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Date:  April 21-22, 2001

Location  Catherine Creek Backpack

Where:  Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area

 

 ...."After enjoying last weekend's backpack on the Lower Deschutes River so much we have planned this backpacking trip to Catherine Creek on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. Lon & Nina Carlson met us at our house and we met Mary Coleman at Woodburn for breakfast. Our pack weights are: Jim 40, Jeanette 34, Lon 40, Nina 32, Mary 38."

Mary, Jeanette, and Nina making their way up Tracy Hill

...."11:30…the Catherine Creek Trailhead parking area is lined with cars and the lower trails are clogged with Japanese tourist. We soon leave the crowds behind as we begin hiking up the northeast slopes. We enjoy lots of wild flowers as we hike along, Death Camas, Western Buttercup, Bicolor Lupine, Big Headed Clover and Great Hound's Tongue. Stop for lunch at 12:45 and reach a fairly flat camping area on the upper slopes, with an outstanding view of the Columbia Gorge by 2:45. Accumulated elevation gain 1530 ft. At night we hear wild turkeys and coyotes. It also blows and rains."

Nina and Lon enjoying the vista of the Columbia Gorge from their tent site.

...."The morning dawns cool and cloudy. We are up at 7:00 and eat breakfast in the tent. We leave camp at 9:00 and enjoy lots more flowers on the way down, Bicolor Cluster Lily, Bitterroot, False Agoseris, and Common Camas. We are at the car at 12:20. We have ended up with more water than we actually needed. We brought four liters each and only used 2 liters for our two meals of dinner and breakfast."

Nina, Jeanette, and Mary, checking the book to identify a flower