Lyle Cherry Orchard

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,

and death camas.

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:

  

 

  

   

   

 

Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail

After hiking at Columbia Hills State Park this morning, I decided to head about 10 miles west, to hike another trail in the eastern Columbia Gorge, the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail, 5 miles round trip with 1,050 ft of gain. There were so many lupine in bloom, the air was fragrant with their scent, so lovely.

After hiking up 1/4 mile, the signs for this trail were posted.

There was so much poison oak along this trail, I had to be very careful in choosing a spot to step aside and let other hikers pass.

On reaching the bench, the trail opened up out of the woods and went across lovely meadows. Here cucumber in bloom along with many death camus.

More lupins and death camus

Lot of balsam root adding color to the hillside.

Switchbacks through the balsamroot 

balsamroot in abundance

Looking west and down towards the bench and the Columbia River below

Up on the hillside, the trail continued with a more gentle up and down through the cherry orchard, there was abundant buttercup and other wildflowers in bloom here.

Along the eastern side of the loop trail were some tall pine trees.

View to the east from the far end of the loop

Lizard on the trail

Viewpoint near the western end of the loop, I took a lunchbreak here. Although this was a busy trail, I had the loop and this viewpoint all to myself.

Enjoyed the views as I returned back down the trail, looking east along the Columbia River when I was back down on the bench.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today: