Wenatchee Foothills Report – May 10-12, 2022

Three west side CAI members were able to come over for some fabulous hiking in the Wenatchee Foothills, including Kendra Wanzenried, Gerlinde Gruber, and Cam Bradley to join hike leader Karen Kornher.

 The first afternoon hike was in the Sage Hills area, including Coyote Canyon. The wildflowers were busting out all over. The women were swooning. Gerlinde was in charge of identification, and she got so tired of identifying the multiple species that she threw the book at the flowers. Kendra was concerned that Gerlinde had damaged the pistils and stamens of said flowers, to which Gerlinde replied that they appeared to have no trouble reproducing. 

 The women retired to Karen's house after the hike for a wonderful dinner of barbecued chicken and salad, followed by an incredible tart created by Gerlinde. We all had enough energy left to work on a CAI/PNW Tik-Tok dancing routine. 

 The following day took us to the Saddle Rock trailhead, where we enjoyed an exciting loop across two ridges, and through an abandoned gold mine. Again, the hills were alive with a plethora of flowers. After the hike, dinner included delectable hamburgers followed by another incredible dessert from Gerlinde. No energy was left for dancing.

 The last day, we drove to the Horselake trailhead and did a loop including Burt's Trail, and a portion of Glacier View Trail. Unfortunately, the clouds obscured Glacier Peak, but again, the flowers were incredibly abundant.

 The west side women were amazed about a number of things on these hikes. First and foremost, the incredible floral displays. Second, they were very much surprised that there were so few people on the trails. I explained that it was Tuesday, but that did not seem to satisfy.  The third, and to me, most interesting insight was that they could see where the trail went and views in all directions. There were not trees everywhere blocking the views, as they are accustomed to. 

Submitted by Karen Kornher