Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead
- End point:Lyle Cherry Orchard
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type:Out and back
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 1160 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round, best in spring
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
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Hike Description
This is a little known hike east of Lyle.
From the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead, the trail immediately begins climbing through a scrub oak forest, completely filled with poison oak. In about 1/10 of a mile the trail comes to the remains of Highway 8, a predecessor of today's Highway 14. Follow the road to the left a few steps and you'll come to a beautiful trailhead sign. Just behind the sign is a metal box of releases. This is private land, but the landowner has generously agreed to allow hikers with a signed release. The release simply says that each hiker assumes all risks from hiking on the property and that the landowner isn't responsible for any injuries or problems. The hikers also agree to not start a fire.
Beyond the sign, the trail leaves the old road and starts steeply up a little draw. Poison oak is common throughout the hike and this area is no exception. After a bit, the valley opens up, but the trail stays just as steep, climbing past rock outcrops and wildflowers in early spring. About a half mile up, there's a side trail, heading west into a large flat area that we've called the Lyle Bench. There's a great view of the town of Lyle from the west end of the bench.
The main trail slabs across the hill toward the east, still climbing like crazy. There's a fence stile in another 1/10 of a mile, somewhat hidden in the trees. The views of the Columbia River Gorge get really good as the trail switchbacks higher. At about a mile from the trailhead you'll come to the summit of the trail. From here, things are dramatically easier.
The trail works its way east, with slight ups and downs through scrub oak forest. There's a narrower stile at mile 1.3 and at mile 1.5 is a small, seasonal pond that's just packed with butterflies in the early spring. At the 2 mile mark, you'll come to an old dirt road. Turn right here and you'll pass through what may be an old homestead site at the edge of a grassy area. This is the Lyle Cherry Orchard. The surviving trees are on the eastern edge of the clearing. Only one is visible from the place where you enter the meadow, but if you walk to that one, the others are plainly visible.
A lot has happened in the world since these trees were planted. Hidden away on this hill, the world has pretty much passed them by. Plan on spending a little time with the old girls. They're old and frail, but they're not quite done yet.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- A free, signed release is available onsite and required.
- No fires
- Day use only
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike
- Lyle Cherry Orchard 4/8/07
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Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
More Links
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)