The most profuse wildflowers currently in bloom are: Grass widow (Olsynium douglasii), Gold star (Crocidium multicaule), and Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica), especially on the east side of the creek. There are also some patches of the endemic Columbia Gorge desert parsley (Lomatium columbianum), particularly near the seasonal `stream` above the arch. Also blooming: Prairie Star (Lithophragma sp.), Salt-and-pepper (Lomatium piperi), and spring whitlow-grass (Draba verna). There are also <I>many</I> bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) rosettes in rocky areas, though we will not see any actual blooms for at least another six weeks.
Reports