Off the Beaten Trail!

Wendy ascending Tracy Hill in late March.

The grass widows were popping on Tracy Hill in late March.

I spotted this gorgeous bi-colored grass widow near Catherine Creek in late March.

Grove of ponderosa pines along the Klickitat River Trail.

The Klickitat River in late March.

Hiking down the Klickitat River Trail in late March.

I made my first visit to the Blue Pool in late March. We tried to go to Proxy Falls and struck out, and ended up hiking to the Blue Pool instead.

This is Clear Lake before a thunderstorm that descended on the lake.

Taking in sunset at Clear Lake, after the thunderstorm passed through.

Ducks on Clear Lake, after sunset.

We visited Sahalie Falls in late March, after hiking to Blue Pool and spending the night at Clear Lake. There was a lot of snow and ice.

Some people are foolish enough to drive down Free Bridge Road to the Deschutes River. I decided to hike, and I had a great time.

About halfway down to the Deschutes River on the Free Bridge Road.

The Free Bridge Road has an amazing view of the Deschutes River. This was March 31 so it probably won’t be as green now.

The Mosier Plateau Trail on March 31. I came back a few weeks later.

The Gorge on March 31. It was a gorgeous, fulfilling day.

The Columbia River from Mitchell Point on April 2.

Karl and I hanging out on the summit of Mitchell Point.

One of the highlights of my April was watching this kayaker run Spirit Falls.

I’ve been to Spirit Falls twice this year already, and I’m sure I’ll be back. This is one of my favorite spots in the Gorge.

One of the best hikes I did in April was an off-trail loop through Columbia Hills State Park. This was towards the beginning.

We saw lots of balsamroot hiking through Columbia Hills State Park.

Our loop through Columbia Hills State Park took us around and through Horsethief Butte. I hadn’t been there since I was in a Mazamas course so it was nice to return.

Wandering off-trail in Columbia Hills State Park.

Wendy and I hiked Memaloose Hills just before the big bloom erupted. It was still gorgeous!

Glacier lilies were blooming in great quantity along the Memaloose Hills Trail.

I returned to Mosier Plateau with my brother to go check out the flower bloom. It was amazing!

The Mosier Plateau Trail on April 18 - such a huge difference from three weeks prior!

We drove up to Lost Lake expecting to get turned around by snow. Instead we were able to drive right to the lake, where we found the most amazing view of Mount Hood. I’ve been here many times before and it never ceases to amaze me.

This might be the best photo I’ve ever taken at Lost Lake. Apparently the ice was gone not even three days after this photo was taken.

We drove back from Lost Lake to the new Punchbowl Falls Park near Odell. I’d never been here before and I really dug this place. The basalt formations are fantastic!

…the more famous Punch Bowl Falls on Eagle Creek further west. I’d never been here before and I really liked this little park.

From Punchbowl Falls to Devils Punchbowl, we covered almost all the punchbowls in a span of 24 hours.

While my brother slept Wendy and I hiked to the end of Road’s End Beach for the minus tide. The marine life was so cool!

We found many starfish at Road’s End, but these were the best.

The sun came out and ruined our photos of Munson Creek Falls, but the forest on this short trail is incredibly lush.

I hadn’t been to Angels Rest since the Eagle Creek Fire so it was nice to go back. The trail is better now post-fire, with better views and better tread.

After hiking Angels Rest, I had to go visit Bridal Veil Falls for the first time in a couple of years. The falls was beautiful as always.

I led a Mazama group up and out of Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday, April 27. The flowers were near peak and the views were fantastic. The only problem was the constant bracing winds that made it occasionally difficult to enjoy the hike.

Enjoying the views of the John Day River at Cottonwood Canyon.

Walking a jeep road into a fierce wind at the top of Cottonwood Canyon. Mount Adams hovers in the background, far in the distance.

We braved the wind to climb up and over a ridge off-trail in Cottonwood Canyon.

Hiking back the Pinnacles Trail in Cottonwood Canyon.

The John Day River and Cottonwood Canyon, April 27.