Crawford Oaks Loop at Columbia Hills State Park

I drove to the Crawford Oaks Trailhead at Columbia Hills State Park to hike the Vista Loop Trail and over to the Dalles Mountain Ranch, 7.5 miles with 960 ft of overall gain. The wildflowers are not yet in full bloom, but there was a good amount in bloom. The first mile is up a closed access road to the Vista Loop Trail. There are basalt columns and views of the Columbia River at the beginning of the trail.

Balsamroot is in bloom.

I hiked the Vista Loop clockwise. Phlox and balsamroot in the meadow, Dalles Mountain Ranch in the far distance.

The trail meanders among the hills.

Lupine in bloom along with balsamroot.

Views of the meandering trail

Near the top of the loop, I took the spur trail up to Dalles Mountain Ranch.

Some of the buildings at Dalles Mountain Ranc

Balsamroot and lupine near the fence line

The old abandoned car in the meadow

Pond at Dalles Mountain Ranch as I returned to the Vista Loop Trail.

Despite the warning sign, I was glad not to see any rattlesnakes today.

Oak trees along the Vista Loop Trail

Balsamroot and a view to the Columbia River to the southwest

Columbia Hills to the north

Great views of the Columbia River near the south end of the loop: looking southeast,

view to the southwest, occasionally I could see the top of Mt Hood through the clouds.

zoom of the very top of Mt Hood peeking through the clouds

Largeheaded clover in the meadow

some of the wildflowers along the trail today: