Rowena Crest Trail

April 13, 2014

The past couple of Aprils we’ve headed out the Columbia Gorge to Mosier to have lunch at the Mosier Community Dinner which supports the local volunteer fire department. Mosier is a small town and this dinner at the local Grange hall has a small town feel. The locals make various salads and sides and they have a big smoker full of salmon out front. Seating is community style so you get to meet people who have been coming to this shindig for over 40 years.

Before dinner we went with the Watsons and Lees a bit past Mosier to the Rowena Crest Trail overlooking the majestic Columbia River. It’s about 90 miles from our home on the west side of Portland.

We started in Beaverton, way on the left, and headed east 90 miles to get to Rowena Crest

The only way to get an idea of this expansive view is to try a picture in panorama mode.

Looking north across the Columbia River into Washington.

One of the extra benefits for me is the view of the BNSF rail line running east and west on the Washington side of the river.

Train rolling west toward Vancouver, WA

Overlooking a little canyon with homes just south of the Columbia River

Mt Hood (I think) peeking over the ridge.

John borrowed a camera from me and Jay, a retired biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service, brought his classification books to identify some of the flora.

John and Jay pursuing their crafts.

Dr. Jay classifying a plant

Karen, Carla, and Mary Ann

The girls hiked around and enjoyed the views. John, Jay, and I wouldn’t know if we had a good time until we got home and reviewed our pictures and documents.

Jay didn’t need a classification guide to identify this poison oak along the trail. I’m glad he pointed it out; I’m never sure if a tri-leaf plant is dangerous or not.