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Tom McCall Preserve

© Wayne R. Brown

Early this week I turned forty (alas, half a lifetime over and where has it gone?) As a present to myself, I got in the car and watched the Willamette Valley disappear in the rear view mirror as I headed east, toward the desert.

Not wanting to deal with mountain passes, I chose as my route the ever beautiful, Columbia River Gorge. I've traveled its length many times as an adult and, before that, as a child. It has always seemed a friend to me, one I have known longer than almost any other.

Wanting to include a hike, I pulled the appropriate book by William Sullivan off the bookshelf and paged through it 'til I found a suitable hike. It's funny, though I think every hike I've chronicled here so far is covered in one of his books, this is the first time I actually used the book first to choose the hike. I hope to eventually include at least a hike or two here that he hasn't written about first, but fear I may have to venture beyond Oregon to do so. It seems the man has hiked every trail in the state.

At any rate, you're probably here because you want to read about a hike, so let's get back to that.

To reach the spot, drive east from Portland on Interstate 84. About nine miles past Hood River take the Rowena exit. Turn right onto the Mosier-The Dalles Highway. This will take you generally westbound for about six and a half miles as you climb toward the Rowena Crest Viewpoint. Across the road from the entrance to the viewpoint you will find parking for three or so vehicles next to a sign and a fence. This is the start of the trail.

The dirt path leads a bit over a mile out to the end of a rocky little plateau that overlooks the Columbia river. On the way you will pass two ponds surrounded by trees and thigh high brush. An optional, side trail takes you around the east side of the first of these. This is a short, easy hike suitable for just about anyone.

Here are a couple of things to remember. As this is a preserve, bicycles and dogs are not allowed. The hiker is also asked to stay on the designated trails and not to pick the flowers.

A word of caution is in order. While the trail is easy, the cliffs are both tall and steep. Anybody going over the edge is unlikely to ever come back. Though the trail may be suitable for children, I wouldn't let them anywhere near the cliffs except under very close supervision. Another word of caution; according to Sullivan, the second pond is surrounded by poison oak. The ponds, I think, are best observed from outside the rings of brush that surrounds them.