Alluring Pathway

by Kami McKeon

Title

Alluring Pathway

Artist

Kami McKeon

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Dalles Mountain Ranch has become an annual pilgrimage for many, and mid-April to May is the prime time for the overlap of the balsamroot-lupine bloom that has been highlighted in so many area photographers’ portfolios. Spring is the best time to visit, but there is much more than balsamroot to pleasure the eye: old ranch buildings, sweeping vistas, steep rimrock, creeks and a waterfall, wildlife and many other species of blooms assail the senses. The property was deeded to the State of Washington in 1993 by Darlene and Pat Bleakney and became part of the Columbia Hills State Park in 2003. The ranch property had been split into two parts: This southern section joined the already existent Horsethief Butte State Park (See the Horsethief Butte Hike), which then changed its name. The northern section of the ranch, comprising the treeless hillsides at the crest of the Columbia Hills, became the Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve and is managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (See the Stacker Butte-Oak Spring Hike). Out of several homestead claims, the ranch became consolidated into to its present form under three consecutive owners: the Crawfords (1878-1935), the Reuters (1935-1975), and the Bleakneys (1975-1993). Ranching activities focused first on sheep and then, post World War II, cattle. In 2014, new trailheads and a trail system were opened to the public. An inventory of the early settler presence has been created, buildings are numbered, and interpretive signs detailing the history of the place can be perused along the trails. Before the trail system was established, visitors were encouraged to indulge in “dispersed hiking” over the rolling hills, oak-wooded gullies and rimrock benches. This type of rambling is still permitted for those on foot, but mountain bikers and horses need to stick to the trails.

It should be noted that most of the historical information in this field guide entry comes from Dalles Mountain Ranch: A Museum of Natural and Cultural Heritage of the East Gorge by Darlene Highsmith Bleakney.

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May 21st, 2019

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