Pipestone Canyon Rim Trail — Sunday, May. 25, 2014

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth

Memorial Day weekend is always one of my favorite weekends, but this year it got even better when my boyfriend and I hiked the Pipestone Canyon Rim Trail. Although the trailhead is kind of hard to find (we didn't see any signage at the intersection of Lester Rd and Campbell Rd, just a grassy area where people were parking), it was well worth the initial uncertainty about whether or not we were in the right spot. We started the hike about 50 yards up Lester Rd from where we parked. There, a single-track mountain biking trail branched off to the right of the main road. We were doing the nine-mile loop (up the rim and back through the canyon), and what a loop it turned out to be. We were treated to gorgeous views from rock lookouts, lots of wildflowers (lupine and balsamroot), a couple of startlingly green oases, and an enchanted forest at the bottom of the canyon. There was tons of wildlife too—a golden eagle, a Western tanager, and a coyote, among others. The one thing we didn't see was a snake. All in all, this was a really interesting hike that kept us entertained for hours. There was always something new to see and enjoy. We'd definitely recommend it to others! Considerations: - Hikers are not the only ones who use this trail. Watch out for horseback riders and mountain bikers too. - The only water source we saw on the hike was towards the beginning of the loop, where there is a small lake. Especially once it gets warmer out, pack in all the water you might need. - Bring a map with you. The trail branches several times, and it's always helpful to know if you're headed in the right direction.