Horsethief ButteHuge lupine and balsamroot flower displays are profuse throughout the spring, with white biscuit root, yellow bells, salt-and-pepper lomatium, and some type of wallflower species filling the carpet of color that spreads over the area. Still, all is not peaceful. There is death camas aplenty here, and tons of poison oak in the rocks of the butte. Be careful! While this hike is short, you can combine it with other nearby hiking routes to round out a day. Or just take your time here--our valiant photographer spent more than 2.5 hours here and had to be dragged away kicking and screaming because there were still things to see. The well-signed trail climbs away from the shoulder of SR 14 near the outhouse. Immediately you are greeted with stunning views west to the Columbia River and the area around Horsethief Lake. Above you, the butte is spectacular. The approach to the top winds through grassy meadows filled with flowers. Views continue to improve as you look south over the river and west to Horsethief Lake State Park's camp area. At the fork in the trail, stay left and head up the butte. As you climb, you'll find petroglyphs on the rock walls--but also lots of poison oak. Be careful.
Driving Directions:
From Yakima, drive east on Interstate 82 to exit 37, signed "US Highway 97/Goldendale." Drive this four-lane highway to a signed right-turn only to US 97/Goldendale once you reach Toppenish. Drive south on US 97 through Goldendale until you reach a junction with State Route 14. Drive west on SR 14 for 14.7 miles and find the Horsethief Butte trailhead on your left (if coming from the west, drive 1.2 miles past the entrance to Horsethief Lake State Park). Park along the somewhat wide gravel shoulder of SR 14 on either side of the highway. Recent Trip Reports
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Horsethief Butte
— Apr 16, 2011
— Mountain Lover
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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This is a short meander around and on the butte. It was full of rock climbers and surrounded by...
This is a short meander around and on the butte. It was full of rock climbers and surrounded by lots of balsamroot and fields of fiddleneck flowers. The parking lot is currently being repaved it looks like, so people are parking along the roadside of #410.
Coyote Wall, Horsethief Butte
— Apr 09, 2011
— Mountain Lover
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Flowers are blooming. Some say it's a few weeks delayed but I counted at least 30+ different flower types....
Flowers are blooming. Some say it's a few weeks delayed but I counted at least 30+ different flower types. The Horsethief Butte was full of rock climbers and the ground around it full of fiddlenecks and balsamroot.
The Coyote Wall is very green and flower rich and the springs are running high. New place for me and for a Saturday, it was quiet. Not many people at all. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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We made a loop cross-country hike around Horsethief Butte and then stopped at Catherine Creek and hiked the paved loop...
We made a loop cross-country hike around Horsethief Butte and then stopped at Catherine Creek and hiked the paved loop trail. A week before, both areas had been under snow but were bare on Jan. 10. At Horsethief Butte we found the first Salt and Pepper (Lomatium piperi)in bloom. At Catherine Creek, I counted around 8 Grass Widows (Sisyrinchium douglasii) in bloom visible from the paved trail.
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Horsethief Butte. Photo by Sunrise Creek.
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