There are few things I love more than wildflowers. Unfortunately, in Washington, you often have to wait until well into July to get any flowers in the mountains. But don’t despair! There are some great low-lying trails like Coyote Wall where you can get your wildflower fix much earlier in the season. Coyote Wall is another beautiful hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. In late May through April there are stunning displays of wildflowers along large portions of the trail – Balsamroot and Lupin are particularly prevalent. It’s not all about the flowers though. There are also great views of Mount Hood peeking over the foothills in the distance.

It’s not always clear which trail is the official trail, but try your best to avoid any areas that have been blocked off for restoration. Also, it’s popular to do Coyote Wall as a loop hike (really more of a tiny lollypop). Because the area is so open, you always have a good feel for where you are. But there are a number of trail junctions, and even though they all seem to go more or less to the same place, I found myself checking my GPS map a number of times just for peace of mind. On that note, there was surprisingly good service the entire hike.

Distance: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,750

FYI: The wildflowers don’t start until you are about halfway up the trail. But boy do they ever start!

Also, make sure to bring plenty of water! Coyote Wall Trail is all uphill (until you turn around), and there’s no escaping the sun. This isn’t your typical Washington hike that winds its way up through miles of forest before finally breaking out to a viewpoint. You are out in the open and exposed to the elements the entire trail. But chin up! That also means you get to enjoy great views the entire time!