Friends Wraps up a Great Spring Hike Season

As we enter the long days of summer, Friends of the Columbia Gorge celebrates a successful spring hiking sesason with 59 outings!  Friends would like to extend a special thank you to our 55 dedicated volunteer hike-leaders and shepherds for guiding over 800 individuals on hikes, bicycle rides and auto tours in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge!   The success of our hiking season is a testament to our volunteers who lead informative hikes about the natural, historical, botanical, and cultural wonders of this unique and wild area. Over 125 hikers joined us for the first time! Some of the season’s highlights included a "Get to Know Your Gorge" auto tour, bike rides on the Historic Columbia River Highway, and our traditional wildflower hikes, following the blooms from the eastern edge of the Gorge to its western border. Despite the endless rain during May and June, we trekked on, viewing the vibrancy of the wildflowers as they emerged from the mud.

Friends’ appreciates the opportunity to partner with the following organizations to enhance our outings: Klickitat Trail Conservancy, Ice Age Floods Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Pacific Power, the Native Plant Society, Trailkeepers of Oregon, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Desert Trail Association, Friends of Multnomah Falls, and Washington Trails Association.

Get ready for fall! Our next hiking season starts on September 18.  Visit our website in mid-August for a complete list of guided hikes.  Memories, trail treats, and stories will be shared by all. Below is a snapshot of our season (photos by Maegan Jossy). To get involved with our hiking program, please contact Maegan at 503-241-3762 x103

Line of hikers along the Deschutes River Trail headed to Fishers Spring Indian Paintbrush at Silver Star Mountain

Oregon Sunshine flower reaching for the sky atop Vista Meadows

Group photo at  Dalles Mountain