John B. Yeon State Park

Area	Columbia Gorge (west - OR) (Mount Hood National Forest)
Best time to visit	Early April through May
Blooming Now	YES
Elevation	125-540 feet
Trail Info	1.4 miles round-trip and 200 foot elevation gain to Elowah Falls 2.0 miles round-trip and 400 foot elevation gain to Upper McCord Creek Falls
	PLANT LIST AVAILABLE
	WILDFLOWER SEARCH
	ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
	Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Dogs	Allowed

NOTE: The blue marker indicates the trailhead.

Description

John B. Yeon State Park contains two terrific waterfalls: Elowah Falls and Upper McCord Creek Falls. It is also a wonderful place to see a fine variety of spring wildflowers, including several uncommon species such as White Shooting Star (Dodecatheon dentatum), Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola), Cliff Penstemon (Penstemon rupicola), and three endemics... Columbia Kittentails (Synthyris missurica ssp. stellata), Columbia Gorge Fleabane (Erigon oreganus), and Howell's Daisy (Erigeron howellii).

NOTE: In order to maximize your wildflower viewing experience, I HIGHLY encourage you to make the extra climb to Upper McCord Creek Falls. The trail is well-graded, and there are many species which can only be seen blooming on the cliffs at the higher portion of the trail.

Directions

From Portland, take Interstate 84 east to Exit 35 (Dodson). Turn left at the stop sign, then immediately turn right onto the frontage Road. Drive east on the frontage road 2.1 miles and turn right into the trailhead parking lot, which is just before the frontage road re-enters the freeway.

If you are approaching from the east, take Exit 37 (Warrendale). Drive west on Warrendale Road for 0.25 mile to a stop sign. Turn left, pass under the freeway and turn left again onto Frontage Road. Drive 0.25 east to the trailhead parking lot.

CAVEAT: Do not leave valuables in your car!

Trip Reports

Date	Submitted by
Reports from previous years
05/21/2016	Greg Lief
04/24/2016	Greg Lief
03/26/2016	Greg Lief
05/25/2015	Jeff Barker
03/21/2015	Deryl Yunck
05/16/2009	Angie Moore
05/20/2008	Angie Moore
04/29/2007	Don Jacobson

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Photo Gallery

Elowah Falls, John B. Yeon State Park

Upper McCord Creek Falls, John B. Yeon State Park

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'With the coming of spring, I am calm again.' -- Gustav Mahler