Blooms and Butterflies
Led by Caitlin LaBar, this hike into the Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve is located in Washington across the Columbia River from The Dalles. It is famous for its springtime displays of wildflowers, especially balsamroot, lupine and paintbrush. We will be hiking the lower half of the Crawford Oaks Trail, which is a mostly gently sloped gravel service road following Eightmile Creek through meadows and oak woodlands. Wear layers, the weather can change from cold and windy to hot and sunny this time of year! After the hike, anyone who wishes to may caravan with us a mile back down the road to view several petroglyphs and pictographs, easily seen from the parking area near Horsethief Lake.
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We will meet at 9:30 AM at Crawford Oaks Trailhead, on the north side of Hwy 14 approximately 3.6 miles east of Hwy 197. The suggested donation is $25 per family or $15 per individual, which you may bring the day of the trip. A Discover Pass is required for each parked car, which can be purchased for $10/day/car at the trailhead. Each family will receive a field notebook containing identification keys for local butterfly and wildflower ID and other creation information. We will have several butterfly nets available to borrow, or bring your own.
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