It is, seriously, a magical flower fairyland at the Dalles Mountain Ranch right now. Go, and be treated to rolling hills swept in balsamroot, lupine, and every flower in between. When left our hike in awe, feeling privileged to be able to witness such a spectacle!
The hike follows a gated road for about 2.5 miles to the top of the Butte, the site of several antennae. We walked another .5 along the top to yet another set of antennae, then turned around and made our way back down the road. There is a bit of elevation gain on this one, but the road is never too steep. We tend to prefer narrow woodsy trails in general, but this time we were grateful, given the poison oak/tick/snake warnings, to be walking along a wide road. We didn't encounter any of the aforementioned perils...this time.
Unfortunately, the day we did this, all the big cascade peaks were veiled in clouds. But we got peek-a-boos of their bases, and Hood really tried to make an appearance! Doing this on a clear day would take it to a whole other level! Have fun, fellow flower chasers!
Stacker Butte: Where the Wildflowers Are! 4/13/16
Stacker Butte: Where the Wildflowers Are! 4/13/16
- Attachments
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- Welcome to the flower show! Flowers were the most dense for the first mile, but lighting was better on the way down.
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- Would-be Mt. Adams view over the back.
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- Wigwam antenna at the top.
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- More antennae!
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- Noted!
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- Views of turbines to the east.
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- Looking back up toward the top of the Butte.
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- Lone balsamroot clump.
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- John, soaking in the views.
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- Flowers...
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- More flowers...
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- Still more flowers...
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- Paradise!
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- View of the Dalles.
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- Hood came out to say goodbye!
Re: Stacker Butte: Where the Wildflowers Are! 4/13/16
I love that snow angel sign!
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…