We drove out to Cashmere to hike the Cashmere Canyon Trails, we did all the trails today for 12 miles and an overall gain of 2,600 ft. The wildflowers and views in these hills were lovely today.We saw no other hikers on the first half of our hike, then 12 others along the Spring Canyon Loop and as we were headed back down the Nahahum Trail.
There were lots of parsley and lupine along the hillside going up the Nahahum Trail.
We heard lots of birds singing and saw a couple of hawks soaring along these trails. We also saw many deer on the slopes, mostly below the Ridge Road Trail, which is up on this ridge.
View along the Ridge Road trail to the southwest, we first headed north towards the Lower Loop Trail.
Views along the Ridge Road Trail, to the southeast,
to the south,
and to the east.
I don't think many hikers go out to the Lower Loop Trail, a large portion of this trail was carpeted with parsley. We were very careful where stepped.
Although we saw many arrowleaf balsamroot plants past bloom, there were plenty still in bloom. Here some are blooming along with Oregon grape.
Back on the Ridge Road Trail, we saw 3 deer below.
Heading back to the Crossroads, Sunrise and Little Bear to the left.
View to the west along the Ridge Road Trail.
More blooming balsamroot along the Spring Canyon Loop as we head up to Sunrise. We startled a grouse hidden near the trail, which flew up into the trees.
View towards the Enchantment Peaks from the junction of the spur trail up to Sunrise and the Spring Canyon Loop Trail.
View towards the Enchantment Peaks from the top of Sunrise to the southwest.
View from the top of Sunrise to the east.
more balsamroot along the trail
We found bitterroot in bloom in 3 different places along the Spring Canyon Loop.
View from the top of Little Bear towards the Enchantment Peaks to the southwest.
Squirrel in the branches
Most of the Spring Canyon Loop Trail is in the pine forest.
View to the east from the other side of the Spring Canyon Loop.
Along with wildflowers are bugs: a small yellow spider,
a large beetle,
and we saw many butterflies, this was the only one that was still long enough for me to try to get a photo. It was large and beautiful!
some of the wildflowers we saw alongside the trail today:
We drove out to Cashmere in Central Washington to hike the trails in Cashmere Canyons Preserve, 12 miles with 2,000+ ft of overall gain. There was lots of yellow parsley and balsamroot in bloom throughout the trail.
Lupine along the trail heading up into the hills.
We saw a couple of snakes along the trail, happily they were not rattlers.
Lupine, balsamroot and parsley
Up on the ridge, we headed north to the Ridge Road and Lower Loop, lots of wildflowers.
We took a lunch break along the spur trail up to Sunrise Peak, great view spot.
We saw several paragliders soaring above us today.
We continued on the Spring Canyon Loop up to Little Bear.
In the afternoon, we appreciated the shade the trees provided along parts of the Spring Canyon Loop.
More balsamroot as we completed the loop.
