Mill Creek Ridge, May 18, 2023

Mill Creek Ridge is a pretty unknown trail in the hills just south of The Dalles. This Thursday when I was there it was about 95 degrees and the sun was blasting down. But I have missed so much hiking and wildflower displays, I just had to go anyway. You hike uphill from the parking area and then you hike along the ridge top trail; the trail goes both west and east from the top. The balsamroot were getting close to being done for this year, but they were there in great numbers still. Indian paintbrush, lupine and prairie stars are very prevalent. Some of the hidden gems are shown below.

Wild strawberry

Mill Creek Ridge trail with balsamroot and Indian Paintbrush

Bastard Toadflax

White stemmed Frasera

Everlasting pea

Large flowered Collomia