Catherine Creek Arch - April 2024
Here we are again at my favorite spot for early spring hikes - Catherine Creek Arch in the Columbia River Gorge. Spent the day with my friend Anna, looking for camas, sea blush, death camas, shooting stars, and tons more. There was a lot to take in out there, and you could really feel that spring has arrived. It’s crazy how much this place changes in just a few months. A while back, it was all about bunch grass, moss, lichens, creeks, and wetlands. Now, in April, those creeks and wetlands are dried up, and the flowers have completely taken over. We spotted some cool species like Trifolium macrocephalem, Lupinus sericeus, Lomatium klickitatense, Fritillaria affinis, which are unique to this area.
On our quick loop, we admired the awesome basalt arch that erosion has carved out. I spotted Barret’s penstemon blooming up on the shale, but I didn’t dare climb up and risk a fall, haha. This place is so special; it never loses its wonder. Here are a few highlights from this past weekend. If you haven’t checked this spot out yet, do it soon! The wildflowers don’t stick around long, and the drive is totally worth it. Added a couple of pictures from another quick hike I did the day before in West Linn.
Quercus garryana
Lupinus sericeus (I think)
Acer macrophyllum
Fritillaria affinis
Trifolium macrocephalum
Trifolium macrocephalum
Micranthes sp.
Adelinia grandis
Adelinia grandis
Amsinckia menziesii
Lomatium klickitatense
Lomatium klickitatense
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Camassia quamash
Camassia quamash
Plectritis congesta
Delphinium nuttallianum
Lomatium triternatum (I think)
Erythonium oregonum in West Linn, OR
Trillium albidum in West Linn, OR
Trillium albidum in West Linn, OR
