Columbia Gorge Hike, Tom McCall Point - Photoblog

Oregon - May 2019

A friend and I set out on this hike on a sunny morning in early May. It was windy and cool—around 50°F—but by afternoon the temperature had risen to a pleasant 70°F. The first half of the trail was relatively flat and easy, while the second half became more strenuous.

Poison oak appeared in several areas along the trail, and we had been warned by other hikers about recent rattlesnake sightings. Fortunately, the only snakes we encountered were a couple of harmless Pacific gopher snakes.

At the summit, we enjoyed a simple lunch while taking in spectacular views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams. Our cameras were active throughout the hike, and the strong winds required fast shutter speeds to avoid motion blur. In some images, the wildflowers can be seen bending and struggling against the wind.

By the end of the hike, my step counter showed we had covered just over five miles—including many extra steps taken while photographing along the way. The total elevation gain to the summit was approximately 1,100 feet.

Experiencing this trail with millions of balsamroot in full bloom, set against the backdrop of two majestic, snow-capped mountains, was truly overwhelming. It created a lasting sense of exhilaration that stayed with me for days.

Rated as moderately difficult, this hike is one I would highly recommend to anyone up for the challenge.

Balsamroot flowers