Columbia Hills SP: Crawford Oaks 1st of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Details
First of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge. Columbia Hills Historical State Park is acres of stunning shrub-steppe beauty, high-desert panoramas and, in April-May, abundant wildflowers and the song of western meadowlarks.
Meeting date/time – Tues Apr 21, 12:30PM. Meet at TH. Ready to hike when we’re all geared up.
Trailhead – Crawford Oaks TH (google map link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y5AtyStUKPLrPPGx7)
Distance/gain - 4.7 miles, 900'
WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/columbia-hills-state-park-crawford-oaks
Friends of the Columbia Gorge - https://gorgefriends.org/find-a-hike/columbia-hills-historical-state-park--crawford-oaks/
Columbia Hills Historical SP - https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/columbia-hills-historical-state-park
- Restrooms are located at trailhead
- Park conditions are often extremely windy
- On these rolling hills once grazed by cattle there is no shade
- All the gorgeous flowers come with a price -- be sure to check for ticks!
- Always beware for poison oak
- We may have to sit on the ground for lunch/snack, bring something to sit on.
- Carry your 10 essentials, including rain gear
- Discover Pass is required
Route Map – https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/route/c9f1a71d-4fdf-417e-8bfe-fc1e5466b4b0/
Driving directions - From the intersection of U.S. 197 (Dallesport area) and SR 14, drive 3.6 miles east on SR 14 to the Crawford Oaks Trailhead and parking area, on the left (north) side of the road. Alternatively, from intersection of U.S. 97 (Goldendale area) and SR 14, drive ~14 miles west on SR 14 to the Crawford Oaks Trailhead and parking area, on the right (north) side of the road.
Hike leader is staying at Westcliff Lodge (https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hood-river-4070-west-cliff-drive.html). Rooms feature a refrigerator, microwave, coffee/tea maker, flat screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and free parking (https://www.westclifflodge.com/rooms). Westcliff Lodge is 30-minute drive time to the Crawford Oaks TH.