Columbia Hills State Park locations

[ksproul]

I'm probably going to be heading to Columbia Hills State Park (Washington state) for the first time this weekend. I've seen numerous beautiful shots from this area, especially from this time of year, with the wildflowers, rolling hills, and Mount Hood in the background. From what I've read, it sounds like there are good shots available all along Dalles Mountain Road, but does anyone have any specific tips with regard to locations or anything else? I'm open to locations easily accessible by car as well as hiking. A friend and I are most likely heading there for sunrise on Saturday morning. Thanks!

[ksproul]

Here's a quick follow-up from my weekend trip, with a photo:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1182327

[bps]

Looks you had a great trip! (And produced an amazing photograph.)

Bryan

[ksproul]

Originally Posted by bps

Looks you had a great trip! (And produced an amazing photograph.)

Bryan

Thanks! As with many first trips for me, this felt more like a scouting trip than a real photography trip. I knew where the park was, but really didn't have any time to check it out in the daylight before heading right in to shoot. I did manage to get there in time for sunset on Friday night, and I stumbled upon a photo workshop happening right near the old ranch. I decided to walk down to where they were, and it was one of the flew places in the whole area that was somewhat shielded from the wind (more of a breeze at that point, I suppose). However, I didn't come away with any shots from that evening that I liked very much.

The next morning, I headed in for sunrise, but I still hadn't had a chance to explore the park in the daylight yet at that point, so I still felt like I was going in a bit blind. I looked for some other areas that might work, and I found some nice fields full of flowers, but the wind was just killing any chance of it working for me. So I ended up heading back to the same area where I did sunset the night before, and that's where the shot in the other thread came from. I'm really happy that I came away with one shot I like. I also had a chance to explore some more after sunrise that day (Saturday), so I feel like I'll be better prepared for my next trip there (although it probably won't be until this same time next year).