Early-season wildflowers and sweeping Gorge views define this Memaloose Hills loop — a quiet spring hike with oak woodlands, breezy hilltops, and fewer crowds before peak bloom arrives.

trailhead: Memaloose Overlook
distance: 3 miles
elevation gain:  570 ft.
difficulty: easy
best season: March-May
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 20 minutes
parking pass: none
hike description: OregonHikers.org – Memaloose Hills Loop Hike

Note that ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes are common in this area, especially in the spring.

screen grab of the route in Gaia GPS

My first time hiking this trail happened after I missed the exit for a planned hike at Coyote Wall on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. Instead, I headed to Mosier to see if there was parking at the Memaloose Overlook trailhead, which can be difficult when wildflowers are at peak and trails are crowded. This was early in the season, though, so finding parking was much easier.

After taking in the views at the overlook, we crossed the road and started on the Memaloose Hills Trail. In early spring, small purple grass widows were scattered throughout the area, along with patches of western buttercup and a few Columbia desert parsley.

At the first trail junction, we turned right toward Chatfield Hill. This section winds through a wooded area of oaks before beginning the gradual climb.

While much of the hike was sheltered from the Gorge’s typical wind, it was very gusty at the top of Chatfield Hill — but the views are worth it. Private property is fenced off here, so be sure to stay on the public side.

After soaking in the views, we headed down the backside of Chatfield Hill, with wide-open vistas of the surrounding countryside and Mount Hood.

Just past a small pond and wetland area, the trail runs alongside private property and a large fenced field where we spotted plenty of prairie dogs scampering about.

We turned right at an unsigned junction and began the climb up Marsh Hill, where we saw an early balsamroot starting to bloom.

At the top, a rocky garden area was filled with grass widows and Columbia desert parsley. From here, the trail traverses the hilltop before reconnecting with the main trail.

I love the sculptural shapes of downed branches along this stretch — they add a lot of character to the landscape.

Since Memaloose Hills is one of the premier wildflower destinations in the Gorge, I’m hoping to return midweek between mid-April and early May, when balsamroot and other wildflowers cover the hillsides in bright color.