Wildflower Hikes at Columbia Hills State Park
Horsethief Butte
Horsethief Butte (left) and Mt. Hood (right horizon) from the Crawford Oaks Trailhead, Columbia Hills Historical State Park.....October 16, 2017.
From Dallesport, WA, take State Road 14 east, passing US 197 on the right which crosses the Columbia River to The Dalles, OR.. Proceed about another 1.1 mile and at about milepost 85.1 turn right (southeast) onto the paved entrance road to the state park. Proceed about another mile east on SR 14 to Horsethief Butte viewed on the right. Parking is often along the shoulder of the road here.
Westbound
From the intersection of US 97 and State Road 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia, proceed west. At about milepost 86.3, you will arrive at the trailhead for the trail circumventing Horsethief Butte, viewed to the left. Proceed about another mile to about milepost 85.1 and turn left (south) onto the paved entrance road to the state park.
Washington Discover Passes are required here. They can be purchased online or at an iron range at the Horsethief Butte Trailhead.
Horsethief Butte is a popular destination for rock climbers. Parking may be next to impossible on some spring days, despite the off-highway parking area. For botanists, one may view those species more common in the east end of the gorge, especially those that tend to like sandier soils. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead. A trail heads southwest from the trailhead and wraps around to the south side of the butte. A rough trail leads to the summit from the south side. Hikers with vertigo issues should be aware that the summit has 100' drops all around. A user trail can be followed along the south side and back around the east and north side of the butte.
The bluffs facing west over Horsethief Lake are a good place to set up a spotting scope to observe waterfowl on the lake during clear days in winter.
At nearby Horsethief Lake, one may picnic, swim, or camp. There are restroom facillities there, but that part of the park is closed to visitors during the winter. One may see a number of plants that like drier, sandier habitats around the periphery of the developed area. There are also some vernal ponds in the area to see species that live in such a habitat, but their access may be restricted......check with the park ranger first before visiting the vernal pools.
Plant Lists:
Comprehensive Plant List for Horsethief Butte (pdf)
June 16, 2011: Horsethief Butte
May 10, 2009: Horsethief Butte
April 15, 2009: Horsethief Butte
March 16, 2009: Horsethief Butte (A North American Rock Garden Society hike)
March 11, 2006: Horsethief Butte Trail and Railroad Grade on the East Bank of the Deschutes River
Horsethief Butte Trailhead - OregonHikers.org
Horsethief Butte Hike - OregonHikers.org
Columbia Hills Historical State Park: Horsethief Butte - Friends of the Columbia River Gorge
Columbia Hills State Park: Horsethief Butte - Washington Trails Association