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Catherine Creek LbNA #38621 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 29, 2008
Location:
City:Lyle
County:Klickitat
State:Washington
Boxes:1
Planted by:Wildhair
Found by: Shabbathown
Last found:Mar 15, 2010
Status:FFFFm
Last edited:Mar 29, 2008
(missing as of August 25, 2012 12:12)
History:
A century ago the hills above Catherine Creek were such a bright yellow in the spring with wildflowers that it was nicknamed Sunflower Hill. Decades of sheep and cattle grazing have greatly reduced the number of balsamroot plants. This area was made part of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area in 1987. Volunteers and the Forest Service have been working since then to maintain the trails and to restore over 90 species of native flowers to the area.

Directions:
East bound - from Bingen, WA. Follow Hwy 14 approx. 4.6 miles from Bingen, to just before mile post 71, turn left on Old Hwy 8 (County Road 1230). Go approx 1.4 miles to the parking area on your left.
West Bound - from Lyle, WA. Follow Hwy 14 approx. ¼ mile turn right on Old Hwy 8.

Hike length: 1 ½ miles or 2 for the whole loop.
Staying on the same side of the street that you park, walk through the metal gate in between the rock filled fence squares. Follow the right path trail #020. This trail is a loop that will take you past an old corral and a natural basalt arch, seen from above and below. Stop just before you reach Catherine Creek look on your right between pine and post #021 under rocks, before you carry on.
Enjoy!