Keystone Ridge — Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Since learning about this hike through trip reports a couple years ago, I’ve done the road walk up to the top twice, but today I finally convinced a friend to do a car shuttle with me so we could to the thru hike up from 97. The climb up was steeper and more challenging than expected, but I think we’re still friends.

We basically followed AlpsDayTripper’s CalTopo link, although we parked about a mile further up the road on the Mills Canyon side. Flowers are still blooming on the 97 side. Balsamroot are mostly on the outs, though some remain in full bloom near the top. Most of the other main flower types on the 97 side are still in good shape.

We spotted a few bitterroot blooming on the way up and near the top, but those are really just starting. Some Tweedy’s are blooming on the road walk (and there were even a few in the rocks on the climb up from 97), but there is also much more to come from them.

It was a warm day, and we took advantage of the patches of shade provided by the few trees along the climb up. We were definitely ready for burgers and beverages at the Outpost Saloon in Cashmere after we were done!