We hiked the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail on the east side of the Columbia River Gorge. They added a large loop to the trail making this a 6.5 mile hike with 1,363 ft of overall gain. We only saw 7 other hikers on our way down.
The trail goes up through oak trees and meadows up to the cherry orchard up on the cliffs.
View of the Columbia River looking east, part way the trail
It was lovely to see so many wildflowers early in the season.
Another view of the Columbia River a bit further up the trail
Lots of cucumber in bloom,
Further up the trail we walked through fields of balsamroot
There was lots of balsamroot in bloom.
Near the top of the hill, we had this beautiful view of the Columbia River to the west with a rainbow.
In the cherry orchard, there were many wildflowers growing in the grass.
View at the east end of the Orchard Loop
view at the west end of the Orchard Loop
This section of the trail was lined with miner's lettuce.
On our way down, we look the longer section of the new Lyle Loop, the trail went through more meadows of balsamroot and view of the Columbia River, along with
open meadows filled with wildflowers, and
more trees, where we saw some deer.
The trail then traversed along the side of the hill high above the Columbia River,
where we saw more balsamroot in bloom.
Viewpoint near the end of the Lyle Loop, before rejoining the main trail.
Back in the meadow filled with death camas as we hike out.some of the wildflowers we saw along the trail today:
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