Cashmere Canyons Preserve — Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

My partner and I enjoyed the Spring Canyon Loop. What a lovely spring hike!

We arrived at the parking lot around 8 a.m. to 9 cars and a half full main lot. The bathroom (standard public lands style) was well kept and clean.

The initial ascent will get your heart rate up, but hikers are rewarded with a boatload of balsamroot upon the ridge proper. Hikers have noted this area's blooms are subpar this year (eat your heart out, Columbia River Gorge wildflower trails), but I found it quite enchanting.

There was a surprising amount of tree coverage and lichen. We spotted many deer, robins and butterflies. Expect around 4-5 really plush lunch spots with shade and stumps to sit on.

We arrived back to a full parking lot at noon. The overflow lot looked about half full and we crossed paths with many hikers on our final descent.

Nirvana in Washington's Central Cascades, truly. Big thanks to the folks who keep this area open and operational.