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Balsamroot
Wenatchee,
Washington
overview
LENGTH : 3.6 miles, roundtrip
ELEVATION GAIN : 540 ft.
TYPE : hike
HIGH POINT : 1,110 ft.
The Balsamroot Trail is one of the best spring wildflower hikes in the Wenatchee area, winding through the open sagebrush and bunchgrass hillsides of the Wenatchee foothills at a time of year when the slopes come alive with the bright yellow blooms of arrowleaf balsamroot. The trail takes its name from the flower itself, and in a good year the hillsides are blanketed in color from mid-April into May, making it one of the most visually rewarding hikes close to the city during spring.
The trail can be accessed from two starting points, which allows for either an out-and-back or a point-to-point hike. The informal trailhead off Horse Lake Road sits at the lower end of the trail and is a small pullout with room for around ten cars but no facilities. Starting here, the trail climbs up through the wildflower-covered slopes with views opening up across the valley as you gain elevation. The upper access point is Kenzie's Landing Trailhead, which sits at a higher elevation and provides a different experience; hikers starting here will traverse the hillside before descending toward the lower trailhead, making it a natural option for a one-way shuttle hike or an out-and-back with more time spent at elevation.
Note that the Balsamroot Trail and much of the surrounding area falls within the Horse Lake Reserve, and like other trails in the reserve it is subject to seasonal closures from November 1st through March 31st to protect winter mule deer habitat.
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Directions
Parking
Trip Reports
April 6, 2026
DOWNLOAD GPXTOTAL MILEAGE : 5.4 miles, roundtrip
ELEVATION GAIN : 900 ft.
HIGH POINT : NaN ft.
After dropping my son and mom off in Wenatchee for the transporter to the Seattle airport (my mom was taking my son to Harry Potter World for spring break), I headed over to Horse Lake Road to hike the Balsamroot Trail. I had passed the trail while driving up to do the Sage Hills Trail almost 2 years ago, however it had been closed due to a fire. I found no evidence of the fire now, but that's not too surprising as the hike winds through open slopes of grass and flowers, and 2 years has been enough time for everything to grow back.
I choose to start at the informal trailhead off of Horse Lake Road instead of Kenzie's Landing, as I generally prefer to start my hike going up. There were no other cars in the pull-off, and after parking, I found the start of the trail across the road and proceeded to start the hike.
Start of the hike
A short distance into the hike the wildflowers really started to come out. I think I might have been a little early for the peak bloom, but within 15 minutes I saw Golden currant, Bluebells, Arrowleaf balsamroot and quite a bit of Phlox.
Phlox by the trail
The trail was in good shape, no mud, and the dust you get later in the season wasn't really an issue. It probably helps that the trail is closed from November 1st through March 31st. One thing I did notice as soon as I started hiking was an incessant buzzing. At first I thought it might a cell phone tower off in the distance, but then realized it was the buzzing of bees and other insects who were enjoying the wildflowers more than me!
On the trail
The trail winds through the lower foothills, gradually gaining elevation. It then more or less levels off as you pass behind a housing development and head towards Kenzie's Landing. There was quite of bit of Arrowleaf balsamroot in bloom, although still not peak season, as well a little Lupine and some Woodland star as well.
As I wrapped around the hill Kenzie's Landing Trailhead came into view. I haven't done a lot of hiking around Wenatchee, and had never been to Kenzie's Landing before - it definitely looked like a new trailhead, with a nice picnic structure, vault toilet and paved parking lot. The exact opposite of the informal trailhead that I parked at!
I came to the end of the Balsamroot Trail, and walked over the trailhead to have a gander. I decided to continue hiking up, as I had only hiked less than 2 miles. I did a quick check of the map, and it looked like I could continue along the Maiden Lane Trail up to where it intersects with the Sage Hill Trail, which would be a good turn-around spot.
Maiden Lane Trail
I passed by a lot of Serviceberry shrubs in bloom, with clusters of white flowers soaking up the sun. Apparently Serviceberry suburbs thrive in areas with wildfire, which would explain the large amounts in Chelan County. I remembered reading that Serviceberries are edible, and they grow around where I live, but I always forget to check for berries at the start of summer. Hopefully this year I will remember.
Serviceberry shrub
I reached the junction with the Sage Hills Trail and decided to turn around. It was actually getting quite hot, at least for what I am used to in the spring, with my car showing temps in the mid 70's by the time I got back. The hike back down was uneventful, with more views of the green Wenatchee foothills and lots of flowers.
On the way down
The Wenatchee foothills are a very convenient place to get out for a hike, especially in the spring when the wildflowers are out. The Balsamroot Trail is nice, I think I prefer hiking from the bottom, although I have only hiked it once. I look forward to exploring more in the area.
