This spring has found me staying pretty close to home in an effort to not only train for a bike ride at the end of April but to save money for two trips this summer. I plan to get out for some wildflower wandering in Wenatchee later this month but mostly I am sustaining myself on memories of hikes from the last few years.
Last March, I had a nice 7 mile stroll on the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail, Cherry Loop Trail, Lyle Loop Trail and the old road that goes to Lyle Peak practically in solitude and as far as I know, not one tick brought back to the car!
I stayed nearby the trailhead by sleeping in my car and got up with the sun brightening the Gorge, arriving at the empty trailhead about 7:30am. It was quite chilly so I had layered up but warmed up enough to delayer a bit at the first and second ledge areas. I opted for gaiters and plenty of picardin ‘cuz I know that it is tick time and for some reason my preoccupation with the buggers has increased in the last few years.
I first headed up towards the Cherry Loop Trail which was in good shape, any previous mud was frozen (or dried out a bit). I spotted a couple with dogs coming up below me on the switchbacks but I didn’t see them again after that.
There were a few early spring flowers that were starting to wane and the balsamroot was just getting started. I have only hiked this trail in the fall/winter and except for a few areas with grass it still felt pre-spring. Each time I hike this trail I spy something new, like weathered fencing intersecting the orchard.
The views from the Cherry Loop were stunning and breezy as usual. I didn’t spy any falcons on the wind, just some noisy crows swooping and diving. I may have sat and knit a little bit for Knit The Rainbow while enjoying the views.
As I finished the backside of the loop, I decided to turn right on the old road, GAIA said it would take me up to the high point of Lyle Peak. It was obvious this is where the equestrian riders hang out by the hoof prints etched in previous days’ mud.
I wandered through a shady ponderosa forest dotted with poison ivy in the understory before the road switched up to the power lines. I was worried that was where I would have to go but I could quickly see the road kept to the left and didn’t run under them. Yay!
The road on the ridge was nice and wide (hopefully less ticks) and undulated enough to keep the heart rate up. There were open views out across the oak stands and the Columbia River below. The oak here is taller and wider than the stands down below (or at least it seemed).
I reached the “summit” at around 10:40am at 1416ft and 4.4 miles into my saunter. Not terribly exciting as it was treed in but the sun felt good as did the lack of crowds.
I had the debate about returning back the way I had come or attempting to connect with the Lyle Loop Trail that appeared to be just below the ridge as I studied GAIA. When I approached an area where a route might be, all I saw was a faint game trail. Those deer usually do know where to go so I carefully followed it being aware of vegetation and praying I wasn’t picking up any ticks because I was off trail. It wasn’t long before I dropped down onto where the trail hugged the contour in a swale.
The Lyle Loop Trail was pretty but I don’t think I will do again. For the most part it is a narrow (18″ max) ledge cut into the slope with rare places to step off for passing or sitting, I am so glad I only had to pass one group and it was in a swale with a slightly less dramatic angle.
The scariest part was coming out onto the grassy slopes facing the Gorge where the wind blows in earnest. I was super thankful that gusts where blowing me INTO the backslope but as I was leaning slightly that direction, my fear was that a random gust in the opposite direction would knock me off balance and down the hill. I was so glad to make it through that without anyone coming the opposite direction! I would never do this trail in poor weather or with any kind of ice, snow or mud. NOPE.
You can see it curving around the slope best in this photo, yikes!
Aside from the one group I passed, I didn’t see others until it was time to head back down to the car around 11:30, this is clearly the time when the crowds head up as the parking lot was full when I got back to the car.
And as for ticks, I changed out of my clothes and stuffed them and my pack and shoes into a white trash compactor bag. Luckily there were no pesky hitchhikers when I got home.
If you are looking for a quick place to park overnight near the trailhead, the Lyle rest stop just west on SR 14 was amazing. Not only do you have bathroom access and a gorgeous sunrise view, there is a fun path that loops around the bluff to get those hiking legs warmed up!
If you want a bed to stay in nearby, I like The Society Hotel in Bingen. It has both hostel-like beds and suites. The bonus is they also have a spa!
I have more information about the Lyle Cherry Orchard here and other hikes in the area at Southwest Washington and Columbia River Gorge.
Thank you so much for stopping by Must Hike Must Eat!
If you need some healthy eating inspiration start here:..
Need some eating out suggestions when friends want to stop after a hike? I have a Pacific Northwest Eating Guide here.
Find out what’s been happening outside the blog:
If you have a question you don’t want to post in the comments, you can ask them here:
Discover more from Must Hike Must Eat
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Looking forward to a new post soon!
For you Carol, I will try and get one out this weekend. 🙂