Locations Horsethief Butte
| OregonWildflowers Locations Horsethief Butte
|
| Area | Columbia Gorge (east - WA) |
| Best time to visit | Mid-March through mid-April |
| Blooming Now | YES |
| Elevation | 285 feet |
| Trail Info | 1 mile round-trip, minimal elevation gain (not counting the butte!) |
| PLANT LIST AVAILABLE | |
| WILDFLOWER SEARCH | |
| Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide | |
| Hike information - Washington Trails Association | |
| Dogs | Allowed |
| Washington State Discover Pass required! |
The trail begins next to the parking area. After a few feet you will see a short spur trail leading off to the right. This is a good spot for wildflower viewing. The main trail continues toward the butte, which is climbable without special gear if you are so inclined. You can also take the trail to the south (river) side of the butte.
If you decide to climb the butte, beware of poison oak which may appear as woody shrubs along the base of some rockwalls.
A wildflower checklist for this location can be found here.
In addition to the wildflowers, Horsethief Butte features petroglyphs and pictographs left here over centuries. Those can be viewed as part of a guided tour, which are offered at 10:00 am every Friday and Saturday morning between April and October. For more information and to make reservations for the guided tour, call Washington State Parks at 509-767-1159.
Turn right onto Washington SR-14, and drive east approximately 2.7 miles to the Horsethief Butte parking area. The closest facilities are located at Horsethief Lake State Park, which you will have passed en route to the parking area.
| Date | Submitted by |
|---|---|
| Reports from previous years | |
| 03/06/2022 | Greg Lief |
| 01/15/2016 | Greg Lief |
| 04/14/2012 | Byron Will |
| 04/14/2012 | Byron Will |
| 03/25/2007 | Greg Lief |
| 03/11/2007 | Greg Lief |
Switch to historical view of wildflower reports
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'Looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind.' -- Amit Ray