We made reservations to camp at Big Pines CG in Yakima Canyon for 4 nights before knowing the extreme heat that would be in the area at that time! Seeing the blooming Mountain Lady Slippers at Brooks Memorial SP near Goldendale was our reason for doing this as the park is only 72 miles from the CG compared to 207 miles from our home! We decided that seeing the lady slippers would be worth the heat so decided to camp for at least 2 nights. After arriving at the park, we parked at the TH parking lot which is across HWY 97 from the Brooks Memorial SP campground. We walked only 2 1/4 miles. There is a small sign which says TRAIL near the parking area. This takes you to a large sign which names some of the trails in the area. There were very poor maps available outside of the ranger station which you pass on your way to the TH. The lady slippers were seen on the Brooks Nature Trail after the Old Growth Grove and on the Lady Slipper Loop Trail. We saw several lady slippers, lupine, one tiger lily and balsamroot past its prime. The lupine was very pretty along the floor of the Oregon white oaks and Ponderosa pine forest. The mid to upper 90's temp was tolerable because most of the trail was in the woods and there was a light breeze! I am adding a link to our report of last year as it describes the area in more detail!
Trip Report
Brooks Memorial State Park — Tuesday, Jun. 1, 2021
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Trail in good conditionRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
No bugsSnow
Snow free
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