Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Gorge Summerfest 2025
2025-07-26 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cascade Locks Marine Park, 355 Wa Na Pa St., Cascade Locks, OR, 97014, United States
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is throwing our annual summer celebration, and you’re invited! Set along the banks of the Columbia River at the scenic Cascade Locks Marine Park, this free, family-friendly event is open to the public and packed with fun ways to enjoy a summer afternoon in the Gorge.
Expect live music and dancing from two incredible local acts: genre-spanning pop-rock artist Matt Chaffee kicks things off, followed by a headlining set from acclaimed Americana/folk duo Tony Furtado and Stephanie Schneiderman.
Wander through a pop-up market featuring Indigenous artists, grab a bite from one of several delicious food trucks (frybread tacos, Thai, grilled sausages, ice cream, and more!), and explore conservation booths from local environmental groups. There’s something for everyone: lawn games, face painting, a bouncy house (wind permitting), a 50/50 raffle, and more.
Located in the heart of Cascade Locks, Oregon, the Marine Park offers riverside views, paved paths, and access to Thunder Island. It’s the perfect backdrop for a summer celebration of community and conservation.
Don’t miss your chance to connect with Friends of the Columbia Gorge and hundreds of other conservation-minded people from across the region to celebrate everything that makes this place so special.
Admission is free, and donations are optional, but if you’d like to make a donation as part of your free event registration, you may do so here.
Tap here to register.
Can’t wait to see you there!

Stewardship Saturday at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a dirt path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.
Register HERE.

First Saturday Stewardship at Sams Walker
2025-07-05 09:00 - 13:00
Join us for stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker! As we prepare for future plantings, the focus this spring will be to continue targeting patches of invasive plants from oak understory habitats that are smothering native shrubs and wildflowers! As we hike to the project area we’ll tour the oak and pollinator meadow restoration efforts from the past five years, talk about successes and challenges and look for the first wildflowers of the season!
Learn more about the mosaic of habitats at Sams Walker Day Use Area HERE.
Physical description: expect walking off trail on slightly uneven ground, cutting with loppers, pulling. The project site is about a 0.25 mile walk from the parking area on a flat gravel trail.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver– You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with Center for Ecodynamic Restoration and U.S. Forest Service.

Register HERE.

Hike 'n Pull at Dog Mountain
2025-07-02 08:00 - 15:00
Join Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for our second summer “hike and pull” work party to remove invasive weed herb Robert geranium that is sneaking up the trail corridors! Dog Mt. is known for it’s spectacular wildflower meadows and dramatic Gorge views from the top, however the understory of this trail is also quite spectacular and full of biodiversity including orchids. By volunteering with this project you will learn more about the understory ecology and help keep this ecosystem in tact – and enjoy all the views along the way!
What to expect: this trail is rated as “strenuous” and is very steep with up to 2500′ elevation gain. You can expect hike up to 6 miles roundtrip along the dirt trail. Weed removal spots are approximately 3 miles up the trail not too far below the summit so be prepared for the climb. Luckily, the plant has shallow roots that are easy to pull. Work includes walking off trail and moving along sloped and flat terrain, bending, kneeling, pulling.
Site notes: NW Forest Day Passes will provided for parking. There is a USFS vault toilet near the trailhead. Poison oak grows alongside portions of the trail that we will identify and avoid and also chat about tick and rattlesnake safety.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Register HERE.

Hike 'n Pull at Dog Mountain
2025-06-25 08:00 - 15:00
Join Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for an annual “hike and pull” work party to remove invasive weed herb Robert geranium that is sneaking up the trail corridors! Dog Mt. is known for it’s spectacular wildflower meadows and dramatic Gorge views from the top, however the understory of this trail is also quite spectacular and full of biodiversity including orchids. By volunteering with this project you will learn more about the understory ecology and help keep this ecosystem in tact – and enjoy all the views along the way!
What to expect: this trail is rated as “strenuous” and is very steep with up to 2500′ elevation gain. You can expect hike up to 6 miles roundtrip along the dirt trail. Weed removal spots are approximately 3 miles up the trail not too far below the summit so be prepared for the climb. Luckily, the plant has shallow roots that are easy to pull. Work includes walking off trail and moving along sloped and flat terrain, bending, kneeling, pulling.
Site notes: NW Forest Day Passes will provided for parking. There is a USFS vault toilet near the trailhead. Poison oak grows alongside portions of the trail that we will identify and avoid and also chat about tick and rattlesnake safety.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Register HERE.

Stewardship Day at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-06-22 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday- but in this case a Sunday!- as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a dirt path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.
Register HERE.

Saturday Stewardship at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2025-06-14 09:00 - 12:00

Hike 'n Pull at Lyle Cherry Orchard
2025-06-13 09:00 - 13:30
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust at this scenic preserve for our second “hike and pull” work party that combines vistas, hiking and stewardship all packed into one awesome morning! We will hike about a mile up the trail to the wildflower meadows and focus on preserving meadow habitat by removing patches of the infamous east Gorge weed, yellow star thistle.
Physical description: expect hiking up to 2 miles roundtrip on a steep rock and dirt trail, ~800 ft elevation gain. Hand pulling includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, bending and pulling. Find out more about the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail HERE.
Site info: This amazing trails also is home to poison oak, ticks and snakes, oh my! We’ll review how to steward safety in the introduction. The closest public restroom is in Lyle at the Klickitat Trail Trailhead and Parking Area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
Thanks to the amazing volunteers and staff at Washington Trail Association for maintaining this trail!
Register HERE

Invasive Houndstongue Removal at Tracy Hill
2025-06-11 09:00 - 13:00
Come spend the morning stewarding on Tracy Hill which overlooks the Catherine Creek Day Use Area. Invasive European houndstongue was recently spotted here and now is the time to remove it before it begins to spread! Tracy Hill is an undeveloped USFS site due north of Catherine Creek Day Use area. Volunteers will learn how to identify both the invasive houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and our native Pacific houndstongue (Adelinia grande).
Learn more about…
Invasive houndstongue
Pacific houndstongue
Physical description: expect walking off trail in grassy fields on mostly flat terrain, digging, bending, kneeling.
Site notes: All sites in central and east Gorge are likely to have ticks and some poison oak that we will ID and avoid.
Directions: For planning purposes, Our access and parking spot is about a 30 min drive from downtown Hood River. Exact meeting spot will be emailed to volunteers a few days before the event.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Register HERE

Hike 'n Pull at Lyle Cherry Orchard
2025-06-06 09:00 - 13:30
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust at this scenic preserve for a “hike and pull” work party that combines vistas, hiking and stewardship all packed into one awesome morning! We will hike about a mile up the trail to the wildflower meadows and focus on preserving meadow habitat by removing patches of the infamous east Gorge weed, yellow star thistle.
Physical description: expect hiking up to 2 miles roundtrip on a steep rock and dirt trail, ~800 ft elevation gain. Hand pulling includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, bending and pulling. Find out more about the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail HERE.
Site info: This amazing trails also is home to poison oak, ticks and snakes, oh my! We’ll review how to steward safety in the introduction. The closest public restroom is in Lyle at the Klickitat Trail Trailhead and Parking Area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
Thanks to the amazing volunteers and staff at Washington Trail Association for maintaining this trail!
Register HERE

Wildflower Festival Stewardship Day at Coyote Wall
2025-05-23 08:00 - 12:00
Do you enjoy hiking or biking along the trails of Coyote Wall during wildflower season? If so please consider joining Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for a morning of stewardship where you’ll learn more about the incredible wildflower ecology of Coyote Wall and the east Gorge and what you can do to protect these habitats. We will hike up Little Maui Trail and as we learn about native wildflowers we will also learn to identify and spend time removing two invasive plant species that threaten wildflower diversity here, yellow star thistle and European houndstongue.
Register here.
Physical description: expect hiking on rock and dirt trails up to 4 miles and ~800 ft elevation gain. Weed removal includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, pulling, bending, kneeling.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area. There is poison oak along these trails that we will identify and avoid as well as ticks.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Third Saturday Stewardship at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Register here.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a packed gravel path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.

Late Afternoon Nature Walk at Sandy River Delta (Easy)
2025-05-10 16:00 - 19:00
Difficulty level: Easy: 2.2 mile loop | 600-ft elev. Gain
Join wildlife biologist Bill Weiler for a relaxing late afternoon outing at the Sandy River Delta, where we’ll explore the unique ecology of this wetland area.
Register here.

Spring Bike Ride on the Klickitat Trail
2025-05-10 10:00 - 14:00
Bike Ride Difficulty level: Easy 8 miles | ~220 feet- elevation gain.
Join Friends Hike Leader/ Klickitat Trail Conservancy president Ken Hansen on a 8-mile mostly downhill bike ride from the Pitt trailhead to the Lyle trailhead, a portion of the “Rails to Trails” route.
Register here.

Invasive Plant Removal at Balfour-Klickitat Day Use Area, WA
2025-05-09 09:00 - 13:00
Come spend the morning along this scenic trail overlooking the Klickitat River. We will continue to focus on spring habitat maintenance with a variety of projects including monitoring and removing various invasive weeds such as European houndstongue, yellow star thistle, non-native annual grasses and blackberry. We’ll also take time to hike the short trail loop and talk about past and future stewardship in this area.
Register here.
Physical description: expect walking off trail in grassy fields on mostly flat terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a paved path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area. All sites in central and east Gorge are likely to have ticks.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Sams Walker Interpretive Walk plus optional Beacon Rock Hike (Easy)
2025-05-05 10:00 - 12:00
Difficulty level: Easy: 2.2 mile loop | 600-ft elev. Gain
Join Friends hike leader and master naturalist Sharon Ross, co-leader Sandy Haigh, director of the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, and hike shepherd Rebecca Erickson.
Register here.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Annual Meeting 2025
2025-05-04 11:30 - 14:00 | Skamania Lodge, 1131 SW Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, WA, 98648, United States
Join us Sunday, May 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 pm. at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington, to celebrate how your support makes Friends’ mission possible.
This gathering is open to members, donors, and the public.
What to Expect:
🌱Insights from our leadership team on the future of Gorge conservation and how you make an impact
🌳A deep dive into the critical role of advocacy in today’s shifting political landscape
🌲Introduction of our new Land Trust Director, Ryan Ruggiero
🌿A Pacific Northwest-inspired lunch
🍃Optional post-event tour of Skamania Lodge grounds, led by our conservation team—ask questions, swap stories, and connect with fellow supporters!

First Saturday Stewardship at Sams Walker Day Use Area, WA
2025-05-03 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker! As we prepare for future plantings, the focus this spring will be to continue targeting patches of invasive plants from oak understory habitats that are smothering native shrubs and wildflowers! As we hike to the project area we’ll tour the oak and pollinator meadow restoration efforts from the past five years, talk about successes and challenges and look for the first wildflowers of the season!
Register here.
Learn more about the mosaic of habitats at Sams Walker Day Use Area here.
Physical description: expect walking off trail on slightly uneven ground, cutting with loppers, pulling. The project site is about a 0.25 mile walk from the parking area on a flat gravel trail.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with Center for Ecodynamic Restoration and U.S. Forest Service.

Wildflower Hike at Catherine Creek with AdvenChairs
2025-04-12 09:00 - 13:00
April is the perfect time to visit Catherine Creek with many wildflowers in bloom. Friends is thrilled to make this beloved springtime destination more accessible, thanks to our partnership with Geoff Babb, the creator of AdvenChair. To ensure accessibility, we will have two all-terrain adventure wheelchairs (AdvenChairs) available at no cost. Whether you need an AdvenChair for support or simply prefer a relaxed, slower-paced hike, these outings are perfect for enjoying nature at your own pace. This hike is open to all, you don’t need an AdvenChair to participate.

Tranquility Wildflower Walk at Catherine Creek
2025-04-06 12:00 - 15:00
April is the perfect time to visit Catherine Creek with many wildflowers in bloom. Join Emily Martin, Mindfulness Teacher and Forest Bathing Guide, for a mindful nature walk. Emily will lead the group through a series of mindful practices, including simple meditations and sensory exercises designed to enhance our connection to this beautiful place we call home. Slowing down and being present in nature has tremendous health benefits. During our walk, there will be time for introspection as well as time to connect with each other. The group will be walking along the upper loop section of the Catherine Creek trail leaving from the North side of Highway 8. The trail is a loop which is a little over two miles long and includes 200-300 feet of elevation gain. Kids are welcome to attend.

Capturing Double Exposure Photography at Starvation Creek
2025-03-29 09:30 - 11:30
Join Friends’ Digital Content Producer and photographer, Monique, for a photography walk from Starvation Creek to Warren Bridge. This scenic walk covers 0.7 miles each way along a paved trail, starting from the Starvation Creek parking lot. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a hands-on photography experience, perfect for beginners and those looking to learn a new technique.
Photo: Michael Drewry

Chasing Waterfalls and Wildflowers Hike at Latourell Falls
2025-03-24 00:00
Join Oregon State Park Ranger Miranda “Randi” Mendoza by embracing spring with a wander through the lush forest along Latourell Creek chasing waterfalls and wildflowers. The Gorge is known for its vibrant display of spring-color, and you’ll explore the wildflowers that thrive under the temperate forest canopy of the West Gorge.

Invasive Plant Removal at Sams Walker
2025-03-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Sams Walker Day Use Area, Skamania Landing Rd, Skamania, WA, 98648
Join us this spring for a stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker! The focus this season will be removing invasive plants from oak understory habitats that are smothering native shrubs and wildflowers! As we hike to the project site we’ll learn tour the oak and pollinator meadow restoration efforts from the past five years, talk about successes and challenges and look for the first wildflowers of the season!

Love Your Public Lands Stewardship Day
2025-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Sams Walker Day Use Area, Skamania Landing Rd, Skamania, WA, 98648
Let’s kick off 2025 stewardship season by showing the Gorge some love on Valentine’s Day! We’ll be pouring some love into the native understory by removing blackberry, herb Robert, and ivy that are smothering native shrubs and wildflowers.

Member Hike
2024-10-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Bridal Veil Falls, E Crown Point Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR, 97010, United States
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Hiking in the Gorge with Friends
2024-02-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Friends of the Columbia Gorge, 123 NE 3rd Ave., Suite 108, Portland, OR, 97232, United States
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