6 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Headed out early this morning, making a stop up on Mt. Hood to enjoy some early morning tranquility and snow before heading down in to the Gorge for more flower hunting. Today was a very successful day, I came across both flowers I have been looking forward to all season, the Chocolate lily and the Fairy Slipper Orchid, both of which we found at Hood River Mt. We arrived at 8 am and were the only ones, by the time we left there were about 6 other cars and some horses. Next we headed down to the Rowena area for more flowers. And finally we made a stop at Oneonta Gorge on the way home, where I stumbled across a 10-11 inch giant pacific salamander! Truly an awesome day "treasure hunting" in the Gorge, and made it home by 2 pm.
