Thank You, Beautiful Flowers

I've been struggling with wanting to write up this trip report - I've actually been thinking about quitting altogether. When life and it's sorrows come knocking on your door, it's hard not to see this kind of thing as trivial. Why am I doing this? What does it even matter?

Walking in a field of flowers is not going to change the fact that life is hard. But I believe that finding a little joy in a moment of golden light surrounded by blooming glory is what gets me through the everyday grind. I'm sorry that this kind of "Instagram famous" hike can feel like a competition for the best picture. I get it, and I get why people take issue with it.

I don't want to add to the problem. But even though there were too many people and not enough parking, I saw everyone finding joy in the flowers. We need it. And we need to find patience and grace to deal with each other in all our imperfections and self serving ways. (I gratefully paid my parking ticket - I deserved it, but I do maintain it was a safe spot.) 

I'm not going to feel too guilty about this trip report because I doubt it will make a difference in the throngs that are going to go searching for the super bloom. And besides, I am part of the throngs; so judge me as you will. The flowers gifted me their beauty regardless. 

Things to know:

1) Both of these hikes are found in the AllTrails app, so it's not like they are some secret. The first is under "Olalla Canyon Ridge" and it's only about a 3 mile up and back with just 500 ft gain, so it's no wonder it's a madhouse. There is room in the "parking" for like 3 cars, so how can you not expect folks to park along the road? As far as I could tell, this was legal, as there is plenty of shoulder space. I know the locals don't like this, but it's not like you are parking in front of people's houses. I live with tulip traffic in my neck of the woods...it is what it is, and it's only while the flowers are blooming.

2) We stayed at the Leavenworth KOA so we could get to the hike late in the day and avoid some of the crowds. It's tough to pay $50 just to put up a tent, but I will say the bathrooms are exceptional. 

3) We should have left earlier for our second hike of "Cashmere Canyons Preserve" but when you are paying that much to camp you kind of want to stay awhile. This hike's lot has room for about 20 cars, and at 9:30am it was full. There was shoulder room for about 3 cars on either side of the lot, so I squeezed myself in. I felt bad about it, but I swear I would not have done it if I couldn't get my entire car completely off the road. But I agree that I was still naughty, and I got a parking ticket to prove it. 

4) This area has many miles of trails with awesome signage. It never felt crowded at all, but it could handle crowds because it's basically a road with two lanes. It's funny how we naturally made the left lane the "passing" lane, even though it was not often needed. But because of this, it would make the perfect place for trail runners.

5) I would recommend doing the "Spring Canyon Loop Trail" (as named on Alltrails) which is a left turn at the intersection at the ridge, and then CCW to Little Bear and back around to the intersection. This makes a very pleasant 8 mile day with about 2K feet in elevation gain. The side trip to Sunrise Peak is nice, but you get the same view at Little Bear.  If you want a better workout, do the loop CW.