Trip Report

Perfect weather, many kinds of wildflowers, expansive views, and an enjoyable group of hardy hikers made for a great hike up to Browder Ridge. Twelve of us left Springfield at 8 am under cloudy skies and reached the Gate Creek Trailhead about 10 am under sparkling blue skies. The initial mile of switchbacks was challenging but we paced ourselves and paused along the way to enjoy the white-petaled three sisters, bunchberry (four petals), windflower (five petals), and queens cup (six petals). We also found candystick and spotted coralroot. We ascended a meadow of bracken fern, tall bluebells, wild ginger, and coneflower, and emerged onto a rocky outcrop with a great view of the snow-covered Three Sisters. The trail then crossed a mostly level wooded ridge amid a profusion of bear grass blooms that framed more views of the mountains. Turning onto the unmarked summit trail, we stepped over or around a few dwindling patches of snow surrounded by fresh, white trillium blooms and emerging leaves of bright green corn lily. We traversed steep meadows below the cliffs that included larkspur, monkeyflower, serviceberry shrubs, and a few patches of bright red paintbrush. Emerging from the woods again, our group was undaunted by the view of the rocky ridge scramble that loomed before us. We picked our way up through the rocks, forced our way around some grabby-branched pines, and arrived at a broad, open summit that was covered with fuzzy cat’s ear, lavender phlox, purple littleflower penstemon, and gold wallflower. The views from Diamond Peak to Mt. Hood were excellent, and the combination of warm sun and cool breeze made for a delightful half hour of lunch and conversation. Although someone wanted to stay forever, we finally started down, negotiated the rocky descent with comparative ease, and enjoyed the wildflowers and views again on the long downhill trek. We returned to Springfield about 6:30 pm. Thanks to everyone for a great trip!