At some point this winter I came across a brochure of wildflowers for the Wenatchee area and it had me all excited thinking about the return of spring! These flowers aren’t limited to the foothills surrounding the Central Washington town, you can find them along U.S. Route 2, as well as the Columbia River Gorge. I have even seen them in the Ancient Lakes area near Quincy, Washington.
The brochure is put together by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust:
The Land Trust works cooperatively with local landowners and communities to identify and protect the lands and waters we cherish for the benefit
of present and future generations. Founded in 1985, the Land Trust is a local non-profit organization supported by over 650 members and 250
active volunteers.
Known for its unique shrub-steppe habitat, the Wenatchee Foothills are:
…one of limited water, hot summers, cold winters and gusty winds. Most of the precipitation comes during the winter as snow that saturates the ground when it melts, making it easier for plants to break their winter dormancy and for seeds to germinate. Spring is the best time for wildflower viewing, as most plants grow, flower and set seed before the heat and dryness of summer begin.
You can download a digital copy but they also offer a more extensive online field guide on local flora and fauna through the seasons.
Common Flowers Of The Wenatchee Foothills
You might have heard of some of the trails within this area, these are ones I have hiked myself:
You can find out more about all their trails here.
Some other hikes you might encounter these spring flowers on:
Columbia Hills State Park-Horsethief Butte
March is one of my favorite months to visit this side of the state, I hope to go in the second half and again in late April. Here are just a few pictures of the blooms in the brochure that I have seen on my hikes and I look forward to discovering them anew this year:
These trillium are found just a little higher up in elevation at nearby Mission Ridge on the Clara and Marion Lakes Trail.
You will also find glacier lilies along the trail.
Some bonus flowers I have spotted that are not shown in the brochure. I am still trying to find them identified online so if you know their names, please share!
The brochure also gives examples of noxious weeds and invasive species and talks about avoiding spreading their seeds but I always wonder if I am supposed to pull them up when I see them and carry them out. What do you think?
Happy spring wildflower hunting!
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