Today the fog and rain are thick in the Columbia River Gorge, so I thought I would revisit a much loved summer place, only open about 3 months a year. Accessible from Trout Lake, Washington, this portion of the Mount Adams Wilderness was returned to the Yakama Nation in 1972 as part of the Handshake treaty. Referred to as Tract D, this portion of the reservation is still open to the public for camping, hiking and fishing. Tract D includes Bird Creek Meadows, Bench Lake, Mirror Lake, Bird Lake. These 3 lakes each have campgroundsalong the shores, and a 4th lake, Bluff Lake, is accessible by trail from Bird Lake. Tribal rangers stay onsite during the short season and often speak to groups of boy scouts or other groups about tribal history and the location.
The featured image above is Bluff Lake, while the images below are Bench Lake and Bird Creek Meadows with Mount Adams
Published by Starlisa Black Photography
My mother taught me to love the world around me… and if I can help others to see with new eyes by showing that beauty through photography. I have accomplished my hearts goal . Husum, WA is my childhood home and I consider home to be anywhere from Mount Adams to the Columbia River. I give thanks to my parents for their love for Nature and God.
Starlisa.smugmug.com
My work can be found online in full on Flickr, and while I am not set up to sell on that site, if you find a print of any size or style you wish to inquire about simply email me and I can send you a price list of prints by themselves or framed or mounted on foam core, gallery wraps, and standouts. I also license my photos for use in magazines, travel brochures and for web site use, and have been published several times. During the summer I am often at Saturday Market in Trout Lake or Hood River with my Note Cards and Prints
You can also find me on Google as Darlisa Black,
and on Facebook as Starlisa Black Photography
www.flickr.com/photos/starlisa
Starlisa.Black@gmail.com
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Starlisa Black Photography 
Many years ago, a man as a means of repaying me for kindness, took me to Bench for a surreal fly fishing experience. It was so good, my family on later visits renamed it Dusty L. to keep it secret (you no doubt no why dusty given the descent into those lakes). Many great memories there! Adams looming over the top. Thanks for sharing.
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Wonderful memories! There are some giant trout in there, they stock it every year and some winter over. Yes, Dusty fits it well!
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I was just writing a page about the Yakama and their beloved Pahto. Searched your site for an appropriate photo. Looks like you have been pondering some of the same thoughts.
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yes Laurene I often daydream of this area. Here is a huge set of photos over the last 7 years from the Bird Creek Meadows area if you would like to look! http://www.flickr.com/photos/starlisa/sets/72157624483482068
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