Two short Columbia Gorge hikes for early wildflowers at Catherine Creek, Lyle.

Register in the Sierra Club for more information, and to save time at the trailhead. Select HERE

Two hike outing:
(A) Easy 1.2 mile paved loop trail on river side of road with some of the Gorge’s most spectacular scenery with fields of purple grass widows, white saxifrage among the rocks, bush pink parsley peeking up before the leaves, and yellow parsley down in the low areas.
(B) Two mile hike up hillside gravel road, down to a sturdy bridge across the creek, up a rocky loop trail, 200 feet elevation gain. Yellow stars on the hillside approaching the bridge. Hillsides of flowers.
Early spring flowers already blooming – scattered groupings of small purple grass widows on the rocky hillsides with white saxifrage. Expect to see a few yellow stars, white and pink woodland stars, bush pink parsley and yellow parsley, too. For hillsides coloring the hillsides, come back for our hikes in March, April and May, too.
All the flowers on hikes to Catherine Creek.
https://wildflowersearch.org/search?oldstate=gmc%3A45.716%2C-121.364%3Bgms%3A12%3Blocation%3ACatherine%20Creek%2C%20Columbia%20Gorge%20Seenic%20Area%3Belev%3A500%3Btitle%3ACatherine%20Creek%20Wildflowers%3B
Meeting Location, time and date:
10 a.m., Wednesday February 11.
Park in designated parking along road.
Meet near portable toilets at trailhead.
Google Map – “Catherine Creek Day Use Area/Trailhead”
Highway 14 past Bingen
Turn left on Old Hwy #8, 1.5 miles to parking area along the road on left.
Weather
Rain or Shine Hike. Current forecast: 93% sunny, 40 degrees, 05% chance of rain, and wind 3 miles/hr.
What to Bring
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots (parts may be muddy).
Hiking pole for rocky hillside trail, recommended.
Clothing to stay warm and dry.
Water and optional snacks.
Outing donation
$2 Suggested Donation. This money is used to fund incidental expenses incurred by the Sierra Club to lead these outings. Please bring cash.
Medical
You should feel comfortable walking 3-4 miles with frequent stops.
If you have a medical issue that could affect your participation in this outing, email the leader privately ([helen.madsen.ost@gmail.com](mailto:helen.madsen.ost@gmail.com)).