Even going up hill, I really like chasing these Oregon Wildflowers. I even enjoyed the hike up Eagle Creek Trail to Punchbowl Falls, it was the longest (4 miles) hike that I’ve done in years and I survived! Of course, the Oregon Wildflowers and the scenery were pretty amazing and likely thats’s why I didn’t mind the walk.
I am new around here and far from an authority about Oregon Wildflowers, but it felt like things were just warming up in terms of the spring bloom. There were patches that were loaded with flowers and then a bit of a walk before the rest popped in to view. Seems like a great excuse to go back next week!
I’m not to proud to ask for help a with IDs of the flowers. I think I got these, but please let me know if I got something wrong!
Eagle Creek Wildflowers
About the Eagle Creek Trail
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Eagle Creek was built in the 1910s to accompany the opening of the Columbia River Highway, the Eagle Creek Trail was blasted out the cliffs with dynamite by Italian engineers. The area above the 800-foot-elevation mark was officially designated Wilderness in 1984. The trail itself is pretty easy, it’s well maintained, no doubt assisted by the hordes of people that hike this trail. It’s up and down and never horribly steep…the most difficult walk is down the stairs to Punchbowl Falls at the 2 mile mark. The trail guides call it easy and for a hiker, I would agree…for a photographer with a tripod and a backpack full of gear, I’m calling it moderate. Over the 2 mile hike the elevation gain is only 400 ft. The risky bit is that there are several areas that are very narrow with a sheer drop on the one side and a basalt cliff on the other…truly a rock and a hard place! Oh, goodness – I couldn’t resist that one. But seriously, it is slippery and it would not take much of a slip to take the express down the mountain.
It is crowded almost all of the time. It’s only 45 minutes from Portland this is the nexus for several of the nicer Columbia Gorge hikes, so take note. If contemplative quiet photography is what you seek…seek elsewhere.
We’ve had a wet bit of weather lately and I suspect the water in Sorenson Creek was higher than normal and that made a nice image…
Oregon Wildflower Portfolio
You’ll find all of the images that I took on this trip in my online portfolio. They are mixed in with all of the Oregon Wildflowers I’ve photographed since I made the move to the Pacific Northwest last year. All of my images are available as prints and or may be licensed for your use. Check out my Oregon Wildflowers…HERE.
Nature Photography Workshops
I’m working on my 2016 schedule and Oregon Wildflowers will assuredly be on the workshop schedule next year. You can check out my current Wildlife, Nature and Creative Photography Workshops…HERE.
