Cashmere Canyons Preserve — Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2024

I thought maybe I'd waited too long to head to the east side and do my annual balsamroot and lupine hike, but I took a chance on this fairly new and new-to-me trail. I made a good choice! I was the first car in the lot at 6:20am, and there were half a dozen when I finished at the bottom a few hours later. 

Easy to get to - nice parking lot (with a restroom) right off the paved road. The lot isn't huge though so I can imagine it getting full on a busy weekend. Well maintained trail - I wish the trails on the "wet side" of the crest were this seemingly easy to maintain. Well signed - maps and arrows at each junction as well as warning signs in places where you might get off trail. It's a little bit of a climb, but all the trails have a nice steady grade. Of course the bottom section has zero shade so plan for sun exposure. 

Lots of wildlife - dozens of deer from the open lower slopes up into the forested area at the top. They were all pretty shy. Tons of birds - places like this always make me want to learn to ID more songbirds. I didn't experience too many bugs (at least not the biting kind), but I did start early in the morning. Also, no ticks, but my pants and socks were covered in permethrin just in case. 

Much of the balsamroot is gone in the bottom section - either eaten or burned up in the sun. The bottom section is also the only place I saw much lupine. I know it starts later than the balsamroot. The higher elevation forested section is a different story. Tons of my favorite golden flower up around Sunrise and Little Bear. Both make lovely spots to stop and rest with great views of the valley and even towards the Enchantments.