Started out from the parking area at Catherine’s Creek with the intention to follow a the route described by Bobcat on another site Catherine Creek - Roland Basin Loop.
Took the trail to the right Instead of the one to the left and ended on FR 021 instead of FR 015. Oh well.
The trail starts out as a wide path that is more like a gravel road. At about 1 mile, it narrows to a single person path. This is where the poison oak described in my other reports starts. It is impressive to see the areas carpeted with gold and red leaves of the poison oak. It was pretty dry and wasn’t an issue on the actual trail.
The trail goes past Catherine’s arch which is on the right. The oak trees blocked much of the view of the arch and I missed it on the way up. The first leg seemed to end at a high grassy area. With great views of the Columbia River and Mt Hood. What looked like the path down the hill dwindled to nothing and I turned back, thinking I must have missed a turn.
I crossed the dry creek and head up the hill on the other side. This path was more like an animal trail so I started leaving stick arrows to mark the way in case I ended up returning on that route.
The path opened onto a very long grassy hill, not Sunflower hill, the one just to the east of it. Thinking the path would be more obvious once I got to the top, I trudged up and up what looked like dry creek beds.
There was no discernible trail at the top. I decided I was completely off track and retraced my steps to the parking lot. It was a lovely walk, even though it was 85 degrees and I was a bit lost.
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