Selah Butte — Sunday, May. 1, 2011

Central Washington > Yakima

Directions to the TH are accurate in Bauer and Nelson's Best Desert Hikes book. The flower show begins after passing through the gate and the start of the BLM lands. The road is rough and steep but can be driven by all but low clearance vehicles. There are literally trillions of Large-headed clovers and yellow desert parsleys. We stopped many times to take pictures on our way to the TH so if you have a low clearance vehicle park it inside the gate and walk to the TH. Flowers are just beginning at the top. Hooker's balsamroot is blooming at the TH. We saw lupine, phlox, and sagebrush violets blooming at the top. Thyme Buckwheat, hedgehog cactus, and bitterroot will probably bloom in 2-3 weeks. One has to watch every step they take because of the many plants. Mt Adams, M Rainier, and the Stuart Range were beautiful as is the view down to Rosa Dam and the Yakima River. This is an easy stroll through a wildflower paradise.