Klickitat Trail Hike
March 22, 2003	Klickitat River- - Lyle, Washington
Jeanette and I battled a monstrous rain storm as we drove through Portland and up the Columbia River Gorge hoping for greater protection on the east side. At our starting point at Fisher Hill Bridge, just up the Klickitat River from the Washington town of Lyle we did find less rain, but still rain. This was a members only hike for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, led by Friends Director Kevin Gorman and Klickitat Trail Conservacy President Bob Hansen.
Start of the hike at Fisher Hill Bridge - - - insert - Oregon Grape
The Klickitat Trail runs along the Klickitat River on an old Burlington Northern railroad bed. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy purchased the railbanked corridor from Burlington Northern in 1993 and in the following year donated it to the Washington State Parks with the understanding that the U.S. Forest Service would plan, developed and manage the trail for public use.
insert - Columbia Desert Parsley
We hiked some three miles up the river enjoying many of the new flowers of spring, many we have already seen this season; Grass Widows, Praire Stars, Golden Stars, Shooting Stars, Buttercups, Columbian Desert Parsley and Balsam Root. We also got our first look at Dutchman’s Breeches a beautiful member of the Bleeding Heart Family.
heading back - - - insert - Balsam Root
Additional Photo #1 Shooting Stars