03/15/08
Catherine Creek - Major Creek Overlook
57 Photos
Catherine Creek - Major Creek Overlook Loop Hike
The trail where photos were taken is colored red.
Park a quarter mile east of the Catherine Creek trailhead at this road
There is a private grave along the road/trail
In spring the Shooting Star wildflowers are common
Follow this road for about a quarter mile as you begin your climb
Continue north on this road until it heads west, then keep northward
A look to the southwest toward Mt Hood, Oregon covered in clouds here
A very old roadbed becomes your trail to the ridgetop
In spring this area if dripping in colorful wildflowers such as these Yellowbells
A look to the east
You can catch a glimpse of Mt Hood in the clouds to the southwest
The trail continues to climb fairly steeply
Grass Widows are one of the very first flowers in the spring
The trail continues to climb
You will walk through a small stand of large Ponderosa Pine trees
Another look to the east
Some of these Ponderosa are very tall
The trail continues to climb
The trail continues to climb
The trail continues to climb
Keep in mind that Major Creek borders the north and east flank of this hike
Nearing the ridgetop
Another look back to the east
An oak tree greets you at the summit
Looking to the north you catch a glimpse of Mt Adams
A telephoto shot of Mt Adams
Now the trail passes through a dense oak forest
In the spring you will see the Oak Toothwart wildflowers along the trail
The trail climbs through the oak forest
Now as the trail breaks out of the forest you get great views
Multicolored Grass Widow wildflowers along the trail in the open fields
Looking southwest past a huge Ponderosa tree at Mt Hood, Oregon
Looking down at a meadow along Catherine Creek
Looking down the Catherine Creek drainage
A look back up toward to end of the Catherine Creek drainage
As you descend from the ridgetop, you get plenty of great views to the east
Here you see the Columbia River several miles below you
The way down really isn't a trail, just follow the open fields downhill
More Yellow Bell wildflowers
Continuing to drop in elevation
Another look to the east
Another look to the south toward the main parking area for Catherine Creek
Another group of Yellowbells and a Grass Widow
Continue to drop in elevation
A look back at the ridge from which you are descending
You will drop down into the gully in front of you
But before you descend, walk out on the point between the two small trees
A lone hiker stands on the cliff overlooking Catherine Creek and the arch
Looking east from the viewpoint
Looking past the powerlines toward the arch
Telephoto view of trail below used to circle the arch - see Hike #52
Looing back uphill as you descend into the gully
Buttercup wildflower
Now in the bottom of the gully, head east and follow an old roadbed to the left
When you reach this junction follow this old road back to your vehicle
Or, you can just follow this creekbed back to your vehicle
Almost to the place where you parked
Saxifrag wildflowers along the creek near where you began this hike
---------------------------------The End of Another Excellent Adventure!-----------------------------------
NW Anthem
Majestic
Big Horizons
Natures Majesty