Pacific Rhododendrons - a Wild Garden by Mount Hood

The Mount Hood area is famous for it's spring bloom Pacific Rhododendrons

Rhododendron macrophyllum.  Their lovely pink blossoms are so similar to the
cultivated types of Rhododendrons that you might feel you are in a garden when
you see them.  They are the state flower of Washington state, but can be found
in coastal and mountainous areas from British Columbia to Northern California.
Learn more about them here.

Driving along the road from Hood River to Lost Lake you can see walls of pink Pacific Rhododendrons in
bloom.  There are many curves along the road, so you have to drive slow.  This gives plenty of time to
see their blooming beauty.