On May 20 Greg and I headed to Horse Rock Ridge. He ADORES this hike and goes at least once every spring. This was my first time here during the wildflower bloom. In addition to the flowers, we caught a lucky break with the views when the morning cloud cover burned off in the afternoon.
Long ago a road led right up to the edge of the meadow, but the BLM has decommissioned that road to protect the area. Now you have to hike it, but it’s an easy stroll.
Then you emerge from the forest into the meadow, which stretches away into the distance.
The meadow doesn’t have the spectacular displays of showy balsamroot and lupine that have been blooming in the eastern Gorge, but it has plenty of other wildflowers.
The BLM recognized the site’s botanical importance and established it as a Research Natural Area (RNA) in June 1995. It had previously been established as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1984. But although this spot of land is protected, the surrounding area is not, and the view is unfortunately peppered with clearcuts.
At the far end of the meadow the trail climbs up through the trees to a radio tower. I went up there while I waited for Greg. No views here.
But the tower is at the end of a road and down that road a very short distance a clearcut enables a view of the Willamette Valley:
Back at the meadow we sat and enjoyed the view. Mt. Jefferson had its head in the clouds:
The Three Sisters:
Hiking back:
This is a great hike if you have kids because it’s short and easy with a nice payoff at the end. Greg says there should be wildflowers blooming for another two weeks or so.
