Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail and Cathedral Ridge Winery
Looking for a day of adventure? Head about 90 minutes east of Portland to Lyle, Washington for a quintessential spring hike that showcases some of the best scenery in the Columbia Gorge. Then kick back on a sunny patio with a glass of wine as you admire distant Mount Adams.
Overlook of the Columbia Gorge on the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail
Trip highlights:
Wildflowers — everywhere! In spring look for balsamroot, lupine, cluster lily, common fiddleneck, desert parsley, larkspur, buttercups, and so many more.
Fantastic overlooks of the Columbia River Gorge.
Craggy basalt cliffs and outcroppings.
Wooded areas of scrub oak and Ponderosa pine.
Rattlesnakes (maybe)! I saw one once on this trail and it lingers in my memory.
Basalt spire looms near the trailhead
Know before you go:
There are two connecting loops on this hike. Depending on which you do, the total distance will be 4 or 5 miles, or you can do both for a 6.5-mile hike.
With around 1200 feet of elevation gain, there is a fair amount of uphill walking.
Watch out for poison oak near the trail.
Leashed dogs are welcome.
The hike is suitable for older children, but there are some steep areas.
There are sections of the trail with loose rocks. You’ll want shoes with good ankle support.
Parking is free in the gravel lot by the trailhead and no pass is needed.
There are no restrooms at the trailhead, so consider stopping at the rest area off Highway 14 a few miles west of your destination.
Getting there:
To reach the trailhead from Portland, take Highway 14 East from Vancouver for 90 minutes OR save 10-15 minutes by taking I-84 East from Portland and paying the $2 Hood River Bridge toll to reach Highway 14 East. The small gravel parking lot for the trailhead will be directly off Highway 14 on the left. Parking is limited, but I’ve always been able to find a spot even when visiting during popular times.
Lupines blooming on the Cherry Orchard trail
On the trail:
From the trailhead, begin climbing steep switchbacks through a forest of scrub oak. Lupines line the trail in spring and create vibrant bursts of purple in the soft green of new grass. Scramble over sections of rock scree and take in glimpses of the Columbia River through the trees. After a few switchbacks, you will see a fork in the trail and a large wooden sign indicating the Cherry Orchard Trail. Use the boot brush by the sign to shake off unwanted seeds, and follow the fork to the right to continue the trail.
Shortly after passing the sign, the trail becomes less steep and the trees thin to reveal grassy fields full of wildflowers. Early blooms appear in March and the best displays continue into June. While views along this hike are excellent year-round, wildflower season is nothing short of magical on the Cherry Orchard Trail. As you walk, you will need to look in every direction to take in the splendor. Winds off the Columbia River create ripples of silver in the new spring grass. Lupines, cluster lilies, and death camas mingle to create a delicate foreground for rugged basalt outcroppings.
Flat-leaf desert parsley blooms at the upper Lyle bench overlook
Trail Junction:
When you reach an unmarked 4-way trail junction, take the short trail to the left and spend a moment at the basalt plateau known as the upper Lyle bench that provides a specular overlook of the Columbia Gorge and the town of Lyle below.
Return to the trail junction and choose which connecting loop to hike. Turning left (if you’re coming back from the upper bench) will take you to the Lyle Loop Trail (for a 4-mile total hike). Continuing straight and heading uphill will take you to the Cherry Orchard Trail (for a 5-mile total hike). You can’t really go wrong since both trails will have great views and plenty of wildflowers. You can even combine them for a 6.5-mile hike if you want to see it all.
Views from the Cherry Orchard Trail
Cherry Orchard Trail:
On the Cherry Orchard Trail, continue up the hill on the narrow dirt path past scrub oaks and boulders of basalt. You will cut through a stunning field of bright yellow balsamroot as you round the corner and head into an oak forest.
Look for buttercup blossoms along the trail as you thread through the oaks. Later in the spring, lupines with be in full bloom up here as well. Occasional clearings in the trees will reveal panoramic views of the Columbia Gorge. Complete the short loop at the end of the Cherry Orchard Trail. There will be an overlook along the loop with views of the Gorge from the highest vantage point on the trail.
After the loop, return the way you came down the hill or look for the connection with the Lyle Loop Trail to add this trail to your hike. Either way, you will return to the parking lot from the 4-way trail junction. I found the scenery to be at least as lovely on the way down.
Cathedral Ridge Winery:
Now it’s time to head to Cathedral Ridge Winery. Although a bit out of the way from the hike, I found the extra driving time to be worth it for the atmosphere of the winery’s patio. The tasting room is surrounded by green grass and daffodil blooms this time of year and has the quaint look of a cottage. Although the tasting room is inviting inside, I recommend the back patio on a nice day for the peek-a-boo view of Mount Adams.
The patio at Cathedral Ridge Winery
Getting there:
To reach the winery from the Lyle, take Highway 14 West and cross the Hood River Bridge into Oregon. Note that there is a $2 toll to cross the bridge. Briefly get onto I-84 West and then take Exit 62 toward Hood River. Turn left onto Highway 30 East, then right onto Mount Adams Ave. After 1.6 miles, turn left onto Post Canyon Dr. The winery will be on your left.
Vising the winery:
Cathedral Ridge recommends reservations. You can make them online through their website.
They offer several options for tastings. Prices start at $20.
Indoor and outdoor seating are available.
My friends and I did not follow our own advice and showed up unannounced when we visited. We were still able to get a great table on the patio but were limited to glass or bottle purchases rather than a full tasting. Undeterred, we each got a glass of a different wine so we could so do an informal tasting by sharing. Glasses of red wine are $10. The 2016 Merlot is full-bodied, rich, and would be a good choice for a dinner party. The 2017 Necessity Red is light, smooth, and versatile. The 2017 Dampier Pinot Noir is a good classic Oregon Pinot with some fruit and herbal notes. There are many wines to choose from, so our experience is only a small sampling of the options.
Enjoy the views and cheers to your next adventure!
With love,
Emma
Even without the wildflowers, the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail is incredible
Looking for more to do in the area? Consider these options:
Visit Tetrahedron Wines in Lyle, Washington. Directly off Highway 14 and only about a mile from the Cherry Orchard trailhead parking lot, this winery is an easy stop on the way back to town. Their generous tasting flight provides a sampling of 10 of their wines for only $10. The tasting room is cozy and relaxed. The disadvantage is that there is no outdoor seating, which can be disappointing on a beautiful day. We learned that there are plans to move the tasting room to a location with a great patio in a couple years, which we are already anticipating with excitement.
Interested in heading farther east? Check out Maryhill, Washington, including a visit to Stonehenge and Jacob Williams Winery. Our favorite time of year to visit the winery is then the cherry trees are blooming.
Explore more wildflower hikes in the Washington Gorge like the Coyote Wall and the Labyrinth Trail.
Cross the Hood River Bridge for wildflower hikes in the Oregon Gorge, such as the spectacular Mosier Plateau Trail.
