Apricot Crisp Trail

This trail is in the upper elevations of the Horse Lake Reserve and meanders through some wonderful wildflower patches, big fir trees, viewpoints of the Cascade Mountains, and birding territory. The trail can be reached by following the Old Ranch Road from the gate, or by taking Homestead Trail to where it connects to the Old Ranch Road. About a quarter of a mile past where the Homestead Trail connects to the Old Ranch Road, you'll see the trail taking off to the left, just before you enter a big open field. The trail is in two sections: a lower section that is a mile in length, and an upper section that is 3/4 mile long.

How did Apricot Crisp get its name? The trail was originally designed and slated to be built in the fall of 2012, connecting the Horse Lake bed to an old apricot orchard higher up in the property. It was going to be a mellow, fun, smooth trail--and so the name was Apricot Smoothie. But when the fires came through in September of that year, the orchard and many other areas were scorched, and building the trail was postponed until spring of 2013. It seemed appropriate to change the name to Apricot Crisp!