Lyle Cherry Orchard, Lyle Washington
- tmschales
- May 11
- 3 min read
Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail Condition Report
Parking Pass Needed: None!
Date of Visit: 5/8/2025
Distance: ~6 miles lollipop loop out and back, choice of routes
Elevation Gain: 1300ft
Potential Concerns: ticks, poison oak overgrowing on trail, rocky/root uneven ground, sun exposure (heat illness), pollen, crossing scree fields, snakes
Trailhead Amenities: None
Video: https://vimeo.com/1083337681
Blooms: Common Vetch, Hairy Vetch, Balsam root (most past prime), Velvet Lupine, Miner’s Lettuce, Dove’s foot Crane’s-bill, Tall Western Groundsel, Woodland star, Ternate Desert-parsley, Checker Lily, Yarrow
I love the diversity of this trail. You walk along with stunning views of the gorge, then through orchard and the Western Ponderosa forest. The biggest challenges here are the exposure and poison oak; the poison oak was overgrowing on the trail near the entry to the forest. I didn’t see any snakes on this visit, but I usually do see them here. Bring extra sunscreen and water, and long pants. *Lots of ticks here, be sure to check yourself and dog well.
The trail itself is well established, easy to follow with plenty of signs along the way. Take advantage of the shoe scraper before and after your hike to get those stowaway seeds off.
Most of the elevation gain is in the beginning part of the trail, take your time and enjoy the views while you catch your breath on the way up. After that its more of what I consider “rolling”; little up, little down.
There is a falcon nesting site on the lollipop loop- please observe the signage and follow any restrictions to protect those nesting cuties.
*If this is your first time on this hike:
Google maps takes you straight to the trailhead. There are no restrooms, and most of the terrain is open/highly visible so take care of your needs as best as you can before you get to the trail. There are two little loops that branch off; be sure to snap a photo of the map at the trailhead or know which route you’d like to take (Or do both and come well prepared with water and electrolytes).
Scree fields can be challenging for new hikers, especially when they are exposed if you have any fear of heights. Take your time and always maintain as many points of contact with the ground as possible (Firmly plant one foot before lifting the other). I use trekking poles for bonus traction, but a lot of people find them useless in rocky areas.
See above for the other general information about the trail, and potential concerns.
I strongly recommend a visit to French’s Farm on your way in/out of Lyle- local folks that donate all of their tips to the Lyle Fire Department, and there is NOTHING better than their homemade ice cream after this hot hike! You’ll probably want to clear some room in the car to take a beautiful plant back home with you, too.
Get out there and enjoy those Gorge views!
I hope you find this helpful, and if you do please consider donating toward my goal of removing financial barriers and providing complete head-toe gear, permitting, and guiding for humans that would otherwise not be able to enjoy our outdoor areas.
Even $1 helps us reach this goal!
Happy Trails,
Trish
Welcome!
I've started these reports because the loss of funding and staffing for USFS and other agencies in Oregon & the Pacific Northwest will result in reduction of trail maintenance, and I am concerned for public safety with poor trail conditions. This is my "What can I do to help people stay safe?" solution.
These reports are a tool to use in conjunction with maps, weather forecasts, and wildfire maps- they are not all inclusive and please note that trail conditions are apt to change rapidly (And I cannot be liable for conditions that have changed after my visits).
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