It’s wildflower time! 10 road trips and iconic hikes near Tri-Cities

The cool spring weather in the Pacific Northwest has delayed the peak of the spring flowers from the normal peak around Mother’s Day into late May this year.

So, if you want to see and enjoy the wildflowers, now is your chance. The hills are coming alive with flowers and color.

There are dozens of places to go all within an to two hours of the Tri-Cities where you can see an amazing variety of the magnificent wildflowers that cover the landscape with the entire spectrum of colors.

Some trails are close and some are farther away. Some are flat and some are more difficult. So match your physical level of activity and get outside.

While the valleys are clear of snow, chances of encountering snow increase with elevation. This week, locations below 2,500 feet elevation above sea level are pretty much free of snow, but you can encounter a foot of snow and more above 3,500 feet in the Cascades and the Blue Mountains.

You can find the snow depth elevations for target destinations by using the drag and zoom features of the USDA Forest Service Current Snow Depth Interactive Map.

Here’s a guide to just some of the best wildflower viewing areas in the region (links open up digital maps for navigation).

Tri-Cities area

Badger Mountain and Candy Mountain Preserve are at peak right here in the Tri-Cities. You can teach yourself the flowers if you download and print this illustrated flower list.

Hanford Reach North and the White Bluffs Trailhead north of Pasco offer incredible views of the Columbia River.

Yakima area

Umtanem Ridge Crest and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

Columbia River Gorge

Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail, Catherine Creek Trail, Coyote Wall Trail are all right off Highway 18 on the north side of the Columbia River near Lyle and White Salmon.

The Dalles, Ore. area

Tom McCall Preserve along the old Historic Columbia River Highway near Mosier just west of The Dalles offers wildflowers along with spectacular views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood and the Columbia River.

Cottonwood Canyon State Park amazing geology and wildlife along the John Day River east of Wasco, Ore.

Walla Walla area

Middle Fork Ridge Trail 17 miles south of south of Dayton near Bluewood Ski area.

Bennington Lakes and Rooks Park are just east of Walla Walla along Mill Creek.

Wenatchee area

Ancient Lakes Trail along the Columbia River near Quincy. This area is right near the Gorge Amphitheatre.

Cashmere Canyon Trailhead is along the Nahahum Canyon Road east of Cashmere WA.