Wildflowers were in full bloom and the views are amazing.  Balsamroot, Lupines, and other flowers are covering the ground as you walk by. 

On a clear day (it wasn't for me) you can see Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood.  

There isn't a restroom available, and the portable toilet was completely full the day I was there.  Try to plan ahead.

Balsamroot and lupine update: Balsamoot is blooming lower on the trail, but there is still a lot of blooming to come as you go higher. There are a few lupine blooms, but most are in the bud or pre-bud stage. It seems like there were more paintbrush than lupine in bloom.

A few muddy spots on the trail.

Relatively easy trail that climbs to Tom McCall point through wildflower fields to wide-open views of the Columbia River and Columbia Gorge.  Not as busy during the week.  

Plan was for an Eastern Gorge wildflower sunrise. We ended up doing a trifecta of hikes starting with McCall Point.  We arrived around 5:30am to mostly clear skies and a steady breeze.  The cloud cover thickened some after sunrise. (There were 6 vehicles already there though we only saw 2 people who arrived after us).

Next up Memaloose Hills.  The lot was empty when we arrived, and 2 additional cars when we left though again, we only saw two people on our way back out.

The final trail was one we've not done before, (my favorite kind of hike!), Mosier Plateau.  The trail starts right in the town of Moiser, taking you through a small cemetery before passing Mosier Falls and then up to the plateau. 

While there were some fresh balsamroot on each hike, much are past peak, especially toward the top of Memaloose Hill.  However, there are a great variety of flowers that are peaking or just coming on so there is plenty of color to be seen.

*Despite long pants and gaiters, I managed to pick up a tick on my lower leg. It was not noticed until the drive home, so not sure where it hitched a ride from. I will be better about tick checks going forward.

Wildflowers we’re about a week past peak but this easy hike was still worth the drive for Portland. We found it kid friendly. Avoid weekends.