OregonWildflowers > Locations > Catherine Creek

Catherine Creek

AreaColumbia Gorge (east - WA)
(Gifford Pinchot National Forest)
Best time to visitMid-March through early May
Blooming NowYES
Elevation200-600 feet
Trail Info2 miles round-trip, 350 feet elevation gain (arch loop)
 PLANT LIST AVAILABLE
 WILDFLOWER SEARCH
 ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
 Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide
 Hike information - Washington Trails Association
DogsAllowed, but must be kept on leash AT ALL TIMES.

NOTE: The blue marker indicates the trailhead.

Description

Catherine Creek is contained within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is a beautiful area with various mostly easy trail options so that everyone can enjoy the wildflowers which start blooming here early each Spring.

During the month of March, lovely purple Grass Widows (Olsynium douglasii) blanket the fields on both sides of the old highway. By April, these have yielded to Common Camas (Camassia quamash), Meadow Death-camas (Zigadenus venenosus), and a host of others.

Directions

Take Interstate 84 east to Hood River. Take exit 64 and drive north across the Hood River Bridge ($2 toll for passenger cars). Turn right onto Washington SR-14, and drive east for 5.8 miles. Turn left at Rowland Lake onto County Road 1230 (Old Highway No. 8), which follows the north end of the lake.

You will see the parking area on your left (north side of the road) approximately 1.3 miles from SR-14. If you are visiting on a weekend, you may want to carpool because the parking area is generally full.

There is a pit toilet, but no other facilities. The closest "real" rest area is at Chamberlain Lake, three miles east along Highway 14.

Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on-leash.

UPDATE 03/2008: There have been numerous break-ins at the Catherine Creek parking area. I strongly advise you not to leave any valuables in your car!

Trip Reports

DateSubmitted by
04/28/2024Greg Lief
04/27/2024Greg Lief
04/25/2024Greg Lief
04/06/2024Greg Lief
03/15/2024Greg Lief
Reports from previous years
05/11/2023Victor von Salza
05/09/2023Greg Lisf
05/07/2023Greg Lief
04/22/2023Greg Lief
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03/22/2023Victor von Salza
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02/12/2015Woodswalker
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05/04/2014Ivan Phillipsen
04/13/2014Joan
03/11/2014Greg Lief
03/09/2013Andrew Klossner
02/15/2013Marianne Nelson
02/09/2013Greg Lief
01/30/2013Marianne Nelson
06/03/2012Judi Conway
05/20/2012Gin Sumner
05/05/2012Katie Rompala
04/21/2012Victor von Salza
03/10/2012Greg Lief
02/16/2012Marianne Nelson
05/06/2011Katie Rompala
04/23/2011Victor von Salza
04/18/2011Victor von Salza
04/09/2011Greg Lief
03/23/2011Victor von Salza
03/13/2011Greg Lief
03/11/2011Claudia Sanzone
02/04/2011Marianne Nelson
03/26/2010Victor von Salza
03/20/2010Greg Lief
03/16/2010Angie Moore
03/15/2010Victor von Salza
03/04/2010Tom Nelson
02/21/2010Greg Lief
02/17/2010Angie Moore
02/07/2010Greg Lief
01/26/2010Marianne & Tom Nelson
03/29/2009Darlisa Black
03/29/2009Darlisa Black
03/29/2009Darlisa Black
03/26/2009Angie Moore
03/13/2009Marianne Nelson
02/27/2009Victor von Salza
02/03/2009Marianne Nelson
01/11/2009John Nelson
05/19/2008Victor von Salza
04/27/2008Victor von Salza
04/05/2008Victor von Salza
04/02/2008Victor von Salza
04/02/2008Victor von Salza
03/31/2008Marianne Nelson
03/22/2008Greg Lief
03/09/2008Greg Lief
03/05/2008Victor von Salza
03/02/2008Greg Lief
02/25/2008Marianne Nelson
02/17/2008Brent Miller
02/17/2008Victor von Salza
02/15/2008Victor von Salza
02/14/2008Marianne Nelson
05/06/2007Greg Lief
04/22/2007Greg Lief
04/08/2007Greg Lief
04/01/2007Greg Lief
03/25/2007Greg Lief
03/11/2007Greg Lief

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Photo Gallery


Bi-Colored Cluster Lily at Catherine Creek
Big-Head Clover at Catherine Creek
Chocolate Lily at Catherine Creek
Common Camas at Catherine Creek

Dutchman's Breeches at Catherine Creek
Great Hound`s Tongue at Catherine Creek
Meadow Death-Camas at Catherine Creek
Shooting Stars at Catherine Creek

Columbia Gorge Lupine at Catherine Creek
Upland Larkspur at Catherine Creek
Rigid Fiddleneck at Catherine Creek
Waterfall along lower Catherine Creek

Rocky field next to parking area
Hillside next to paved loop at Catherine Creek
Eastern Gorge view from above the arch
Gorge view facing south from above the arch

False Agoseris at Catherine Creek
Grass Widows at Catherine Creek
Field of Grass Widows at Catherine Creek
Dutchman's Breeches at Catherine Creek

Clasping Henbit at Catherine Creek
Bitterroot at Catherine Creek
Bitterroot at Catherine Creek
Barrett's Penstemon at Catherine Creek

Lupine and Balsamroot at Catherine Creek

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