Rowena Plateau Loop

Rowena Plateau Loop is a 2.6-mile circuit across an open clifftop plateau, past two Ice Age ponds and two big views into the Columbia Gorge. The loop gains roughly 250 feet; allow about 1½–2 hours if you linger at the overlooks. The gentle grade makes this a good short walk if you want the Gorge’s open country without taking on the longer Tom McCall Point climb.

From the signed preserve entrance, the narrow dirt tread heads west above Rowena Dell and reaches an outward-facing point. Retrace that stretch to the first pond, then take the Shasha Loop branch along northeast-facing cliffs. The Columbia River and Lyle Sandbar open up ahead; a second pond comes before the path returns to the start. The trail is easy by grade, but the tread is only about one to three feet wide and stays close to steep drops. At the northeast edge, leave some cliff in the frame with the river beyond it to show the height.

The kolk ponds are depressions in basalt formed by Ice Age floodwaters. Their damp pockets hold more plants than the dry grassland around them. Balsamroot and other wildflowers are strongest in April and May, when the preserve also gets extremely busy. The plateau is open, has little shade and is often windy.

The preserve opens March 1 through October 31 and closes during the wetter months to protect fragile ground. Dogs and bikes are prohibited, and visitors must stay on marked trails. Park at the Rowena Crest viewpoint loop or the highway pullout by the preserve stile; no permit is required. There are no restrooms at Rowena Crest; Lower Mayer State Park has public facilities. Choose another walk if you need shade, room to walk two abreast or a dog-friendly route.