Hiked here with our three kids, 12, 10, and 6, as I wanted a wildflower hike with views for Mother’s Day and this one checked every single box! Flowers are at peak now, we saw so many. Some of my favorite were camas, wild iris, what I think is bitterroot (beautiful pink-red flowers), and phlox in different colors. My kids loved all the lupine and balsam root (past peak but still plentiful). There is abundant bitter brush as well. We’re not experts and still learning the names but there is a stellar trip report from a few weeks ago that has an impressive, comprehensive list. Lots of birds too!
We took the Westberg trail up, and it is steep and exposed the whole way, almost no shade. The summit has a beautiful memorial to someone named Shell (with a few trailside painted rocks leading up to it), a small notebook for names and notes, and a geocache we think? From the summit we just returned via Westberg, but next time I would love to return via the Boy Scout trail for a loop.
This trail is a real GEM for families hiking with small kids, who know very well that each mile of exposed, steep, hot trail actually feels like three. This one is different because there are views and flowers right from the beginning so you can enjoy all of that the whole way up! It is very steep though so descending is precarious, with all the dirt and loose rocks, and two of us slipped. But bring plenty of water and snacks, go slow, and you’re good. Another highlight for my kids - we saw a rattlesnake on our way back down, about 100 feet from the trailhead. No picture sadly, because it slithered into the bushes quickly and we know better than to chase wildlife for a selfie (ack!)! We also saw a solar halo on the way down, I think it’s called a “sun dog”?
Trailhead parking had about 8-9 cars when we arrived at 9:30am and a few more when we left at 1:30ish.
P.S.: we had a late lunch at The Red Pickle in town, before driving back to the west side, highly recommend for the food and service!
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