Horse Lake Reserve - hillsides of wildflowers

WTA trip reports from previous years indicate lots of wildflowers on north facing slopes (see included links, including video). Upper elevations of the Horse Lake Reserve are said to meander through wildflowers patches and big fir trees, and have great views of the Cascade mountains. There may be views of the lower portions of the Horse Lake and buildings from the original homestead ranches and, weather dependent, views of Glacier Peak. Our route is reported to provide sweeping views up and down the Wenatchee River Valley from the river confluence to the Enchantments.

In 2020 & 2021, the first week of May is peak time for wildflowers that carpet these hillsides. BUT in 2020 & 2021, there wasn’t still snow on the hillsides in mid-April like there is, right now. For 2022, I’m going to guess that wildflowers will be a couple weeks delayed. CAVEAT: If trip reports indicate that wildflowers are beginning to fade by the scheduled date of this trip, it may be rescheduled to an earlier date.

Based on May 2022 trip reports regarding the location and abundance of wildflowers, I’m proposing a one-way route. This route requires a car shuttle but it’s only a 5 mile roundtrip shuttle. The stats for this route are similar to the originally proposed routes (~9.5 mi, ~1600’ gain) with the added bonus of 2/3 of the route being primarily downhill 😃. For the shuttle, we will all meet at the Horse Lake TH, as noted on the Meetup announcement. Then, 2 vehicles with 2 drivers will drive 2.4 miles to the Balsamroot TH, leave 1 vehicle there and return to the rest of the group waiting at the Horse Lake TH. Easy Peasy 😘!
GPS route - https://www.gaiagps.com/public/rbQDJBprgVWIdY6GAetSRsE7
▫ (You can download this route to your own GPS device using this link to access the GPX file.)

Video from 4/30/2021 trip report - https://youtu.be/8psXvZ74wm0
WTA trip report, 5/4/2022 - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2022-05-05-8435551108https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2022-05-05-8435551108
WTA trip report, 4/30/21 - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2021-05-01-1176000878

https://www.cdlandtrust.org/trails-access/trails/wenatchee-foothills-trails/horse-lake-trails

• ~9 miles, ~1500’ gain, highest elevation ~2800’-2900’
• Difficulty – moderate, but there are some steep uphill sections with switchbacks
• Pace – moderate, social pace for picture taking, 1.5-2.0 mph (average)
• This is a multi-use trail (hiking, biking, horses)
• No pass required at the TH
• Vault toilet available at the TH
• Unfavorable weather conditions will cause cancellation
• 🐕 Dogs on leash are welcomed. My 13 yo minature labradoodle will join us.
• If you’re bringing a dog 🐕, let me know IN ADVANCE.
• Trail is narrow in some places. Recommend hiking poles for better balance when passing mountain bikers or other hikers
• Weather forecast – https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-120.39568519277964&lat=47.452608521286436#.YJCcC7VKhPY
• There may be mud and/or dust … weather dependent. Be prepared!
• Carpooling is encouraged, depending on your comfort level and arranged independently. Please consider reimbursing your driver ~10¢/mile (or more) for each passenger.
• After the hike, please join us for dinner in Wenatchee. McGlinns Public House is a good choice for our dinner stop. Check it out, I think there's something for everyone - https://www.mcglinns.com/

⚠️COVID-19 VACCINATION + BOOSTER REQUIRED TO HIKE.
⏰ IF YOU DO NOT HAVE @22 BY YOUR NAME, YOU WILL BE MOVED TO THE "NOT GOING" LIST UNTIL YOUR WAIVER & FEE ARE RECEIVED.

More driving instructions for Horse Lake Reserve Trailhead: From the intersection of Wenatchee Avenue and Horselake Road at the north end of Wenatchee, drive west (uphill) on Horselake Road. Follow the road for one mile (please drive slow and be respectful of the residential neighborhoods); the pavement ends where the Balsamroot trail access parking is.

Continue to drive another 2.4 miles up the primitive portion of Horselake Road and park in the parking lot on the right, or just past there along the side of the road if the parking lot is full. The gravel road to the trailhead has tight switchbacks, is prone to washboard, and can be dangerous in wet weather – please use caution and drive carefully (watch out for bicyclists!).