Spring 2008
March 15, Saturday, 8:30 am
Native Plant Society of Oregon Field Trip: Field Trip: Catherine Creek.
The premier early flower spot in the Gorge, with Olsynium douglasii in profusion, Fritillaria pudica, Lithophragma glabra, several desert parsleys and many others to be viewed. Easy walking of 3-4 miles with 500 ft elevation gain. Leave at 8:30 am, Gateway MAX station, corner of NE Pacific Street and 99th Avenue. Or meet at Catherine Creek trailhead at 10 am. 120 miles round-trip drive. Call Jan and Dave Dobak at 503-248-9242 for more info.
March 29, Saturday, 8:30 am
Native Plant Society of Oregon Field Trip: Eastern Columbia River Gorge.
The early season bloom should be well underway in the eastern Gorge. Come search for early bloomers between Hood River and US 97. We should see yellow bells, daggerpods, shooting stars, milk-vetch, a wealth of desert parsleys and perhaps even some early balsamroots and lupines! 200 highway miles round-trip. Car stops with short walks. Contact Paul Slichter at pslichte@teleport.com or 503-661-3292.
April 6, Sunday, 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
Native Plant Society of Oregon Field Trip: Catherine Creek Labyrinth .
Wildflower expert & photographer Don Jacobson leads this spectacular hike with diverse flora and geologically interesting features. About a 5 mile loop, 1000 feet of elevation gain. Call Don Jacobson at 503 235 6234 or email donjphoto@gmail.com for car pool info.
April 13, Sunday,
Native Plant Society of Oregon Field Trip: Angels Rest
Contact Paul Slichter for meeting time and place: (503) 661-3292, pslichte@teleport.com
April 19, Saturday,
Native Plant Society of Oregon Field Trip: Memaloose Hills and Castilleja Hill
Easy walking 5-6 miles, 800 ft. elevation gain. Hike through beautiful oak woods and meadows featuring balsamroot, lupine, paintbrush, shooting stars and a large variety of other wildflowers, including the rare Suksdorfia violacea, which should be blooming. Contact Beth Magnus for meeting time and place: 503-226-7919, magnus@pcez.com.
April 20, Sunday, 8:30 am
Friends of the Columbia Gorge Field Trip: Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve
A moderately strenuous hike up to 6 miles through near pristine prairie in search of early blooms, including balsamroot, big-head clover, spring beauty, daggerpod, woolly milkvetch and numerous desert parsleys. An excellent trip to learn and photograph gorge wildflowers. Views from the ridge summit are outstanding in good weather. Elevation gain of 1500'. 150 miles round-trip drive. Bring light, warm layers of clothing and rain/wind gear in case of inclement weather. Trip limited to 18 participants. Hike Leader: Paul Slichter. To register: hikes@gorgefriends or (503) 241-3762x103
April 20, Sunday, 10am-4 pm.
Event: Annual Wildflower Show.
Mid Columbia Chapter NPSO presents our Annual Wildflower Show at the American Legion Hall in Mosier, OR.
May 4, Sunday
Field Trip: Hamilton Mt.
May 10, Saturday, 8:30 am.
Field trip: McCord Creek.
We'll be looking for Dodecatheon dentatum, Castilleja rupicola, Erigeron howellii, Erigeron oreganus, and many others in flower. There may be some late-flowering Douglasia laevigata, and Stenanthium occidentale should be coming into flower. Driving: about 60 miles round trip; hiking: about 3 miles with 500 feet elevation gain.
Contact Jan and Dave Dobak, 503-248-9242.
Native Plant Society of Oregon (Click on "What's New" and then "NPSO Calendar" for a list of current events.)
Washington Native Plant Society (Find Local Chapters in the Menu at left, then click on Field Trips.)
Friends of the Columbia Gorge (They lead several hikes in the Columbia River Gorge each weekend!)
Oregon Wild (They lead hikes to the Columbia River Gorge and to other sites in Oregon throughout the year.)