Hardy Ridge Loop Trail

Hardy Ridge runs north-south perpendicular to the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam just west of Hamilton Mountain on the Washington side of the river. This April 7 hike seemed more like a July hike than an early spring hike, with brilliant blue skies and the temperature at 85 degrees. A range of wildflowers have bloomed in profusion--western trillium, wood violets, salmonberry, Oregon anemone, desert parsley, candy flower, and, higher up, many, many yellow glacier lilies. The hot east wind barreling down the gorge was so blustery on the ridge top that, a couple of times, quick sideways footwork was needed to avoid being blown down.