Swale Canyon is an under-the-radar wildflower hike outside the Columbia Gorge
By Jamie Hale, oregonlive.com
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The Klickitat Trail runs through Swale Canyon, with yellow desert parsley flowers blooming along Swale Creek in early spring.
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When we usually think about wildflower hikes, our minds wander to the sweeping landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge, where yellow balsamroot and purple lupines bloom on hills overlooking the mighty Columbia.
As crowds continue to flood outdoor recreation areas around the Pacific Northwest, these renowned wildflower hikes have become overcrowded to the point of inaccessibility on sunny spring weekends.
Those in search of a quieter experience would do well to drive through the Columbia Gorge, crossing the river into Washington and heading up into the hills just beyond. Here, a sparser landscape brims with wildflower blooms that are no less beautiful than the crowded spots by the river.