![]() ![]() Depending on where in Washington you are, the general North Cascades and Leavenworth area are two spots you can explore to find larches. Now that you know when the larches are showing off their fall colors in Washington state, you can set off on your adventure to start finding them. Or when you should be looking for the golden trees. When it comes to finding larch trees in Washington, you might find it rather tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. They can turn really quickly, so it’d be a disappointment to wait too long and miss them. ![]() However, my general rule is as soon as I see pictures of those golden larches, I plan a trip within a week out to the location. Both of these are regularly updated by users who can report both the conditions on the trail and the color of the larches, and upload pictures so you can see if you need to go soon or can wait a little bit. The best way to find out when to go is to read the trail reports on the WTA website or on AllTrails (I pay for AllTrails Pro, which is more than worth it for the trail map downloads). So if you plan on hiking to see the golden larch trees, it’s always a good idea to research the hike you’re planning on and find out how the larches are looking. They’re only yellow for a couple of weeks, which tends to be late September to early October. On the other hand, the larches turn predominantly yellow, which will be a sure giveaway that you’re spying on larches and not fir trees, which they are often mistaken for. This is prime time for seeing general fall foliage, as many other trees turn yellow, red, and orange. This provides the perfect backdrop of yellowing and reddening leaves contrasting against emerald greens, and going on a Washington larch hike is one of the best things to do in the Pacific Northwest.įall officially starts in Washington on September 22nd and ends on December 21st. A large portion of the indigenous species are evergreens, meaning that they won’t lose their leaves. Washington is a dream state for those chasing the beauty that comes with fall. While we have some beautiful winter hikes in Washington, you won’t find the larches topped with snowy peaks – they lose these needles and stand bare, waiting for the chance to produce fresh leaves. The colors transform into a deep green throughout the summer months. When is Larch Season in Washington?ĭuring the spring, the larches grow bundles of lightly colored needle leaves. The state of Washington is lucky enough to have two species of the iconic larches, the western larch ( Larix occidentalis) and subalpine larch ( Larix lyallii). The various species of larch trees are also native to Asia and northern, colder parts of Europe. ![]() These trees prefer colder climates, and they thrive in mountainous areas where they have plenty of space to grow into forests. Naturally, these trees give you the feeling that they belong in a picture-perfect fall or winter wonderland scene depending on if you go when there’s also snow. As the cones start to mature, they’ll turn a woody brown before it drops off the tree. Nestled in between these clusters are tiny pink flowers that’ll eventually turn into yellow or red cones. The tree’s needles are only around an inch long, but they form large clusters of between 30-40 leaves. As the weather starts to cool, their once green needle-like leaves turn a golden yellow. While spring and summertime allow these tall trees to display a rich green color, they’re even more spectacular in the fall. Larches are impressive deciduous coniferous trees that grow to a height between 65 and 160 feet. Here are some tips to help you plan the best hikes to see larches in Washington. What to Pack for Larch Season in Washington.What to Know About Larches in Washington. ![]()
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