Catherine Creek, January 25, 2023
On the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge, east of the town of Bingen is Catherine Creek. This area is known for it's wildflowers, though I wasn’t expecting to see any on this Wednesday in late January. And I didn’t. This area, like the Columbia Hills, is Oak and Pine scrubland. I hiked to the right of the entrance and up what is called the CA2 trail. This wanders up the into the hills, along the western edge, looking down into the Indian Pits area and trail. After about a mile and a quarter, there is a turn off to the east and then shortly another that heads up the hill, in line with the high tension power towers. I followed this uphill till the junction with Atwood Road, which is used for forest service and power tower maintenance. Rarely another person is on this trail. The road is mostly in the shade of the oaks and the few pines. As you wander down you can begin to see the other side of the Catherine Creek canyon to the hills on the east side and eventually get a good view of the Catherine Creek Arch. This road then connects with the CA3 trail, also called 2021 now, and back to the parking area. You gain close to 800 feet in elevation going up hill, not bad for a mile and three quarters.
Ponderosa pine
Moss covered rocks on Atwood Road heading downhill
Gnarly oak
Power tower and the view looking up the Columbia River, to the town of Lyle
Winter oak tree
