Easton Ridge

We drove to Easton to hike the Easton Ridge Trail, 6.4 miles round trip with 2,250 ft of overall gain. We only saw 2 other hikers on the trail today.

Near the beginning of the trail we saw lots of glacier lilies in bloom and then more scattered throughout the ascent up the ridge.

There were also quite a few trillium in bloom and

some calypso orchids.

Silver Creek had lots of water flowing,

Waterfall on Silver Creek at the bridge crossing.

The trail climbs in the forest 1,700 ft in the first 1.7 miles. Here we had a view of Kachess Lake through the trees.

There were a few blow downs that we had to crawl under, over and around. There were also many snow patches to cross once we were up on the ridge.

View looking down to Lake Easton to the southwest

View Mount Baldy and Demerit Peak to the northeast on the other side of the ridge

It was cold enough for icicles.

The further we went along the ridge, the larger the snow patches. Near the end of the trail, we had a view of Mount Stuart and other Enchantment Peaks in the distance and Cle Elum Lake down below.

zooming in of the mountain peaks

zoom of Mount Stuart 

Looking back towards Lake Easton and far peaks at Snoqualmie Pass

Large snowfield heading up the last of the trail, with

the trail clear of snow for the final bit at the rocks. 

View down to Cle Elum Lake and,

another zoom towards the peaks.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today:

  

 

 

 

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Backcountry

I drove to the Ginkgo Petried Forest State Park Backcountry trailhead along Recreation Drive in Vantage WA to hike one of the trail options. I went 9.3 miles round trip with 1,430 ft of overall elevation gain. There were a nice assortment of wildflowers in bloom. I didn't see any one else on the trail this morning, except a small marmot near the trailhead that was too fast for photos.

Near the beginning of the trail, there were wildflowers in bloom. lots of daisies and fleabane.

There were some arrowhead balsamroot (and Hooker's balsamroot) in bloom, but it seems to be near the end of their blooming season here.

Some wildflowers were blooming in the middle of the closed dirt road (which is the backcountry trail).

Lots of desert yellow daisies in bloom, 

The Columbia River looking southeast from near the start of the trail.

There was also lots of purple sage in bloom.

Penstemon and buckwheat dotting the hillside with color,

along with the daisies.

Balsamroot and a view of the Columbia River to the northeast, further up the trail along with

lupine in bloom.

At about 3.6-3.8 miles, the trail leaves the State Park and enters the L T Murray Wildlife Area. I continue along this dirt road until I found a boot track leading back into the State Park, further down the road.

Back in the State Park, with a lovely view of the Columbia River.

Wide angle view of the Columbia River to the east, near my turn around spot.

Nearby was the tall (about 7 foot) petrified tree trunk, amazing!

Lupine and balsamroot along the dirt road as I hiked back.

Love the colors from the wildflowers dotting the hillside.

The clouds starting getting very dark as I got closer to the trailhead, a great morning!

I think this is a fungus, I only saw this one on the trail.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail this morning: