Steamboat Rock gets jump on wildflowers

HIKING — While wildflowers are just getting brave enough to emerge, the Columbia Basin, as usual has a jump on the much of the region.

Here’s a report from John Echelbarger, who hiked Sunday at Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake.

“There was a nice variety of wildflowers and some that have not bloomed here yet.

“Buttercups, Grass Widows, Yellow Bells I have seen around spokane.

“Shooting Stars, Violets, and Blue Bells I saw for the first time this year. More sun over there. Perfect weather and quite a beautiful hike.”