbia desert parsley.
A young bald eagle and a handful of blacktail deer kept me company from time to time.
And, to make the adventure even more enjoyable there is a rough series of trails to the east that can make the hike into a lollipop loop. Instead I turned around after reaching a nice viewpoint on a high point on the ridge above McCall Point.
Only five miles round trip, but always a fun outing.

Columbia Desert Parsley

Parking area on the Rowena Plateau

Blacktail Deer

Grass Widow

Muddy, steep trail heading down the mountain

Young Bald Eagle

Small pond along the trail

Blacktail Deer

Grass Widow

Barge on the Columbia River

Columbia Desert Parsley
Some nice signs that spring is on its way!
It sure feels like spring on the east side of the Columbia River Gorge. It’s a nice place to hike this time of the year.