Drove to Columbia Hills State Park to hike the Dalles Mountain Ranch Loop Trail from the Crawford Oaks Trailhead. 7.5 miles with 800 ft of overall gain. I saw very few people as I was hiking the loop trail, and then many people hiking up the entry road as I returned to the trailhead.
zoom of Mt Hood from near the parking area
After hiking the 1 mile entry road, I hiked Military Road trail to Eightmile Creek up to Dalles Mountain Rance. There was lots of lupine and parsley in bloom.
Lot of balsam root in bloom throughout the hills.
Phlox in bloom among the balsam root.
It was enjoyable meandering around the hills.Dalles Mountain Ranch in the distance
Took the short trail off the loop to the Ranch, gorgeous views of Mt Hood and a very distant Mt Jefferson
The old rusted car at Dalles Mtn RanchThis is a very popular photo area, but I did not see any other people while I was up at Dalles Mountain Ranch around 8 am this morning.
lupine and balsam root along the fence lines
Rejoined the loop trail, along the Ranch Route trail
The trail went through a small oak grove
Love how this loop trail meanders through the hills, here on the Vista Loop nearing the Columbia River
View to the east, looking up the Columbia River
Another view to the southwest
Further along the loop: Horsethief Butte alongside the Columbia Riversome other wildflowers seen along the trail today:
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