Forty for Forty: Cashmere Canyon and the Adair Affair

by Cody and Maura Gillin

The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) has a place of special significance for our family. Like many local families, we spend a lot of time outside camping, hiking, and skiing. Turns out, however, that most of our trips visit CDLT properties, which are close, accessible, good for kids, great for exercise, and change constantly throughout the seasons. These properties have also been the welcome bell bringing our children into the world. Let us explain.

In May 2018, Cody was a newly minted CDLT board member and, along with the rest of the board, was invited to attend a preview of the Cashmere Canyons property where the CDLT had recently purchased a conservation easement to protect 2100 acres of privately owned natural lands. CDLT staff said this property was composed of important sagebrush and dry forest habitat. They also said the commanding views of Wedge Mountain, the Enchantments, Entiat Mountains, and Columbia River were second to none. Cody accepted the invitation and also brought his wife Maura, who was nine months pregnant.

Once on the property, CDLT staff gave a presentation covering the site’s history and how the current landowners hold conservation as a primary value. The owners worked with CDLT for several years structuring the details of a conservation easement that would limit future parceling and development of the property and bolster protection of the land’s habitat.
During the presentation, we also learned about the possibility of future public access to a portion of these lands via a trailhead that might be located off Nahahum Canyon Road. Allowing the public access is not a requirement of a private conservation easement, but these landowners wanted the public to experience the wonder of this landscape and, hopefully, grow the conservation ethos of our community.

Following the presentation, our group was invited on a hike of the property, including some of the trails and ranch roads envisioned for public access. What an opportunity! We walked green hillsides covered with expansive spreads of balsamroots and lupines. The promised views were made all the more spectacular by brooding clouds punctured by shafts of sunshine. As our group plodded along, we received commentary from the long-time ranch manager about the wildlife frequenting the property -- black bear, cougar, mule deer, bobcat, coyote, snakes, and dozens of bird species were all common sightings.

There was a lot of ground to cover and, despite her extra load, Maura had no trouble setting the pace. She scaled the small summits and feasted on the panoramic views from each hilltop. Some in the group worried about her level of exertion, but Maura had received advice from trust-ed experts that a good walk was a time-tested method for stimulating labor.

We finished the hike, thanked our hosts, and headed for home. It was a great day, but it was far from over. That evening, Maura noticed contractions that “felt different”. Sure enough, those contractions represented early labor. The process progressed and, just after noon the next day, we welcomed Adair Louise Gillin to the family. To this day, we’re convinced the sights, scents, and positivity we experienced at Cashmere Canyons invited our Addy Lou out of the womb and into the world. She’s been an explorer and a “nature girl” ever since.

And this is only Part One of CDLT’s role in the delivery of our girls. Part Two is coming later…

Details: Cashmere Canyon

The public access that the landowners envisioned for Cashmere Canyons became a reality three years after our visit. The following details will help you enjoy Spring Canyon Loop, the walk inciting the Adair Affair.

Access: From Highway 97 near Cashmere, drive three miles up Nahahum Canyon Road to the trailhead. The parking lot is on the west (left) side of the road. There’s a vault toilet and space for about 16 vehicles.
Trip Instructions: From the parking area, hike steeply up the Nahahum Trail 2 miles to reach the Ridge Road. Turn left and walk 0.3 mile to reach a fork in the road marking the start of Spring Canyon Loop – an undulating trail that will return you to this spot after a scenic 3 miles of walk-ing. Take the left fork if you’re into clockwise travel, the right fork if counter-clockwise travel is your passion.
Maps: https://www.cdlandtrust.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/CashmereCanyonsMainMapJune2021_compressed.pdf
Distance: Roundtrip distance of the entire walk is 7.6 miles.
Elevation Gain: About 2000 feet.
Difficulty: Moderate to advanced.

Best Seasons: Spring and fall. The area is subject to winter closures to protect mule deer.
Permits: None needed.
Allowed: Hiking, running.
Not Allowed: No dogs, bikes, motorized vehicles, horseback riding, hunting, shooting, carrying of weapons, antler or shed collection, camping, littering, ignition of combustible materials (e.g., fires, fireworks, smoking, or vaping), alcohol use, drone use, off-trail travel, or skiing. Important: Our continued access to these private lands depends on the public’s adherence to these rules.
Conservation Easement information: https://www.cdlandtrust.org/what-we-do/landowner-services/easements

Upcoming Event: Just as the Cashmere Canyons conservation easement protects rare and beautiful shrub-steppe habitat, you can help protect these lands too. Join us for a Noxious Weed Workshop led by the Chelan County Noxious Weed Board on June 12th from 5-7pm at Saddle Rock. Learn how to identify the noxious weeds that threaten native plant communities, especially following wildfire. You’ll get hands-on experience with fresh plant samples and receive a free weed ID booklet to take home. This workshop is free and open to all ages.

Cody Gillin currently serves as Board President of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust. Join him in supporting the organization’s efforts that enhance our local quality of life. (https://www.cdlandtrust.org/support-us/membership)

Forty for Forty: Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust with 40 stories about places the organization has protected and made available for public access.

Article in partnership with The Wenatchee World

Author

Cody and Maura Gillin