Caching Up

What a strange few months it has been.  Work has been terribly stressful and with unrelenting dreary weather my spirits really took a dive.

I visited the ocean several times and really tried to enjoy and relax.  I gave in to the persistent memory of the nice dragon (long tail) kite I had seen on a previous visit to Gasworks Kites, and here it is in flight.

Notice the blue sky.  How that does revive me.  Here is the sunset from that day.

The last few weekends I have visited some old favorite places.  If it is Spring it must be time for Washington Park.  The wildflowers are just getting started and right off the bat I would say this looks like it might be a banner year for Calypso Orchids.

Even though the wild flowers seem right on time, the tulip and daffodil fields of the Skagit Flats seem a little behind.  Every year it seems like the farmers must risk their fields to far too much rain or late freezing temps.  The cold weather seems to have persisted quite a while this year.  But I captured a nice daffodil field in the early morning drive to Anacortes.

I have combined my Geocaching with my rambles and visiting familiar places is a good way to learn.  Along the way it is the little things I enjoy seeing.


Glacier scars on the bald top of Goose Rock on Whidbey Island.

a Great Blue Heron catching a little tidbit.

One of my favorite views at Washington Park.

Last weekend I was able to get away for two whole days so I headed for Catherine Creek.  We have visited there before and this year I was determined to hike all over. 

It is a little early for flowers but there were some nice finds.  As usual, the Shooting Stars and Camas are abundant.

Chocolate Lily blend in to the grasses and dead leaves under the White Oak trees, but when you get up close, their colores really captivate you.

I spent 5 hours hiking all over.   The West wind was so strong that it made the Columbia River look like it was flowing in reverse.  I did not see any windsurfers out and wonder if even they felt it was too strong.  Hiking along the west facing rim of one of the canyons I had several Auntie Em moments, feeling like Dorothy about to be swept away. 

This is wild country that shows the marks left by the Bretz Floods of 10000 years ago.  Gorges, bowls and carved out rock faces.  The Catherine Creek Arch has been documented as being a place of spirit quests for the native peoples.

This area below the hill was carved out by the violent forces of the flooding at the end of the last ice age.  Mt Hood was the most dazzling I have ever seen.  The winds were easily 35 mph+ at this point.  I got pushed about by the vortex produced by this bowl.

I finished my hike with a descent down through some woods I had never visited before.  I am wondering what wonders might grow up inside the sheltered area of conifers and yet again, it calls for another visit next month.

I was so pleased to have a good solid six hours of hiking and discovering.  I spent the night in The Dalles and left for Yakima early Easter Morning to  explore a new place.

Dog Mountain

This last weekend I seized the opportunity to get away overnight.  I have consistently put off going to Dog Mountain but knew this was the last great opportunity for this flower season.

Dog Mountain is about 55 miles east of Vancouver right on the Columbia River.  It is a popular hike and the huge bonus is the spectacular views and great wildflowers.  Unlike other areas of the Cascades that are still snowed under, this mountain is snow free right now.  I saw some pictures from the 4th of July weekend on Flickr and I knew I had to make a visit a priority.

I needed a place to stay so I took a look at Google Maps.  I spotted a landmark reference for Sandhill Cottages so went to their website.

http://www.sandhillcottages.com/index.htm

A restored 1930's era Auto Court. 

Totally charming, I was hooked.  I called and they had a unit open so I grabbed my stuff and drove smack into I-5 Friday afternoon bogged down traffic.

Stupid stupid stupid why didn't I go via Yakima?  Somehow I convinced myself that traffic at 215 could not possibly be as bad as traffic at 315.

Well it took 2 hours to get to the other side of Tacoma, about 45 miles.  A total of 5 1/2  hours for the usually 4 hour drive.

But Oh look what greeted me.  A funky little cabin that reminded me of the cabins at the ocean so many years ago.

Beadboard walls!  Super comfortable bed!

The bathroom shower fixture was directly overhead.

The little porch, the wood was worn and raw.   Boy did that take me back to childhood.  I stepped carefully and did not need needles and alcohol for splinter surgery.  There was a slider on the porch and it was nice to sit and read just enjoying being outside.

They had chicken and you could buy fresh eggs and coffee, beans roasted on site.

No radio , no TV ( but WiFi no problem)

It was perfect.

But the little kitchen area took the cake.  A Crosly Shelvador, something I have never seen before.  A refrigerator with a sink and 2 burner stove top.  All in one unit.  To my dismay I assumed that cooking utensils and dishes were provided, they were not. 

Next time I will be prepared.

I got up early the next day and drove to the trail head, arriving before most of the crowds.  My Wildflower hike book mentions that Phantom Orchids were possible here and suggested that the Ausperger Mountain Trail is the best way up and then come down Dog Mountain trail.  I heeded Professor Kruckbergs advice.  I grabbed a walking stick since I knew Phantoms likes to grow under and associated with low shrubby plants like Salal or Oregon Grape.  This trail area is filled with Poison Oak so I was needed my stick for safety.

The trail got underway with a nice sloping climb.  It was persistent but not bad.

There were fabulous views out from the trees of the Columbia River and the mountains to the west.  I was not having a lot of flower or bug action and I was disappointed that the Rattlesnakes seemed to be sleeping in.

But what greeted me when I entered a stretch of piney woodland... I still cannot wrap my brain around.

Phantom Orchids

Not a few, not some

Hundreds.  Hundreds of the RARE Phantoms.  The hillside was littered with them.  Occasionally there were clumps that looked like bouquets.  It went on and on and I was giddy with the thrill of it.

I was so distracted as I walked along that I misstepped right off the edge of the trail, giving my upslope foot a scary twist.  My ankle and instep are still puffy.

But oh the views.  Oh the flowers. 

That is Mt St Helen's.  I was up there a year ago.

Mt Hood, in Oregon, plays peak-a-boo

I am looking ahead to the last bit of this climb.

Bugs were surprisingly few.

Lupin and Paintbrush

I think this bee was snoozing.

I didn't see the pretty beetle on this Larkspur, it was far too small.  I regret the timing, the green metallic sheen would have been awesome.

Wild Ginger, on of my favorite flowers.

The perfect lunch spot.  The lookout point on "Puppy" a little mountainette next to Dog.

The route down was slippery with little stones and I am so happy I came up the way recommended.  I was the only one going up the trail when I was on it.  Beating the heat of the day was key, though here the winds are very persistent so overheating was not an issue.  Coming down the trail I encountered still more Phantoms on the trails.  Overall I encountered seven different orchid species in bloom, one a variant I had never seen before; an "immaculata" Spotted Coralroot.

Getting back to my cozy cabin I spent the afternoon reading, sipping coffee, fresh roasted in the office

and still trying to wrap my mind around the magnificent bounty of Phantoms.

I was higher than these clouds!

Again in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark

I ventured east last weekend. I was torn as to where to go and by what route. I am afraid our chilly weather once again dropped snow in the pass and at some places I was hoping to visit. I decided to head down to the Columbia River Gorge and stop at Catherine Creek and Lyle. Last year at this time, Catherine Creek a exploding in wildflowers. Saturday the experience was quite different. We had fair skies all the way and it did not seem that the winds were very fierce in the Gorge. High winds are caused by the pressure and temperature variations in the areas on either sides of the Cascade Mountains. There are several gaps in the range, most notably Enumclaw, south of Seattle and the Gorge, where the Columbia River divides Washington and Oregon. It was not until I got to Catherine Creek that the winds really started getting strong. I was glad that my warm gloves were in the car. I picked up a trail that loops east of where I walked last year. I was drawn by an oak tree lined canyon and wanting to know what this basalt canyon supported. Here there were flowers I did not see the last time I was here. A more sheltered area, the wind was still problematic. Most of my photos just has a touch of blur. Most of the soil here is quite thin and fine grasses and moss carpets can build up and support flowers on the sides of the rock walls. Spring Gold and buttercups dominate right now. But I did find a new flower, Steers Head. These fun flowers are related to Bleeding Heart aka Dutchman's Pants. I am afraid my photo does not do justice to the gentle blush of the colors. Bleeding heart are very common along most trails in the moist woods of the west side. I will say in all my ramblings in the east side of the state, this is a first for me. Yellow Bells, usually the first flower of the dry side Spring, were few and far between. Many had already crumbled. Those in the more sheltered areas were doing well. I encountered a couple standing up a little path, looking at the ground with camera and binoculars. When they looked up I asked them "what do you have?" Chocolate Lily!. I was thrilled as this rare flower is not yet blooming on this side of the mountains. I walked up the path and sure enough, HUNDREDS of them, many still tightly budded. Oh the frustration, the wind bobbed and whipped them about, I could barely get a decent shot. I am cheating and posting a photo I took at Washington Park last June. I continued my walk up the oak lined canyon. I did grab and nice robust acorn for my collection. The dominant color was brown from all the fallen leaves. This Blue Hounds Tongue was easy to find. Climbing out of the canyon and over the brink of the hill, the slope was all grass and filled with Shooting Stars ... and Camas. Camas was a vital diet staple for the native people of this region. The starchy tubers were cooked and used like potato. Lewis and Clark wrote of the effects of too many of these tubers. In these slopes the near related Death Camas is equally abundant. The flowers are distinctive and white but the tubers could not easily be told apart. It is well known that Camas should not be harvested except by those expert at their collection. These slopes do not support many trees. This stout pine looks to have been easily toppled by winds. I moved down slope and across the road. I knew a photo-op for my Scavenger Hunt. The topic "silence" I originally wanted to go up to the stage stop above Ellensburg and photograph the old broken buildings there, but I knew the snows had been through in the previous 24 hours and I don't think Pearly Mae is ready to drive in that muck. But this bench is so isolated and it was exactly as I remember. "Silence" This is a panorama from the bench east on the Columbia. I spent the rest of the day wandering the roads all the way over the last ridge on the left looking for the states only resident population of Acorn Woodpeckers. I had no luck. I spent the night in The Dalles and was torn as to what direction to head Sunday morning. I looked at my Gazetteer and saw an area on the map I had noticed before but never investigated "Big Lava Beds" south of Mt Adams. The weather forecast showed the rains advancing and I noticed that some of the precipitation echos on the Doppler was snow. I decided I would venture up to the Lava Beds as it was nearest the highway route home. I knew fairly quickly that I had made a road mistake. I found myself at a good elevation above the Gorge returning east, parallel to the river rather than north and inland. AH me, I am usually better at navigation and decided I better relocate. I came around a bend and saw this! A roadside decorated with plastic Easter Eggs in the bushes and trees. Oh man this took me way back to when we made Easter Egg Trees. Mom would find a likely shrubbery branch and we would blow and decorate eggs, string and hang them. I can still remember the effort of trying to blow the egg out a too small pinhole. But after several shots I realized that this was my shot for "Easter" on the Scavenger Hunt. I am so pleased. I finally found the road up to Lava Beds but did not get very far. Snow on the road. Darn me, I forget that the elevation east of the mountains is higher than at home. I forget that not everywhere has Sea Level as its starting point of reference. Well I will prepare better next time and venture to this interesting place. The lava beds are said to be pretty impenetrable. People say the footing is difficult and dangerous. There is a trail that parallels the edge and climbs a nearby mountain, so I will set that as a goal for later in the season. The mountain is called Huckleberry, so I will bring a handy collection container.

Catherine Creek, a beautiful blue day

Finding time to escape on the weekends seems to get waylaid by bad weather or the "needs of the many" at work.

Yesterday I escaped to a long delayed visit to Catherine Creek. This area first came to my attention via Flickr. A member had posted a photo of a wildflower the likes of which I have never seen.


Catherine Creek is located between the towns of Lyle and Bingen on the Columbia River. It is part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

I hit the road super early. The drive is long and I knew I-5 was closed down to one lane at Olympia. The weather, however was spectacular. It was nice to see the sun rise and the weather was crystal clear all day.


Driving east on Hwy 14 is a bit of an adventure. Once I got outside of Vancouver, I experienced the winds the Gorge is famous for. The two lane highway is full of bends and twists and very soon you start climbing to the Cascades. While the mountains are not as high here owing to the effect of the river upon the geology, higher mountains are very near and snow is present in many bare areas. Across the river you can see waterfall after waterfall. The drive from Portland to Hood River is famous for the number of waterfalls. Unlike the Washington side, the Oregon side of the river supports and Interstate which is fast level and an easy option for those in a hurry.

At the highest point of the climb I pulled off at a place called "Cape Horn" to take in the view. Well named, the winds were howling and the trees whipping to the west.

Off in the distance I could see Beacon Rock , a basalt monolith that sits right in the river. It is a famous hike and climb site. There have been Peregrine Falcons nesting here in the past and sometimes the access to the climbs are restricted. You can see Beacon Rock just to the center below.

In a very short time you can tell you are in "eastern" Washington. Pine trees show up in the woods and balsamroot flowers dot the roadside. In Bingen the hills look nothing like one sees in western Washington.

Indeed the whole of this area is a geology wonder. The Columbia River, with its power and age as cut a typical river canyon. Much of this is lost now that the river impounds behind dams and runs much slower and deeper than when Lewis and Clark floated through. One can find evidence of the catastrophic Bretz Floods of 10000 years ago. These floods carved and formed the geography of eastern Washington. Notice how the rolling hill suddenly is lost to a carved out rock face.

Smoothly descending hills abruptly become cliffs. River valleys end and become sharp waterfalls. Hanging valleys were key in Bretz's evidence of catastrophic erosion of the gorge.

Catherine Creek has a paved trail system that allows visitors of all abilities a chance to experience the native plants. There are also wonderful benches that permit sitting and enjoyment of the sweeping views of the river,

and the small but stunning waterfalls of Catherine Creek. The basalt walls of the little mini-canyon were filled with flowers and plants that would be the envy of any rock gardener. A perfect picnic spot.

I will say however, for the best flowers one should climb and ramble in the area across the road. There were many groups of folks present. Hikers and photographers. A group of students from an Oregon college and many people with dogs.

The footing was a challenge as the soil is thin and basalt rock footing is sharp and often loose. Many areas were seeping wet rather than forming runoff channels or soaking in. There was a lot of grasses and mosses and often the moss growing directly over rock made for tricky footing.

The area supports a mix of pine trees and oak trees. Oak is a rare tree in the state and this area around Lyle supports some ( if not the only) Acorn Woodpeckers in Washington.

It was wonderful to be able to ramble the informal hiking trail and I had some great views of the geology of the river area. Mt Hood gradually appeared through burning off haze.

I didn't encounter many people once away from the parking lot. I had a chance encounter with a skunk, my first "live" viewing. It did not stick around for a photo-op. I also saw a Blue-tailed Skink who had the same opinion on having a photo taken.

But these bugs were very obliging. There is no better opportunity for bug photos than the balsamroot , buckwheats and agoseris of eastern Washington.

I did not have a map so without knowledge of the trail length or timing, decided to cut across country and follow a power line back down to the highway. Along this route I found two samples of the unique plant that brought me here ; Grand Hound's Tongue. It was another one of those lucky hits simply because I decided to ramble downhill where I did.

The clustered buds open to become this

Blue also dominated the landscape with fields of Camas. Shooting Stars were everywhere and they were mixed with Death Camas. Upland Larkspur were quite thick and in many places associated with the Oak trees.

I found some Brodiaea, a new flower to learn. I loved the detail of the pale blue stripe. This flower can be found in a dark blue form, depending on the quality of the soil it grows in.

I wish I could have had time for an overnight and a chance to fully explore this lovely area. Klickitat County is said to have the most diverse plant life in the state. It is easy to see that this is possible due to the meeting of east and west, wet and dry low and high altitude.