Hi everyone! I will be in OR and WA in mid to late July (dates are flexible, but looking at 7/13-7/25) and would like some input on flower displays throughout the states. I don't have any set locations in mind, but I'm partial to flowers with beautiful mtns in the background. I also love the waterfalls of the Gorge and wouldn't mind a waterfall background/flower foreground. So...I'm pretty open to any location! I've been there in April and October, but not in summer.
Also, would the Palouse area be good that time of year? I've been there in early June, but not any other time. Thanks for your help!
Hi Amy,
Mid to late July is a good time for wildflowers in Oregon. Earlier in the month the flowers in the gorge should be blooming for your waterfall/flower interest. July 25th is what I consider prime time on Mt. Hood's west side. That should be a great time to go to McNeil Point (about 7 mile rt hike) and get flowers with Mt. Hood in the background. Between the two dates, areas lower on Mt. Hood should be good as well. I'm not as familiar with the timing of Washington's blooming cycle, but I think Rainier is a bit later (August 5-10 range).
You might want to get Greg Vaughn's books, one on photographing Oregon and one on Washington. It provides some good insight into places, perspectives, times of day, and dates of bloom.
I'll let others answer the question on the Palouse mid-summer.
Hi, Amy! IMHO, any time in the Palouse is just great; the wheat should be golden by then and there are also fields of canola (bright yellow), lima beans (chartreuse), peas, etc. Be sure to check out Steptoe Butte at sunrise and sunset; google "Palouse" for lots of info! The lower elevations of Mt. Rainier are good that time of year. Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park would be good too I think. The Mima Mounds in the Tenino area is a tall grass prairie environment that is interesting as well.
Another vote for Greg Vaughn's books. Hope you have a wonderful time in the great PNW!!
Thanks, Catherine and Marylynne for mentioning my books!
Amy - to add to the good advice from Catherine and Marylynnne:
While July is usually too early for the Paradise Meadows area of Mt. Rainier National Park, flowers in the Sunrise area on the east side of the park usually are out a week or two earlier, so late July might work well there. Around Tipsoo Lake might be good, too.
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park should be great for wildflowers mid- to late July and the views of the Bailey Range mountains are spectacular.
Many places in the mid-elevation Cascades, both in Oregon and Washington, will have nice wildflower displays then, as well. Like the McNeil area that Marylynne mentions for Mt. Hood, the Top Spur Trail from Lolo Pass is very good. In the central Oregon Cascades, Cone Peak/Iron Mountain and Canyon Creek Meadows should be very good in mid-July. In northwest Washington, Sauk Mountain Trail is a favorite for wildflower lovers, with a bonus of panoramic views of surrounding Cascade peaks.
Mid-summer in the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous. You won't regret visiting at that time.
Thanks for the great suggestions! I have both of Greg's books (love them) and will be using them to plan. Maybe I'll run into a few folks on the trails. I'd love to meet new faces!
Email me when you get to the area. I may be around and eager for a mid-week hike (I teach and have the month off, so I often long for company when friends and family are at work).
Posted by Amy Lindsey on June 25, 2014 at 12:04 AM
Marylynne- I'll take you up on that and thanks for the offer!
Discussion
7 repliesAlso, would the Palouse area be good that time of year? I've been there in early June, but not any other time. Thanks for your help!
Mid to late July is a good time for wildflowers in Oregon. Earlier in the month the flowers in the gorge should be blooming for your waterfall/flower interest. July 25th is what I consider prime time on Mt. Hood's west side. That should be a great time to go to McNeil Point (about 7 mile rt hike) and get flowers with Mt. Hood in the background. Between the two dates, areas lower on Mt. Hood should be good as well. I'm not as familiar with the timing of Washington's blooming cycle, but I think Rainier is a bit later (August 5-10 range).
You might want to get Greg Vaughn's books, one on photographing Oregon and one on Washington. It provides some good insight into places, perspectives, times of day, and dates of bloom.
I'll let others answer the question on the Palouse mid-summer.
Another vote for Greg Vaughn's books. Hope you have a wonderful time in the great PNW!!
Amy - to add to the good advice from Catherine and Marylynnne:
While July is usually too early for the Paradise Meadows area of Mt. Rainier National Park, flowers in the Sunrise area on the east side of the park usually are out a week or two earlier, so late July might work well there. Around Tipsoo Lake might be good, too.
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park should be great for wildflowers mid- to late July and the views of the Bailey Range mountains are spectacular.
Many places in the mid-elevation Cascades, both in Oregon and Washington, will have nice wildflower displays then, as well. Like the McNeil area that Marylynne mentions for Mt. Hood, the Top Spur Trail from Lolo Pass is very good. In the central Oregon Cascades, Cone Peak/Iron Mountain and Canyon Creek Meadows should be very good in mid-July. In northwest Washington, Sauk Mountain Trail is a favorite for wildflower lovers, with a bonus of panoramic views of surrounding Cascade peaks.
Mid-summer in the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous. You won't regret visiting at that time.