Photo by Adam Sawyer
If you’re like me, you’ve had just about enough of this year’s rainy spring weather. However, the most beautiful color explosion is reaching its peak at the Tom McCall Nature Preserve, and it’s within driving distance. One of the many triumphs of the Nature Conservancy, the McCall Preserve is a 271-acre wonderland. Located 6.6 miles east of Mosier, the area includes two hiking trails and a view of the famous Rowena Curves portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The plateau is in a transition zone between the moist, heavily forested west side of the Cascades and the dry prairies of the east. This location provides an amazingly diverse array of plant life and geological features.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Wildflowers, whose species are almost too numerous to list, usually begin blooming around March. However, the peak of the bloom tends to be in early May, when the balsamroot, lupine, and red paintbrush wash over the landscape with Technicolor brilliance. (Tell me you couldn’t use some of that right about now.) With this year’s “late” spring, any time over the next two weeks (and perhaps even later) will be stunning. The Oregon Wildflowers website is a great place to track what is blooming, and when and where it’s happening.
The Preserve features two trails: If you have littler ones in tow, the 2.2-mile, out-and-back hike to the plateau ponds is a great option. If you have bigger kids or want more exercise, the 3.4-mile, 1,100-foot-elevation-gain, out-and-back hike up to McCall Point might be more your speed. A signboard at the trailhead provides all the direction you’ll need.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
The lower trail takes you down past scenic ponds and cliff-edge views of the gorge (mind the kids). When you look across the river from here, you get an excellent view of basalt cliffs stacked perfectly like layer cake. These layers were formed by the repeated lava floods that created the plateau between 10 and 17 million years ago.
The upper trail gently ascends through meadows of wildflowers before switchbacks steepen the final mile up to the peak. The reward at the top is a sprawling meadow, complete with open views of the gorge, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams.
As if nature’s grandeur wasn’t enough, the parking area at the Rowena Crest Viewpoint shows off some of mankind’s finer handy work. The viewing area provides several views of the Rowena Curves portion of the historic highway.
Please note that due to the sensitivity of the habitat, dogs and bikes are not allowed. To get the McCall Preserve, take I-84 East to Exit 69. Go 6.6 miles through Mosier to the Rowena Crest Viewpoint.
–Adam Sawyer
Photo by Adam Sawyer
