🪻Wanderings w/ Wickedly Wonderful Wildflowers🤘🏽Dalles Mountain Ranch🌻

WHEN: Monday, May 4th, 2026
TIME: 10:15 am - 6:15pm - Please plan for a full day out.
WHERE: 9710 SE Washington St. (in parking lot near McMenamins Mall 205)
DISTANCE: +/- 6.6 miles*
ELEVATION GAIN: +/- 1,060ft*
PACE: +/- 2/2.5mph* Moving Avg.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate, due to slight elevation gain, toxic flora, venomous fauna and sun exposure.
DURATION: +/- 3.5-4hrs* (driving not included)
CANINES: Allowed - Strictly on Leash and with dogs able to acclimate to high heat and dry conditions.

*Please read thoroughly, important information below.*

📜Walk with me this spring and let’s enjoy the spectacular display of wildflowers within (and even some outside!) the Willamette Valley. These hikes are not for the work out (usually), they are most definitely focused on getting the best views of the wildflowers this spring while they are on display. That being said, these hikes do range in difficulty from beginner friendly to challenging.
The Good, the bad and the queen of all realities is that for every too there is a fro and we will definitely be stop and go. That is what will make these hikes go round.

🌻THIS Hike…. Alright, back through the Gorge and just beyond this time in Dalles, WA. Today’s hike will be taking us to the very well known Dalles Mountain Ranch, where we should be greeted with a dazzling display of wildflowers in bloom.

🌼Endings…. Once we are finished hiking we will head back and (optionally) stop at Cousins’ (2114 W 6th St., The Dalles OR 97058) for some tasty post-hike treats before getting back into Portland. If not everyone is keen to this, we can always stop at the McMenamins or Sushi Sapporo (where we organized our carpool) in case someone needs to be back by a certain time.

🌸Pro Tip: Download apps like “Merlin Bird ID, Inaturalist, PictureThis or use Google Lens” to help in identifying the unique and wonderful flora/fauna we will be encountering. Binoculars and phone clip macro lenses can prove very helpful on these hikes, as well! 🤌🏽

💪🏽This is not exactly a beginner friendly hike, due to the slight elevation gain and high sun exposure, but I will not be going very fast at all. I expect the pace to be between 2 - 2.5mph depending on group dynamics.

Attn: 👀 You can expect to see….
⚠️Cliffs, somewhat rocky terrain and high winds along with very few shad trees.
⚠️Poison Oak is prevalent off trail at the lower sections.
⚠️Ticks are common.
⚠️ Some rattlesnakes live in the area but encounters with them are rare. Bullsnakes are more common and have coloration and markings similar to the rattlesnake, but do not have rattles and are not venomous. 🐍

📸 Since our focus this time around are the flowers, you can definitely expect to stop numerous times and sometimes for extended lengths. Our hikes are group hikes so everybody is expected to hike between the designated pace setter and the sweep and not ahead or behind the group. No one will be left behind. By signing up for this hike you have implied your agreement to follow this rule.

🚗🚙 Carpooling/Driving: We will be meeting at 9710 SE Washington St.
I will be parked somewhere near the “center” of the parking lot at this address. I’ll be somewhere between the McMenamins and the 205 liquor store.
We will be organizing the carpooling situation promptly at 10:15 and leaving immediately thereafter.
We SHOULD be at the trailhead by 11:45/12. Please take the 84E and cross at The Dalles Bridge (US-197).
Hike will begin at 12:15.

☝🏽If you are not familiar with this location, please come early enough to find it. If you are able to drive I’d implore you to consider carpooling, I knew there can be people without vehicles who would greatly appreciate that.
Riders: The trip is 85 miles one way. Please give your drivers $18 for gas and bridge tolls. Please bring exact change.
Drivers: Please accept gas money, this allows passengers to contribute to the event in a meaningful way.

🛂Tolls: If you cross at the Bridge of the Gods the toll is $3.
If you cross Hood River Bridge the tolls is $3.50.
🅿️Parking/Fees: Discover Passes Required at Trailhead. 1 Day Pass: $10 Annual Pass: $45
The trailhead parking lot is a paved and has a restroom.

📍Carpool Coordinates (SE PDX): 45.51772° N, 122.56356° W
📍Trailhead Coordinates (Dalles, WA): 45.65701° N, 121.08611° W

🎒Be Prepared….
✅A positive attitude, sense of wonder, and desire to be part of a greater community ❤️
We are a diverse group, please learn to enjoy the many variety of humans we get to share this finite amount of time alongside.
✅ Weather-appropriate clothing & adjustable layers 🧤
This is the PNW, expect rain, mud, wind and the occasionally hot star bright days* - This hike is usually very windy, wind breakers recommended.
This route is more than 90% exposed to the sun. 🥵
✅ Food, WATER, snacks 🥪💧
We will take a break short at the top to eat, drink, rest and savor the moment.
✅ * Hiking/Trekking poles
This helps both uphill to maintain proper back posture and downhill on rocky or muddy terrain to add extra points of contact. These can also serve as a nice third/fourth point of contact for better maneuvering of varying trail conditions and help with proper blood flow to hands.
✅ Cannabis-friendly event, enjoy responsibly 🦉
Obviously 21+ only - Please be considerate of others and practice discretion.
✅ Leave valuables at home or secure them 🚫💍👜
This trailhead is located alongside a major thoroughfare, it’d be too easy for someone to steal something while we are at out and drive away in any direction if they saw something potentially worthwhile in your car. Don’t become a statistic if you can help it.
✅ All metrics are estimates and may change ⚖️
Sometimes we may take unexpected detours (within “reason”) to see something or explore, enjoy the process.
✅ Community & respect; following event rules is mandatory

⚜️ Expectations 🔱
🚑 Safety Comes First
If you’re feeling under the weather, please skip this event.
📯 The Golden Rule
No one gets left behind. We hike as a cohesive unit from start to finish!

🤝 A Community Effort
By RSVP’ing, you agree to all Endorphin Drip Hiking Club Rules and Expectations listed on the Main Page and to Meetup’s Terms of Service.

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✨ Let’s hit the trails and make some memories together!🥾