05/03/07
Catherine Creek Arch Loop Hike
47 Photos
Catherine Creek
The trail where photos were taken is colored red.
The trail head to the Catherine Creek hiking area
There is a toilet across the road at Catherine Creek parking area
This is a very popular hike in the spring due to the outstanding floral displays
This gateway is at the east end of the parking area
The trail is obvious and follows an old road for about half the hike
The Oregon White Oak is the common tree in the lowlands of the eastern gorge
The road/trail crosses Catherine Creek
They have a small plank bridge for you to use to cross the creek
The trail now begins a gentle climb past the arch as it makes a loop
Looking up at the cliffs where the trail is headed
The road/trail continues past an old corral
Looking up at the Catherine Creek Arch - the trail will take you to the top
Now the road/trail climbs more steeply for a short distance
The road/trail continues to climb
Now the road/trail levels off and you walk through a forested area
In season the entire hike is surrouned by a huge variety of wildflowers
The road/trail continues
In this area there are giant clovers
The road/trail continues
Looking to the east side of the trail
The road/trail continues just a bit further
Here the trail bears to the right and leaves the old roadbed
The trail will now loop over the top of the Arch and back to the place you began
The trail climbs a bit to get above the Arch
Looking to the west and at Catherine Creek Canyon
A Western Fence Lizard lives in this area
Looking to the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge
The trail now heads downhill toward the top of the Arch
Looking south across the Columbia River toward the state of Oregon
Another look to the west past the a cliff to Catherine Creek Canyon
Bi-colored Cluster Lilies line the path in spring
Looking downhill toward the Columbia River
The trail now begins to descend
Another glance toward Catherine Creek Canyon
The trail continues to descend
The crack in the earth ahead is the top of the Arch
Looking to the east
The top of the Catherine Creek Arch - you can walk down through it if you want to
Looking east as the trail descends to the road where you began
The trail continues to descend
Looking down at the parking area where you began this hike
Wildflowers line the trail in season
Looking west at Catherine Creek Canyon
One of the most beautiful of flowers along the trail - Bitterroot
Looking toward Catherine Creek Canyon
The road that returns you to your vehicle crosses Catherine Creek Canyon
The California Poppy and Bachelor Button wildflowers line the road
---------------------------------The End of Another Excellent Adventure!-----------------------------------
NW Anthem
Majestic
Big Horizons
Natures Majesty