Mosier Newish Trail- 3 Year Old Friendly Mosier Plateau 4/2/16

Last year we learned of a newish trail in Mosier that is a bit easier for kids because of the distance, only about 3 miles round trip.

Last year the flowers were out in early April!

3 year old Analise and 7 year old Amy stopped by the waterfall to enjoy the view.

As we climbed the gentle slope we enjoyed the creek below.

The big needle pines and flowers made my heart happy.

We found this little lizard enjoying a sunny rock.

The hillside was bright yellow!

Flowers held tight through the wind and we enjoyed the view of the Columbia River below.

Sarah was with us.

We enjoyed the overlook of Mosier, flowers, and Columbia River.

We brought Gil along pre blue hair.

More flowers to enjoy.

We all enjoyed the lizard on a rock yoga pose!

Amy tried Rock on Rock!

Two lizards on a rock!

We enjoyed the waterfall on the way back down.

Back to the little town of Mosier.

Mosier totem pole- taking a rest before heading home. It was a great day of friends, family, sun, and flowers!

Mosier Plateau

We invited some friends to this family friendly hike up Mosier Plateau in search of wildflowers. It was still March and this year was pretty snowy so the flowers are a little late.

This hike starts going through an old cemetery overlooking the town of Mosier and the Columbia River.

In a bit there is a little waterfall. Analise stopped to enjoy the water.

She agreed to this hike even though she hates hiking and was a little more cheerful because our friends were with us.

There were a few early flowers along the way.

We had our foster dog Dixie with us. She was a street dog and has not yet learned trail etiquette but really enjoyed being outside. Analise's young friend was a bit cautious about hiking up the side of a hillside but continued to the top.

At the top we enjoyed views of the mighty Columbia River.

It is fun to watch the cars, trains, and boats below.

There were a few big needle pines.

Dixie dog!

The river was sparkling in the sunshine.

There was a bit of wind on top.

We enjoyed the start of the flowers- signs of spring.

On the way back down we stopped to appreciate the stream and the little waterfall.

Analise continued her trek back toward the car.

Here is the bridge in Mosier. This is a great hike for everyone- a little climb, a little view, wildflowers, but short and not too difficult for the young hikers.

Wildflower Amazement at Tom McCall Preserve

I took off toward Mosier on a Sunday morning following my work shift. It was the first beautiful sunny day in awhile and I needed to climb something so I decided on Mosier Plateau at Tom McCall Preserve.

It was packed as usual on a weekend but the wildflower show rivals any I have seen before.

This little climb is steep but you get to enjoy wildflowers most of the way up.

I took a break to catch my breath as the tip of Mt. Hood came into view.

The paintbrush is one of my favorite flowers that I usually associate with high meadows in Olympic National Park.

Here they were, bright red and huge!

I was happy to be on top of the world!

I spent a little time with the crowd on top gazing at mountains. Mt. Hood was in the distance.

The hills are alive!!!

My soul finds rest and joy in these beautiful flowers and the view of the mountain beyond the Columbia River.

I continued my mountain gazing for awhile.

On the way back down I could focus more on flowers and less on climbing.

The diversity and heartiness of this meadow makes me smile.

Despite all the human visitors, this place remains pretty well preserved.

All the vivid colors were fantastic!

Grateful for what the flowers teach me about resilience coming back in greater number year after year.

Looking across the river to the mountain view.

Back down at the bottom with a sea of yellow.

See you next spring Tom McCall Preserve!