Hiking Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point
Imagine a hillside completely coated with a vibrant display of yellow and purple flowers. A river flows below you as you hike through the flowers to view one of the tallest mountains in the US. Bunnies and deer make their way past you in the crisp morning air. Now visit Hood River and Rowena Plateau in the Spring. You don’t have to imagine it!
When I moved to the West Coast, one of the things I was most looking forward to was the wildflowers. It always amazes me how something so delicate and unique can grow in the wild, and Oregon is one of the best states for wildflowers. Furthermore, Rowena Plateau and Rowena Crest Viewpoint are some of the best places in Oregon to see wildflowers!
Rowena Plateau is located between Hood River and The Dalles. In spring this place blossoms into a beautiful super bloom that will impress even the least outdoorsy person. There are several trails here that weave through the flowers including the Rowena Plateau Trail, Tom McCall Point Trail, and several more.
Below I have broken down these two popular trails, as well as how to get to one of the Gorge’s most famous overlooks- Rowena Crest Viewpoint.
How to Get to the Rowena Plateau
Getting to Rowena Plateau from Portland
To get to the Rowena Plateau and Rowena Crest Viewpoint from Portland, you will head straight East on I-84, through the Columbia River Gorge. Pass Hood River and take the exit at Mosier to continue on US-30, also known as the Historic Columbia River Highway. You will wind up the plateau for about 6 miles to the Rowena Plateau Trail and Rowena Crest Viewpoint.
The whole drive should take around 1 hour 30 minutes, making it the perfect day trip from Portland!
Getting to Rowena Plateau from Bend
Getting to the Rowena Crest Viewpoint and Rowena Plateau from Bend is a slightly longer drive but still doable in a day or for a weekend trip. Start by driving North on US-97 and US-197, before heading West on I-84 near The Dalles. You will then exit near Mayer State Park and take US-30 in from the East.
This 143-mile drive will likely take you 2 hours 45 minutes.
Getting to Rowena Plateau from Hood River
If you live or are staying in Hood River, it is a short drive to the Rowena Crest Viewpoint and Rowena Plateau. It is only a 20 to 30-minute drive along I-84 and US-30.
This makes it a perfect place to hike near Hood River if you are visiting the area. There are several trails in this area with great views of the gorge, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams.
Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Your first stop on the Rowena Plateau should be the Rowena Crest Viewpoint. The Rowena Crest Viewpoint is near Mayer State Park and the Tom McCall Nature Preserve. Come here in the morning to watch the sunrise over the Columbia River Gorge.
There is parking right along the curved overlook when you first arrive. If you are staying longer for a hike, you can drive down and park off the road, closer to the trailheads near the Historic Columbia River Highway, US-30.
Rowena Crest Wildflowers
The best time to visit Rowena Plateau and the entire Columbia River Gorge is undoubtedly Spring. Spring is when the wildflowers along the Gorge bloom in a beautiful display of purple and yellow. Starting in May, they do not hang around long so see them while they last!
Balsamroot is the bright yellow flower that is common in this area, so common it is also called the Oregon Sunflower. The other main flower found here is Lupine, the vibrant purple flower in the photo above. These two flowers bloom at the same time and blanket the Rowena Plateau and surrounding plains in a stunning display of yellow and purple.
To check if the wildflowers are peak or near peak bloom, you can use several sites to track which wildflowers are blooming. Wildflowersearch.org will tell you current and average blooms for any time of the year. Oregonwildflowers.org compiles reports from visitors and hikers on the current wildflowers’ status.
Rowena Plateau Hike
- Length: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 278 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Views: 4/5
- Popularity: Very popular during wildflower season, light to moderate rest of year
- Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
The Rowena Plateau Trail is a great hike for all ages in the Columbia River Gorge, near the town of Mosier. The Rowena Plateau Trail starts near the Rowena Crest Viewpoint but is on the opposite side of US-30. Part of the Tom McCall Preserve, this trail blossoms in wildflower season, making it one of the best hikes to see wildflowers.
This is a mostly flat trail that goes along the plateau and ridge with amazing overlooks. While the distance is listed as 2 miles, several crisscrossing trails allow you to extend or shorten your hike.
This trail is very exposed which means it can get windy and hot in the summer. Bring proper wind or sun protection and lots of water!
Tom McCall Hike
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,309 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Views: 5/5
- Popularity: Very popular during wildflower season, light to moderate rest of year
- Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
The Tom McCall Point Trail is one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, and slightly more challenging than Rowena Plateau. From sweeping overlooks of the gorge, a super bloom of wildflowers, and views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams, this hike has everything you could want in a trail.
The trail starts near the Rowena Crest Overlook in Mayer State Park. It has a fairly gentle but consistent uphill slope, starting at 705 feet of elevation. Right away you will be walking through a field of wildflowers if visiting in Spring. After about 0.6 miles, you will come to a bend in the trail. This spot also has a great overlook over the cliff.
Continue on, and the path curves back before following the ridge of the plateau for a while. 1.2 miles into the hike there will be a few switchbacks and you will be walking along the hillside. This was my favorite part of the hike. The wildflowers were endless and the views stretched for miles!
During this part of the hike, Mount Hood will start to be visible on and off until you reach McCall Point at 1.8 miles. This is a great spot to take in the view and stop for a break with your hiking snacks. After McCall Point, the trail dips down slightly before ascending again along the cliff for another 0.6 miles. If you are looking for a shorter hike, you can cut this portion of the trail off for a 3.6-mile hike.
Tips for Visiting Rowena Plateau
- Research the dangers of the area before visiting. Rattlesnakes are common in this area, so know rattlesnake safety and be prepared! Ticks also can be found here, so wear long pants and socks and/or check yourself after your hike. Poison Oak is also present, so know what it looks like and how to avoid it.
- As always, Leave No Trace! Pack out what you pack in, stay on the trail, and don’t damage or pick the wildflowers.
- Dogs and bikes are not allowed in the nature preserve.
- Parking is free for both of these trails and the viewpoint.
Other Hikes Nearby with Wildflowers
Of course, the two hikes mentioned above are not all the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Below are several other hikes in the area, all with wildflowers in the Spring and worth a hike if you have more time.
- Mosier Plateau Trail– 2.7 miles, 728 feet, Moderate– Mosier Plateau Trail begins in Mosier and has a waterfall.
- Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail– 5.0 miles, 1,220 feet, Moderate– Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, this trail is slightly longer and has amazing views of the Gorge.
- Memaloose Hills Trail– 2.8 miles, 600 feet, Moderate– This trail has a small loop, views of Mount Hood, and wildflowers in Spring.
- Coyote Wall Loop Trail– 6.8 miles, 1624 feet, Moderate– While the wildflowers make this trail a real treat in the Spring, it is great to visit any time of year. There are several intersecting paths so you can choose your length, but watch out for the mountain bikers that share this trail.
- Catherine Creek– 1.9 miles, 383 feet, Easy– This trail combines with the Tracy Hill Trail for an easy loop, views of wildflowers, Mount Hood, and a waterfall.
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