Fall is a beautiful time to explore south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. I camped with a friend near Trout Lake, hiking both the East Glacier trail into the Indian Heaven Wilderness, and a short trail on the edge of Trout Lake, just out of town.
I also camped at the Deschutes River State Recreational Area and hiked the Fairy Springs trail there. An unexpected find was a trail up to Stacker Butte, on the Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve; a WA Department of Natural Resource site. This, and the Columbia Hills Historical State Park, both just north of the Columbia River at The Dalles, are worth more explorations; albeit when you can avoid the heat of the summer!
A mix of wildflowers in their fall colors, a Vireo visible in (leafless) shrubs near Fairy Springs, and mushrooms we encountered along the East Glacier hike.
Below are images from the hike up East Glacier trail, along Trout Lake, and the Deschutes River. The Oak tree is one of many on the grounds outside the Discovery Center in The Dalles. This area burned in a wildfire earlier in the summer and much of the vegetation was seriously damaged. The building itself (a beautiful museum) was saved through huge local efforts.
Along Trout Lake
Fall Colors
An Oak at the Discovery Center
Lake along the East Glacier trail
Deschutes River
