Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail

6.5 miles

1,500 ft elevation gain

Moderate

No pass needed

Wildflowers bloom on slope overlooking the Columbia Gorge

Lyle Cherry Orchard has a feeling I’ll never be able to convey with words or pictures. It’s not for lack of trying. I’ve been about five times, each time thinking I’ll take a photo that captures the scale and grandeur of the land. I never do. You need to be there to feel what a tiny little speck you are. Climbing up the hill and looking down at the ant people below is about as close as we’ll get to seeing the world as birds do. This hike is known for wildflowers, but I’d say they have a supporting role, emphasizing the vastness of everything around them. It’s a place of sweeping vistas and countless small details all at once. You’ll have a few hiking options, ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 miles, including the new-ish Discovery Loop Trail. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking at Lyle Cherry Orchard.

Lupines in field — *Lyle Cherry Orchard has excellent spring wildflowers*

Know before you go:

Parking is free in the unlabeled gravel lot by the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead. You don’t need a pass.
The trailhead doesn’t have restrooms or other amenities. There’s a rest area a few miles to the west. Doug’s Beach State Park has vault toilets about a mile east.
The Lyle Cherry Orchard hike has two connecting loops. If you do one of them, the total distance will be 4-5 miles, or you can do both for a 6.5-mile hike.
Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. The trails have a lot of poison oak along them. Check for ticks after your hike.
Watch your step. I had a memorable jump scare with a rattlesnake on this trail once.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the Lyle Cherry Orchard trails.
The hike is near drop-offs that are easy to avoid. Younger kids might struggle with the uphill walking, but older kids would be fine.
Wildflowers bloom as early as February through June, peaking around the end of April. Please stay on the trail and don’t pick the flowers.

Wildflower field and basalt cliffs — *Lupines peak around early May*

On the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail

Distance: 6.5 miles with two connected loops

Elevation gain: Up to 1,500 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass required: None

Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.

ADA access: No

Season: Any

The details

From the parking lot, look for a narrow dirt trail in the tree cover. It’s unlabeled other than a post with rules on it. This is the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead.

Lyle Cherry orchard trailhead — *Start here*

The first quarter mile is mostly about getting up the switchbacks to better things ahead, but you’ll start seeing some wildflowers. Lupines, yarrow, and ookow were blooming on my early May hike.

Purple wildflowers next to hiking trail — *Ookow along the trail*

After a short distance, you’ll reach two large signs. One has a great detailed trail map. The other is the carved wood sign for the Cherry Orchard Trail. Ignore the 2 miles that it advertises. It’s longer. The warnings about poison oak and rattlesnakes are accurate. Use the boot brush to clean your shoes and take the trail to the right. To the left is the old convict road, an abandoned early 20th-century project to build a road through the Columbia Gorge using convict labor. It’s not a bad side trip if you have energy after the Lyle Cherry Orchard hike. You’ll follow a ridge along the Columbia River. It’s narrow, unmaintained, and next to steep drop-offs, so I’d skip it with kids.

Wood sign for the Cherry Orchard Trail — *Head to the right at the sign*

Back to the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail. You’ll walk up more switchbacks over rock scree. One of these is where I saw the rattlesnake.

trail through rock scree — *Watch for snakes*

Clearings in the oak canopy reveal a cool basalt spire. You’re heading that way. You’ll also pass the first of the trail’s interpretive signs about the area’s ecology and history.

Basalt spire on Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail — *First cool rock formation*

Once you get up the first hill and onto the basalt bench, the views become incredible. The trail levels off, temporarily, at a broad field where wildflowers bloom in spring. Winds off the Columbia River create ripples of silver in the new spring grass. Look for desert parsley, death camas, cluster lilies, and coastal manroot earlier in the season. Yarrow and lupines appear later.

Lupines in field with rugged rock formations behind — *Lupines along the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail*

Once you’re past the tree cover, you’ll have panoramic views of the Columbia Gorge. The rock that forms the rugged cliffs and spires is basalt from lava flows millions of years ago. Across the river, you’ll see the cliffs of Oregon slanting diagonally. This area is part of the Yakima Fold Belt, where tectonic plates push Oregon toward a more stable Washington, compressing the rock. One of the trail’s interpretative signs is about geology. Glacial floods up to 1,000 feet deep scoured this area around 15,000 years ago, helping to shape the cliffs.

Basalt bench next to Columbia River — *Basalt bench at Lyle Cherry Orchard*

As you walk past the basalt bench, you’ll see a couple of faint trails branching off to the left. You can walk a little way along them to explore the cliffs. The rocky ledges make great places for snack breaks. Otherwise, keep right and start heading uphill.

Hiking trail past sign heading toward hillside with cliffs — *Signs along the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail describe its history*

You’ll reach a fork in the trail with a sign pointing you to the right. The top of the sign has a map. The trail to the left is the return of the Discovery Loop. Head right toward the Cherry Loop and Discovery Loop.

The trail makes switchbacks up toward the site of the old cherry orchard. You’ll have big views of the Columbia Gorge, making the climb go by faster than you’d expect. This hillside has Lyle Cherry Orchard’s one social media-famous sight, a slope of balsamroot. I’ve never been spot-on with the timing. The last few days of March are too early. The first few days of May are too late. I’m thinking mid to late April would be perfect if you want to capture the balsamroot specifically. Whenever you go, the views are unbeatable. For other wildflowers, the bloom season is generous. They can appear as early as February and last into June.

Trail with Columbia Gorge view — *View from the top of the hill*

Shortly after the trail levels off, you’ll reach a fork. It’s a decision point. The signpost has a trail map. To the right is the Cherry Loop. To the left is the Discovery Loop. You can:

Turn around here for a shorter hike, a little under 3 miles.
Hike the Cherry Loop and head back, about 5 miles.
Finish the Discovery Loop and head back, about 4.5 miles.
Do both, starting with the Cherry Loop, about 6.5 miles.

If you’re trying to decide between the loops, I’d steer you toward the Discovery Loop, which has more viewpoints and a couple of mountain sightings. It’s all pretty, though. You can’t go wrong even if you turn around here. My favorite views are from the climb up the hill.

Fork in trail with signs — *The Cherry Loop and Discovery Loop split*

Cherry Loop

If you do both loops, start with the Cherry Loop so you don’t have to retrace your steps. It’s a lollipop loop. In 0.7 miles, you’ll reach a 1-mile loop at the end. The trail winds through the site of the old Lyle Cherry Orchard. The trees are no longer cherries but Oregon white oak. There’s one cherry tree left somewhere that I’ve never spotted. In late spring, lupines, buttercups, and biscuitroot bloom under the oaks.

Lupines next to hiking trail — *Cherry Loop*

When you reach the loop at the end, keep left to do it clockwise. This part of the trail is one-way. A sign helps with directions.

Fork in trail with sign — *Go left here*

You’ll reach an unlabeled fork along the loop. Keep right. The highlight of the Cherry Loop is the broad clearing at the far end where lupines bloom in spring.

From the viewpoint, you’ll see the Columbia River and the grasslands of the eastern Columbia Gorge.

Wildflower field with Columbia River view — *Viewpoint on the Cherry Loop*

Most of the Cherry Loop is forested, but a short spur leads to another viewpoint, this time overlooking the Columbia Gorge to the south and west. A sign asks you to be quiet to avoid disturbing nesting falcons. The viewpoint is a favorite of birdwatchers. Chances are you’ll see people with their binoculars trained on the raptors and turkey vultures overhead.

Field with wildflowers leads to viewpoint — *Birdwatching spur*

When you finish the Cherry Loop, you’ll be back at the junction with the Discovery Loop. Head left to return to the parking lot or right to see the Discovery Loop.

Discovery Loop

The beginning of the Discovery Loop looks a lot like the Cherry Loop. It winds through an Oregon white oak forest where wildflowers bloom in the undergrowth. This trail is one of the newer ones in the Columbia Gorge, completed in 2021.

Lizard on trail — *Fence lizard on the Discovery Loop*

The Discovery Loop takes you to several viewpoints. The first is about a half mile from the junction with the Cherry Loop. Wildflowers cover a clearing that overlooks the Columbia Gorge to the west.

Trail with lupines heading toward Columbia Gorge viewpoint — *First viewpoint*

Across the river, you’ll see Mt Hood’s summit sticking up above Oregon’s hills on clear days. As you round the corner, you’ll also get a glimpse of Mount Adams.

Mount Hood above forested hills — *Mount Hood*

From here, the Lyle Cherry Orchard’s Discovery Loop weaves in and out of the oak forest with frequent views of the Columbia River. It has some gentle ups and downs but nothing like the steep climb at the start of the hike.

Lupines bloom on hill in front of the Columbia River — *The Discovery Loop has great views of the Columbia Gorge*

On the far side of the loop, you’ll see the town of Lyle, Washington, at the bottom of the hill. A sign on the hillside labels the town in large white block letters in case there’s any doubt. This part of the loop has wonderful slopes of balsamroot and lupines. It’s not a social media star yet, but I’m guessing it will be soon. If you want to get it going next year, don’t forget me when you’re famous.

Small town next to Columbia River — *Lyle, Washington*

At the end of the loop, the trail winds back around to the south side of the hill.

Field with lupines with basalt cliffs in background — *End of the Discovery Loop*

When you reach the trail junction with the sign, you’re at the end of the Discovery Loop. Keep right to finish the Lyle Cherry Orchard hike and return to the parking lot.

Basalt cliffs along Columbia River — *Return journey to the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead*

Getting there

To reach the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead from Portland, take I-84 East and cross into Washington at the Hood River Bridge. The bridge toll is $3.50 each way. Continue on Highway 14 East for 13 miles until you reach the unmarked gravel parking lot on your left. Parking is limited, but I’ve always found a spot even during popular times.

If you hate crossing the Hood River Bridge as much as I do (so narrow!), you can drive to The Dalles and cross at the much better Dalles Bridge for free. It adds about 10 minutes to the drive.

Enjoy your hike at Lyle Cherry Orchard!

With love,

Emma

Explore nearby

Lupines by Columbia River — Find the **best wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge**.

The Dalles Bridge — Check out the **best things to do in The Dalles**.

Maryhill Washington — Take a day trip to **Maryhill, Washington**.