Basalt Gardens/Basalt Pillars

We drove to an area called Basalt Gardens and Basalt Pillars near Vantage WA. These are across the Columbia River and just south of the Sand Hollow Campground on Hwy 243. There is a small pullout at Basalt Gardens and a dirt road on the other side of Basalt Pillars with room to park. This area has wandering and dead end trails, none of them appear to be official. An interesting area with wildflowers in bloom. We started at the pullout at Basalt Gardens and did a 3 mile loop with 265 ft of overall gain covering both what we think are the Basalt Gardens and Basalt Pillars. Photos along the loop we did.

Next, we drove to the end of the road at Basalt Pillars and made a short 0.25 mile loop overlooking the Columbia River.

Some of the wildflowers seen in these areas:

one of the many lizards we saw along the trail today

Penrose Point State Park

Drove to Penrose State Park on the Key Peninsula to hike some of the trails and walk out on the sand pit at low tide, over all 3 miles and 110 ft gain.

I did a loop through the forest on Penrose Point, heading towards the group camp, down along the east shore (onto the beach),up the west shore, then taking a side trail part way up and continued along the beach towards the parking area. Lots of moss, ferns and trees, some early wildflowers and fungi.

Above, views along east beach, there is a short trail to access the beach near the north end of the loop. Part way along the forested trail going up the west side, I took the short path to the beach, found a pond between the forest and the beach and continued along the beach towards the parking area. I think the beach is probably only accessible to walk at low tide.

view out the sand pit, this afternoon was a -1.5 low tide, I was able to walkout for 1/2 mile before returning. View along the sand pit and at the end.

harlequin ducks and seagulls

some of the sea life seen this afternoon