Fields of electric blue
Batchelor’s Buttons covered the hillsides as we hiked up the switchbacks to the top of the plateau. The blue-purple shades are electric, like a Van Gogh painting.
Some like Western Yarrows seemed to cluster in different colors, in this case yellow or white.
![Bachelor's buttons](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323438-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-03.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Switchbacks above Mosier Falls](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323490-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-07.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![A field of blue bachelor's buttons.](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323409-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-01.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Getting the angle!](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323446-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-04.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Western Yarrow](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323424-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-02.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Western Yarrow](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323476-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-06.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
Wildflowers Beyond the Gorge
Valley floor
Lower down in the Willammette Valley, the rhododendrons are exploding in a wide variety of colors. Mountain Bluet (which I have heard called “pineapple plant” locally, or at least by my mother-in-law) shows up on trails and yards everywhere. We recently planted a dogwood in our backyard, which had the most beautiful blossoms last week. This photo is from my in-law’s place, where I’ve shot many other beautiful native species.
![Pink Rhododendron with honeybee](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323501-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-08.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Mountain Bluet](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323524-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-10.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Dogwood blossoms](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685323533-columbia-gorge-wildflowers-11.jpg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Nootka Lupine on Gresham Butte, with Mt. Hood in view. Lupines are everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, and have many varieties in a range of colors.](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685555719-nootka-lupine-with-mt-hood-gresham-butte.jpeg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Wild iris, Powell Butte park, Gresham Oregon](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685555733-wild-iris-powell-butte-park.jpeg?w=1400&auto=compress)
![Mt. Rainier from Tolmie Peak Trail, WA](https://www.datocms-assets.com/10166/1685463069-mt-rainier-from-tolmie-peak-trail.jpeg?w=1400&auto=compress)
Mt. Rainier from Tolmie Peak Trail, WA, July 2017. It was a bit late to see bear-grass, but still a striking scene.
A different kind of hike
I’ve wanted to do more outings specifically to tour the incredible wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest. It gives us a reason to go to places we haven’t seen yet, and changes the nature and tempo of our hikes: stopping and examining things along the way is the point. Looking closer at the things all around us is good for you.