The time to seek out one of nature's most beautiful displays is here — spring wildflower season is at or near peak bloom in many parts of the Columbia River Gorge.

Why it matters: This ephemeral explosion of color doesn't last long.

Zoom in: I ventured about 90 minutes out to the McCall Point Trail, on the east end of the Gorge, to see the wildflowers for myself.

• Yellow blooms of balsamroot popped up along the side of the road before I even got to the trailhead at the popular Rowena Crest overlook, and by the time I took the first steps it was already clear that I was in for a show.
• The meadows and hillsides were absolutely carpeted in color — yellow balsamroot, purple broad-leaf lupine and the piercing red of Indian paintbrush.

• The trail winds through small copses of scraggly pines — with each switchback offering better views of the Columbia below — before climbing to the point itself, where views of Mt. Hood, the Gorge and Mt. Adams unfold.

The roughly 3.5-mile trek climbs about 1,000 feet and took me about an hour and 45 minutes. Worth every step.

Yes, but: Be prepared for gusty winds and keep your eye out for ticks, rattlesnakes and poison oak.

• Also please stick to the trails and leave no trace. I was saddened to see several people trampling through the flowers for selfies. Be better than them!

Zoom out: McCall Point is just one of many trails that offer spring blooms in the Gorge.

• Dog Mountain, on the Washington side of the river, is one of the most popular — and most strenuous — at 6 miles with more than 2,800 feet of elevation gain.
• Those looking for an easier jaunt can try out the Memaloose Hills Trail or the Mosier Plateau Trail, both of which clock in at less than 3 miles.
• If you want to be sure you're going to get your money's worth, check out this handy bloom tracker, which tells you when and where the best blooms are blossoming.

Have you been out to see the wildflowers this year? Send us your pics or simply hit reply.

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Two games, two blown leads and two losses to the Spurs over the weekend have the Blazers on the precipice.

Why it matters: Portland will play to keep their season alive tomorrow in San Antonio after a pair of late-game letdowns.

Catch up quick: The Blazers blew a golden opportunity on Friday with a 15-point lead in the third quarter and superstar Victor Wembanyama on the sidelines with a concussion.

• But the Spurs' guards proved too much for Portland over the final minutes, beating Rip City 120-108

Yesterday's game felt like déjà vu — only with Wembanyama back on the court — after San Antonio looked overmatched, heading to halftime down 17.

• The Spurs would go on to outscore the Blazers 73-35 in the second half to win by 21.

What we're watching: Portland will look to stave off elimination tomorrow night at 6:30pm with coverage on ESPN.

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🍎 Nearly 47,000 Oregonians lost their monthly food benefits since the federal government imposed stricter requirements as part of President Trump's tax and spending bill that passed last year. (The Oregonian)

🎣 Oregon-based Pacific Seafood is facing more than $3 million in fines from the Department of Environmental Quality for allegedly discharging fish parts, oil and chlorine into two rivers since 2017.

• The company said the state's standards were unreasonable and it can appeal the fines within 20 days of when they were issued. (OPB)

💰 The cost to attend one of Oregon's seven public universities will rise again this fall as higher education institutions hike tuition for the 12th consecutive year. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

👀 The Oregon Zoo is seeking volunteers for its Cascade Pika Watch program to track populations of the "potato-sized members of the rabbit family, known for their squeak-toy alarm calls" in the mountains and the Gorge. (KOIN)

Portland's worst stretch of road — according to our reader poll earlier this month — is set to get a fresh coat of pavement in May, according to the Bureau of Transportation.

Northwest 23rd Avenue, between Lovejoy and Vaughn, has been riddled with potholes, cracked pavement, deep wheel ruts and crumbling sidewalks for years.

• The new project, which PBOT called a "short-term fix," will grind down and repave the top layer of asphalt along the corridor and add new curb ramps at the Northwest Marshall and Lovejoy intersections.
• The aim is to stabilize the street until a longer-term overhaul tied to the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension "can address the street's structural issues and broader streetscape needs."

What we're watching: While it's welcome news to anyone who regularly drives down Northwest 23rd, it comes as the City Council appears poised to approve a new monthly transportation utility fee for residents and business owners.

• If the proposal passes the council Wednesday, single-family homeowners can expect to pay $144 annually — and $732 yearly for commercial buildings — to fund PBOT's $6 billion backlog of maintenance and safety projects.

The bottom line: A smoother ride is coming, but at a cost.