The 3 Bench Loop is a good hike for viewing early to mid-spring wildflowers. Due to the steep slopes, poison oak, exposure to wind and sun, rattlesnakes and rocky slopes, it is not a hike for the faint of heart. The hike gets its name from the 3 benches cut in the hillside. The second bench may be viewed in the photo above. Wildflowers which may be viewed near the highway include all three desert stars, narrow-leaf skullcap, northwest balsamroot, puccoon and upland larkspur. Upon climbing the cliffs, the ground is literally covered with weak-stem Cryptantha, common Cryptantha, slender popcorn flower, and rusty popcorn flower. Wildflowers along the benches include poet's shooting star and possibly Cusick's shooting star, yellow bells, and several of the desert parsleys (including the following: nine-leaf d.p., slender-fruited d. p., pungent d. p., fern-leaf d. p., and the striking Columbia d.p..).
I would probably recommend that hikers not familiar with the area should not hike this loop. I'm noticing (spring 2010) that the western portion of the loop that descends back to SR 14 is now signed as "No Trespassing".
For those familiar with public routes in this area, be sure to stay on the established trail. Much of the land on both sides of the trail is in private ownership! Unfortunately, Russ Jolley who pioneered the route and cleared the route each year is no longer able to do so. Thus the route may not be as clear as it was in the past.
From Bingen, WA, proceed east on Washington State Highway (SR 14) through Lyle, WA. Continue east 2 miles along SR 14 to Doug's Beach where you park. Be aware that parking will be limited on windy days from spring through fall as this is a popular place to windsurf!
East Approach to Trail:
Hike east along the highway 0.2 miles to a concrete culvert that crosses beneath the highway. A dry stream bed runs eastward up the slope, parallel to the highway at this point. A steep path climbs about 25 feet up the bank, then climbs gently up the grassy slope to the northeast towards the cliffs. The beginning and end of the hike are not signed! The path soon cuts back to the northwest and begins a very steep ascent of a talus and cliff area. After several hundred yards, the path reaches the first bench where it becomes much flatter. Proceed west along the narrow and lightly tread path. You eventually come to ravine which carries some water in early spring or after rainfall. This is a good spot to search (carefully due to the steep slopes) for riparian plants and due to the tree cover, a good spot to look for migrating warblers, sparrows and lesser goldfinches. Proceed through the ravine and up the next rise to a higher bench with a large oak tree. This is a good spot for a rest or a picnic.
After resting, proceed west at roughly the same elevation for another half mile or so. At some point, a rocky ridge is visble in front of you. One can traverse uphill to the crest of this ridge, but further passage west is difficult at best unless one climb to the crest of the Columbia Hills.
At this point, rather than climbing to the rocky ridge crest, follow the trail downslope towards the highway. About 2/3 of the way down, stop and look back at the rocky ridge. If it is early enough in the spring so that the trees haven't leafed out yet, you will spy an oval gouge in the rock. This is complete arch in the basalt rock, something which is rarely seen in the gorge (also seen at Catherine Creek where it is easier to approach the arch). Continue hiking downhill, eventually passing through a barb wire fence to reach the highway. Hike east along the highway, staying safely on the shoulder to avoid on-coming traffic to return to your car.
West Approach to Trail:
To begin on the west leg of the hike first, hike 0.2 miles west of the Doug's Beach parking area along the north side of the highway. The bank here is about a dozen or more feet high. At 0.2 miles, there will be a low spot in the bank with a beg-leaf maple in it. Cross below the barb wire to climb up the slope on the faint trail.
February 26, 2005: Lower slopes
February 18, 2002: Tom McCall Nature Preserve, The Dalles Dam, The Dalles Mountain, Three Bench Loop, & Catherine Creek.
February 2, 2002: Tom Mc Call Nature Preserve, Three Bench Loop, & Catherine Creek