Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Protecting the Gorge Since 1980 Spring 2009 Newsletter

Inside: Wilderness at Last! Page 4

Protecting Fragile Wildflowers Page 8

Featured Hike: Indian Point Page 11 Friends of the Columbia Gorge The Gorge Face

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u r New Gorge wildernessR areas are outlined in purple. . !( l l u Mark O. HB atfield Wilderness - Gorge Ridgeline Fr i e n d s o f t h e Co l u m b i a Go r g e !( . Prepared ak t the request of U. S. Senator Wyden - September, 2006 F . Additions N Existing US Forest Service Base Data La n d T r u s t !( !( riends celebrates President Obama’sGorge Ri dgeline Mt. HoodThe NF DEIS is awaitingCounty Lines approvalO Rfrom E G O N !( !( Wilderness Areas Wilderness Other Ownership Lakes Highways £ (!14 Bo a r d o f T r u s t e e s recent signing of the Omnibus Public Secretary of Interior Ken¨¦§84 ¤3 0Salazar. But the q River Other Paved Roads “This product is produced from information prepared by the USDA, Forest Service, or from other suppliers. The Forest Service can not assure the Aubrey Russell Pr e s i d e n t Creeks reliability or suitability of this information for a particular purpose. The data and product accuracy may vary due to compilation from various sources, !( Lands Act. This Act creates0 026,000.5 currentPacific Crest Tra iDEIS,l PCT: 2000 written before the Wilderness !( including modeling and interpretation, and may not meet National Map Bob Hansen* Se c r e ta ry /Tr e a s u r e r All Other Trails Other Trails: 023 Accuracy Standards. This information may be updated, corrected, or !( Miles otherwise modified without notification. For more information contact: USFS Ý PNW Region 6. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.” acresF of new wilderness in the Columbia billPave dpassed, Roads Arteria lsdoes: 20 not consider any casino impacts Bowen Blair, Jr.

Jim Desmond !( Gorge, including ancient forests on Larch to the newly designated wilderness area.

!( Dustin Klinger !( Mountain, the landscapes around Eagle Please urge Secretary Salazar to require Christine Knowles* Creek Canyon,!( and the spectacular ridgeline a supplemental EIS that considers the casino’s Angie Moore !(

above Cascade Locks. !( !( impact on new Gorge wilderness. Comment !( St a f f !( But a massive casino is still proposed points!( and an action form are on our website !( Nathan Baker St a f f At t o r n e y !( almost adjacent to this new Gorge at www.gorgefriends.org!( . Or contact Secretary o n s e r v a t i o n r g a n i z e r !( Kelley Beamer C O !( wilderness area. The Draft Environmental Salazar !(directly: Justin Carroll Ex e c u t i v e Ass i s ta n t

Peter Cornelison* Fi e l d Re p r e s e n tat i v e Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project Interior Secretary Ken Salazar !( Kevin Gorman Ex e c u t i v e Di r e c t o r finds a casino would harm fish and wildlife. Department of the Interior !( Jane Harris De v e l o pm e n t Di r e c t o r Vehicle noise and pollution from three 1849 C Street, N.W. t e w a r d s h i p o o r d i n a t o r Merrit Hoeh S C !( Michael Lang Co n s e r v a t i o n Di r e c t o r million annual visitors, plus bright 24-hour Washington DC 20240

!( Marilyn Lipko De v e l o pm e n t Ass i s ta n t lighting, would have a significant adverse Phone: 202-208-3100 !( Kate McBride* La n d T r u s t Ma n a g e r impact on this new wilderness. E-Mail: [email protected] Rick Till La n d Us e La w Cl e r k Renee Tkach* Ou t d o o r Pr o g r a ms Co o r d i n a t o r * Gorge residents !( !( Your actions for Ad d i t i o n a l Su p p o r t Active citizen support makes the difference! Legal Counsel: Gary Kahn Gorge protection are crucial to our success. Contact your Senators and Representatives using Newsletter Design: Kathy Fors and the information below, or check www.senate.gov or www.house.gov for other offices. !( Kathleen Krushas (To the Point Publications) !( Editor: Betsy Toll Washington Po r t l a n d Of f i c e Sen. Ron Wyden, (202) 224-5244 Sen. Patty Murray, (202) 224-2621 522 SW Fifth Avenue, #720 http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/ http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm Portland, Oregon 97204 Sen. Jeff Merkley, (202) 224-3753 Sen. Maria Cantwell, (202) 224-3441 (503) 241-3762 [email protected] http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/ Go r g e Of f i c e Rep. David Wu, (202) 225-0855 Rep. Brian Baird, (202) 225-3536 205 Oak Street, #17 Hood River, Oregon 97031 Rep. Earl Blumenauer, (202) 225-4811 Rep. Doc Hastings, (202) 225-5816 (541) 386-5268 Rep. Greg Walden, (202) 225-6730 Rep. Norm Dicks, (202) 225-5916 www.gorgefriends.org Rep. Peter DeFazio, (202) 225-6416 Email your Congressional Representative by Rep. Kurt Schrader, (202) 225-5711 logging on to www.house.gov/writerep/

2 Cover photo: St. Peter’s Dome at sunset, in the new wilderness area. Photo: David Jensen, www.agpix.com/djensen Director’s Letter

hese days, it seems almost every nonprofits are often lauded as effectively and volunteerism and activism are at all- conversation anywhere turns to run organizations, due to low overhead. time highs. our dreary economy. A recent But only a strong membership can Without a deep root system, the hikeT in the eastern Gorge offered me a demonstrate to elected officials that beautiful old oak tree I saw on my hike fresh perspective on our organization the public cares about an issue. Now, likely would have fallen long ago in the as we weather these tough times. That with foundation assets tumbling off an Gorge’s harsh winds. As our country now perspective came in the form of an economic cliff, foundation-dependent faces a stiff economic headwind, I give expansive oak tree standing tall against the groups find themselves without money thanks that with Friends’ deep roots— Gorge’s winds. and without a base of public support. our members—we are able to continue Friends of the Columbia Gorge was Friends isn’t immune to the standing strong for the Gorge. born during the economic “malaise” of foundation free fall; nine months into our 1980. Our founder Nancy Russell knew fiscal year, our revenues are some 13% that in tough times we could cling to fear below budget projections, mostly due to New Gorge wilderness areas are outlined in purple. or cling to hope. Nancy opted for hope, decreased foundation funding. But the vast building this organization one member at majority of our members are sticking with Kevin Gorman a time, leading hikes, giving slideshows, us. Our recent annual meeting posted Executive Director and cajoling everyone she knew to record attendance and our spring hikes contribute. That same grassroots approach are as popular as ever. Our was successfully employed to pass the membership numbers Columbia River Gorge National Scenic are strong, Area Act a few years later. The creation of our organization and our greatest legislative achievement came in the midst of a national recession. The lesson in those accomplishments is that, even in adverse conditions, with hard work and steely resolve we can persevere. By building a deep and sturdy root system —meaning you, our members—Friends of the Columbia Gorge has grown into a resilient organization capable of withstanding hard times. Many non-profits today thrive on the largesse of charitable foundations. Because grantwriting is less time-consuming than building a broad membership, these

Friends of the Columbia Gorge works to ensure that the beautiful and wild Columbia Gorge remains a place apart, an unspoiled treasure for generations to come.

3 Photo: Friends of the Columbia Gorge archives Wilderness at Last! A five-year effort pays off as Congress protects wilderness including the Columbia Gorge

Michael Lang, Conservation Director, [email protected]

riends of the Columbia Gorge acres of forests, creeks, cliffs, and canyons The Larch Mountain addition includes and wilderness lovers everywhere within the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Creek, the Oneonta Creek celebrated in March when Congress The new Gorge wilderness canyon, and Bell Creek. These watersheds passedF the 2009 Omnibus Public Lands designations include lands on Larch encompass stands of old-growth Douglas Management Act. President Mountain and along the “Gorge Face,” south fir and cedar that will now be permanently signed the legislation into law, designating of Interstate 84 from Multnomah Creek protected as wilderness. two million acres of new wilderness east to Viento near Hood River. Considered Friends of the Columbia Gorge nationwide. In Oregon, that translates some of the most rugged, picturesque, and Oregon Wild struck a compromise to 202,000 acres that are now forever and pristine Gorge landscapes, these are with mountain bike advocates to exclude off limits to logging, road building, and the forests and cliffs that inspired Sam the Larch Mountain loop trial from the development—the first major Oregon Lancaster, John Yeon, Nancy Russell, and Wilderness bill. That trail is open to wilderness designations in 25 years. The countless others to dedicate their lives to mountain bikes but would have been closed sweeping legislation contains nearly 26,000 protecting the Columbia Gorge. to bikes if designated as Wilderness. This

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Weisendanger Falls on upper Multnomah Creek is in the newly protected wilderness. 4 Photo: ©Greg Lief, www.oregonwildflowers.org “The Oregon Congressional delegation deserves a strong round of applause for its dedicated work to ensure protection…” compromise and other modifications to the wilderness proposal eased mountain bikers’ Old growth cedar and fir stands concerns and removed an obstacle to the at Wahkeena Springs now have passage of the bill. The 1964 Wilderness wilderness protection. Act precludes mechanized modes of Photo: ©Greg Lief transportation in wilderness areas. The Gorge Face addition includes the spectacular cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls from Oneonta Creek on the west end of the gorge to Viento Creek in Hood River County. The northern boundary of the new wilderness addition is within one mile of the Columbia River and in some areas as close as one-quarter mile. Much of Herman Creek and its spawning habitat for salmon and steelhead are included in the new wilderness additions. The boundary in this location is less than one-half mile from the site of the proposed off-reservation casino. Approval and construction of a massive casino resort at this site would undoubtedly lands around the Wilderness, The Oregon Congressional delegation harm the wilderness values that Congress , Salmon deserves a strong round of applause for sought to protect with the passage of the Huckleberry Wilderness, and Bull of the its dedicated work to ensure protection Omnibus Public Lands Management Act. Woods Wilderness. In addition, the bill of Larch Mountain, the Gorge Face, and Both Larch Mountain and the Gorge created new wilderness areas including the numerous other wilderness areas Face are included within a federally the , Roaring River in Oregon that are included in this new designated Special Management Area Wilderness, wilderness legislation. Special thanks go to (SMA) of the Columbia River Gorge in the Siskiyou National Forest, Soda Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl National Scenic Area. These areas are Mountain Wilderness in southwestern Blumenauer and their staffs for their years designated as “open space,” the most Oregon along the California border, Spring of work leading to final passage of this bill. protective designation within the Scenic Basin Wilderness along the John Day River, Friends also gives special thanks to Oregon Area. Over the past five years, however, and the Badlands Wilderness east of Bend. Wild (formerly Oregon Natural Resources the Forest Service has attempted to The bill also includes ninety miles of Council) for working with us to ensure allow commercial logging and vegetation Oregon rivers to be protected as “Wild and that Larch Mountain and the Gorge Face management activities on open space Scenic” under the Wild and Scenic Rivers are protected as wilderness lands within Scenic Area lands. In response, Friends and Act, including the East and Middle Forks the Columbia River Gorge. our allies in the conservation community of the Hood River. Friends was able to Please see page 2 and contact Secretary sought greater protection for these lands as insert a minor amendment to the National of Interior Ken Salazar, asking him to oppose federally designated wilderness. Scenic Area Act into the wilderness bill that development of a casino resort at the doorstep of Under the new legislation, other restored protection of the mainstem of the the newly designated Gorge Face addition to the wilderness expansions in Oregon include Hood River. Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness! 5 Land Trust Catherine Creek, Major Creek, and Memaloose Island are seen from the Land Trust’s new Memaloose property. Photo: Aubrey Russell

Land Trust Acquires Memaloose View Property

Kate McBride, Land Trust Manager, [email protected]

n February, Friends of the Columbia the place he wanted to retire and build his The U.S. Forest Service has long Gorge Land Trust purchased a house.” Carol recalled seeing many deer and considered creating a recreation plan for the beautiful ten-acre parcel bordered wild turkey on the property when she visited Memaloose area, which features breathtaking byI public land on three sides in the her parents. viewpoints and wildflower meadows that Memaloose area. Extending east from are exceptional even for the Gorge. The new Mosier to Rowena Crest in Oregon, the land trust property may eventually become Memaloose area is a priority acquisition a part of that plan. The house is currently landscape for the land trust due to its being rented out to defray costs while we scenic beauty, abundance of wildflowers, work with public agencies to develop long- and vulnerability to development. term plans for the area. The view from our new property looks directly over Memaloose Island to Dancing Rock Update the Catherine Creek and Major Creek emoval of invasive plants is going areas across the river, as well as up and Rstrong on the Land Trust’s property down the Columbia. The property is in a at Dancing Rock, near Dalles Mountain relatively natural state, boasting abundant Road in Klickitat County. Since early wildlife and wildflowers. winter, three different volunteer parties In the early 1980s, even before have logged more than 150 hours removing passage of the Columbia River Gorge blackberry thickets in the riparian area National Scenic Area Act, former owner on the land. Over the next two years, we Clarence Jenkinson built an unobtrusive plan to re-establish a native plant regime in dark-colored cedar home. Mr. Jenkinson’s this beautiful oak woodland. To volunteer, daughter, Carol Cole, said recently, “My Volunteers from Columbia Gorge Community contact our stewardship coordinator Merrit father knew immediately when he saw College help with stewardship at Friends’ Hoeh at 503-242-3762 x103 or at merrit@ the views from the property that this was Dancing Rock property. Photo: Kate McBride gorgefriends.org. 6 Outreach and Activities

Lend a Hand to the Land Merrit Hoeh, Stewardship Coordinator [email protected]

pring is in full swing and Friends’ stewardship volunteers are out in the Gorge cutting back brambles, pulling invasive weeds, recontouring eroding slopes, and Photo: Michael O’Connor Sseeding open areas with native grasses. Friends will coordinate fourteen “Lend a Hand to the Land” stewardship projects at six different Gorge locations in the Kids Outdoors in the Gorge coming months. Volunteers will visit new landscapes, learn ome and help sixth graders from Washougal, WA enjoy about native plants, help preserve wildlife habitat, and make outdoor education at Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge and new friends. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Drinks, Lewis and Clark Park on Wednesday, May 27. snacks, gloves, and tools are provided. CSchool funding for outdoor education has been cut, so donors and volunteers with Friends’ Vic Clausen Youth Fund are reaching Come out and Lend a Hand to the Land! out to educate the upcoming generation of environmental stewards. To volunteer, contact Merrit at 503-241-3762 x106 or merrit@ You can help make our Youth Fund program enriching and gorgefriends.org, or check www.gorgefriends.org/stewardship/ inspiring for kids. To help on May 27, contact Renee at renee@ for the schedule. gorgefriends.org or 503-241-3762 x103.

Solstice Wood Fire Café Peter Cornelison, Field Representative [email protected]

he Solstice Wood Fire Café is a warm and welcoming gathering place in Bingen, on the Washington side of Tthe river. The rich earth-tone interior, a huge colorful chalkboard wall, and a wood-fired pizza oven give the restaurant a comfortable, homey feel—exactly what owners Aaron and Suzanne Baumhackl intended. Aaron came to the Gorge in 2005 on an exploratory road trip. He was working as a river guide in California and fell in love with the area. He and Suzanne and moved to Bingen the following year. Aaron had previously worked as a cook and Suzanne as a nutritional expert, so they decided to open a very special pizza restaurant. They love the Gorge and have opened up the Solstice Café to Friends of the Columbia Gorge, The Headwaters Institute, and Gorge Grown Food Network for community events. Next time you’re in Bingen and feeling hungry after a day of hiking, stop in at Solstice Wood Fire Café. We know you’ll be Solstice Wood Fire Café in Bingen is a popular community gathering place. glad you did. Left: Solstice Café owners Aaron and Suzanne Baumhackl. Photos: Peter Cornelison

7 Legal and Conservation

The tiny few-flowered blue-eyed Mary, Friends’ Conservation and Legal staff (from or Collinsia sparsiflora,at Catherine left) Rick Till, Michael Lang, and Nathan Creek could be threatened by horse use Baker visited Catherine Creek to evaluate in the area. likely impacts of horse use to wildflower communities in the area. Photos: Angie Moore Catherine Creek Rare Wildflowers at Risk

Rick Till, Land Use Law Clerk, [email protected]

he U.S. Forest Service recently Barbara Robinson explains the characteris- fertile soil would be crowded out by issued its final decision for the tics of this ecosystem: bigger plants and lush grass. It is habitat Burdoin Mountain, Coyote Wall, “The thin, relatively infertile soils for extensive stands of Washington sen- andT Catherine Creek Recreation Plan. sitive species such as few-flowered blue- allow a community of small, delicate Unfortunately, among other problems, the annuals and perennials to survive eyed Mary (Collinsia sparsiflora), poet’s Recreation Plan fails to protect the rare, and thrive, which in deeper or more shooting star (Dodecatheon poeticum), and highly sensitive plant communities found in the Gorge endemic narrow-leaf onion the lower elevations of the Catherine Creek (Allium amplectens)…” Open Space area. In a particularly sensitive portion of the In recent years, the area between Bur- Catherine Creek area, the Forest Service doin Mountain and Major Creek has seen initially proposed only pedestrian use, but an explosion in recreational use: mountain at the last minute decided to allow horses biking, horseback riding, and wildflower from April 1 through November 30 each viewing. With no formal trail system, year. Equestrian use in this area, especially user-made trails have evolved, leading to in spring, would likely lead to excessive harmful erosion, damage to sensitive plant trampling of vegetation and erosion of fragile species, disruption of wildlife, and conflicts soils. In addition, horse manure could fertil- between user groups. The Recreation Plan ize the soil and create favorable conditions will establish a formal trail system that for higher-growing plant communities that addresses these concerns, while allowing could crowd out sensitive wildflowers. recreational uses to continue. Friends, along with Oregon Wild Lower-elevation lands at Catherine and other partners, plans to appeal the Creek were scoured by the Ice Age Floods Naturalist Barbara Robinson has educated Gorge Forest Service’s decision in order to ensure and today hold a few thin inches of nutri- lovers of all ages about protection of native wild- protection of Catherine Creek’s unique ent-poor soils. Gorge wildflower expert flowers in the eastern Gorge. Photo: Friends Archives natural heritage.

8 Conservation Groups Prevail in Skamania County Zoning Appeal

Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney, [email protected]

n February 19, 2009, a and rock for road construction; operation The hearing examiner expressly found hearing examiner concluded of portable rock crushers; forest sawmills; “most compelling” the potential for significant that Skamania County must overnight lodging and convention facilities; adverse impacts of large-scale wind energy Oreview the environmental impacts of its and facilities for treating and storing on-site facilities on scenic and wildlife resources. plans to open up hundreds of thousands hazardous waste. The decision cites SDS Lumber Company’s of acres of land to large-scale energy The hearing examiner’s decision con- proposal to construct a massive wind energy development, increased residential cludes that “development with significant project near Underwood as an example of a growth, and other uses. The hearing adverse environmental impacts is prob- project with significant impacts that are likely examiner found that the county’s able after adoption of the proposed zoning to flow from the proposed amendments. proposal is likely to result in “significant amendments.” The decision requires the After the hearing examiner’s ruling, SDS adverse environmental impacts” County to determine the consequences of Lumber decided to bypass the county process and directed the county planning the proposed zoning amendments and to by formally applying for a state permit from department to prepare an environmental fully inform the public. This is a victory the Washington State Energy Siting and impact statement before moving forward for hundreds of Skamania County citizens Evaluation Council. with the changes. concerned that their rural quality of life For additional information on this The decision was made in response might be negatively affected by the sweeping project, visit www.efsec.wa.gov; click the to administrative appeals filed by Friends proposed changes. “Whistling Ridge” link in the right column. of the Columbia Gorge, Gifford Pinchot Task Force, Columbia Riverkeeper, and Save Our Scenic Area. In May 2008, Skamania County Commissioners voted to pursue a number of changes to the county zoning ordinance, including authorizing large- scale wind energy facilities, natural gas systems, and bioenergy facilities such as hog fuel boilers. The County proposed to authorize these and other industrial uses on 878,959 acres of land, or ap- proximately 81.9% of the County’s total land base. Further, the County proposed to authorize increased residential devel- opment along Northwestern Lake and near the Swift Reservoir. The County also proposed to allow a wide range of uses “outright”—that is, with no formal review for compli- ance with zoning standards, no review for compatibility with the surrounding area, and no opportunity for meaningful public participation. The uses proposed Skamania County’s proposed zoning amendments would have authorized extensive to be allowed outright include natural energy development and industrial activity on nearly 82% of the land in the gas systems; the storage of explosives, county, including these forests as viewed from Silver Star Mountain. Photo: Angie Moore fuels, and chemicals; extraction of gravel 9 Development Upcoming Party for EarthShare SW Washington Members

of Oregon and Friends riends of the Columbia Gorge Jane Harris, Development Director, [email protected] is a long-standing member of EarthShare of Oregon. riends is hosting a party on Wednesday, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting hosted by FEarthShare is to environmental May 20 for our southwest Washington Jacob Williams winery in Lyle, and a new groups what the United Way is members and supporters and we’re presentation about the Gorge. Flooking forward to a great event. Invitations have been sent to all our to social service organizations: a workplace fundraising program to The charming Camas eatery, “Around members and supporters in southwest generate awareness and member the Table,” is co-sponsoring the event with Washington. For more details, call support, without the hassle of grant us, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. We’ll enjoy 503-241-3762 x102. writing, direct mail campaigns, or elaborate special events. The popular Camas restaurant, Around the Table, will be the site of Friends’ If your company participates May 20 gathering in SW Washington. Photo: Courtesy of Around the Table in an EarthShare workplace giving campaign, you can designate Friends for your annual gift. If your company doesn’t currently have an EarthShare of Oregon campaign, learn more at www.earthshare-oregon.org.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge would like to thank Whole Foods Market of Tanasbourne and Patagonia for providing generous donations for our 2009 volunteer recognition party. We appreciate your support!

Congressman Wu Honored

n March, more than 200 members and supporters gathered for Friends’ Annual Meeting at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson. Featured speaker John Soennichsen, author of Bretz’s Flood, related the story of the maverick geologist Harlan Bretz, whose radical theoryI about the origins of the Columbia Gorge waited decades to be accepted by the scientific community. At the meeting, Friends honored Congressman David Wu of Portland with our first Nancy Russell Courage Award, in recognition of his tenacious opposition to the Gorge casino. He fondly remembered Nancy as both a determined and savvy Gorge advocate. In his remarks, Congressman Wu recounted one of his many meetings with Nancy on Gorge issues. Rather than sitting in an office discussing facts and figures, Nancy prepared Congressman David Wu (l) received Friends’ an “old school” picnic at a beautiful viewpoint above the river. They enjoyed lunch and Nancy Russell Courage Award from Conservation light conversation, and policy talk barely came up. As she had done so often for more than Director Michael Lang at the Annual Meeting. two decades, Nancy let the beauty of the Gorge make its own powerful case that day. Photo: Ken Denis 10 Special Gifts January 22 – April 23, 2009

in memory of Barbara Darke Dr. George J. Darke in memory of Aunt Gail Darby Sherri Irish and Larry Keister In memory of Don Gonthier Marika Gault John Marczewski Herman Zimmerman In memory of Elizabeth Handler King Gretas Eder Marilyn Jackson Gloria Ladum Rosemary and Richard Pennell Marilyn and James Stark Jane Stolle Marcia Yeater In memory of Nancy Russell Carol Herman Sherri Irish and Larry Keister Peter Johnson William and Helen Neighbor Featured Hike: Norma Reich Aubrey Russell and Peyton Chapman Indian Point Carol and Dick Shoemaker In honor of Nathan Baker and Gorton Jeremy Emmi In honor of Anne Hutchinson Patricia Hutchinson Creek Trail Photo: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Oliver Dalton Collection In honor of C. William Savery Strenuous: 8 miles, 2720-ft. elevation gain Michelle Watts

pen meadows filled with photo above, Friends does not recommend wildflowers, breathtaking views, scrambling to the peak.) Oand rugged rock formations are all For an overnight outing, camping is part of this wonderful mid-Gorge trail just available at the Herman Creek trailhead. east of Cascade Locks. For opportunities to explore this area The trail from the Herman Creek on June 6 and 7, check our spring hiking Campground (Trail No. 406) passes through brochure or see the schedule online at one of the largest stands of old-growth forest www.gorgefriends.org/hikes. in the Columbia Gorge. After 1.4 miles, the Herman Creek trail intersects on the left Directions: From Portland, take I-84 east to with Gorton Creek Trail (No. 408). Gorton Exit 44 Cascade Locks, and continue east Creek Trail leads up to the panoramic views through Cascade Locks on Cascade Locks at Indian Point. Highway (Hwy 30). Stay on Hwy 30 as it As you hike, you’ll catch occasional curves to the right and passes under I-84. glimpses of Mount St. Helens to the north. At the stop sign, turn left on the frontage Just past the junction with Ridge Cut-off road toward Oxbow Fish Hatchery. Continue Trail at 2.6 miles, another unmarked trail past Oxbow and look for the Herman Creek comes in on the left. This unmaintained trail Campground on your right. The trailhead is in leads down to Indian Point. (Contrary to our the campground. NW Forest Pass required. 11 Photo: Diana Karabut Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID Ridgefield, WA Permit No. 94 Friends of the Columbia Gorge P.O. Box 40820 Portland, Oregon 97240-0820

Know Your Gorge Ice Age Floods Back in the Spotlight

orge lovers got even more out of the 2009 Omnibus The floods occurred 12,000 to 18,000 years ago, racing Public Lands Management Act than 26,000 acres of new through the Gorge at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour. wilderness. The legislation also created a 600-mile Ice High water would have topped , where the Vista GAge Floods Trail and is funding up to $12 million to interpret the House sits today. By tearing away the sloping hillsides of the cataclysmic floods that carved out much of the geography of the Columbia and leaving tributaries literally hanging, the floods Columbia Gorge. Funding will support signage and interpretation gave this landscape its unique, stunning beauty. along major thoroughfares and will also support interpretive Friends of the Columbia Gorge hosts hikes in the spring centers such as the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, which and fall with experts from the Ice Age Floods Institute currently hosts an Ice Age Floods exhibit. interpreting the Ice Age Floods. Watch for our fall hiking schedule in the August newsletter for details.

The rippled landscape caused by massive floods below the area that is now Friends’ Dancing Rock property helps tell the story of the Ice Age Floods. Photo: Kevin Gorman