Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

March 23 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Birding Day: Gorge Wildflowers – Catherine Creek, Lyle Cherry Orchard and Horsethief Butte *FULL*

This is a self-driving day trip. We will meet at 8 a.m. at Catherine Creek trailhead (45.7105, -121.3621), which is approximately a one-hour and twenty-minute drive from Portland. Bring lunch and dress for the weather.

The wildflowers of Catherine Creek are magnificent at this time of year! We’ll be looking for Yellow Fritillary, Oneflower Broomrape, Nuttall’s Larkspur, Pacific Hound’s Tongue, Checker and Glacier Lily, Poet’s Shooting Star, and a variety of saxifrages and lomatiums. Although this is not primarily a birding trip, we may find Western Bluebird, Lewis’s, and Acorn Woodpecker, among others.

After Catherine Creek, we will walk a little ways up the Lyle Cherry Orchard trail. It is usually windy higher up, so we won’t go too far. There are slightly different plants flowering here as it is just a little further east.Sometimes the first butterflies of the year will fly near the parking area.

Our final stop will be Horsethief Butte. We will walk around the butte looking for Gorman’s Bisquitroot and Bonneville Shooting Star. Canyon and Rock Wren might be sounding off during our brief walk.

*A Discover Pass is required for Horsethief Butte.

$95 – $125

Rest stops: We will have rest stops between walks. A Discover Pass is required for Horsethief Butte.

Sun exposure: Mostly full
Amenities (bathrooms and parking): Portapotties will be available at the first and last stop, gas stations will be available along the drive. None at Lyle Cherry Orchard.
Public transit: None

Accessibility

Distance: At least two walks of up to two miles each, up to four miles total
Elevation changes: There is considerable elevation change on both hikes, but we will be slow
Trail: Somewhat rocky trails
Pacing: Slow

Spring has sprung!

Join Stefan for an exhilarating day of wildflowers and birds at Catherine Creek and Deschutes River Canyon!

Register

Trip Details

  • Leader: Stefan Schlick
  • Date and time: March 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Fee: $95 members / $125 non-members

  • Limited to 10 participants
  • *A Discover Pass is required for Horsethief Butte.

Details

Date:
March 23
Time:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event Categories:
, ,