Apple Capital tour

Summer, technically, is here.

In Western Washington, of course, that means the weather simply feels a bit more like spring.

But if you truly want summer now - hot, sunny, satisfying summer - why not treat yourself to the charms east of the mountains?

Obvious bets are the hiking and recreation escapes of Leavenworth and Lake Chelan, but what about Wenatchee?

Not only is the city becoming a destination for skiers in winter and wine-touring fans in the fall, but it's also home to some of the state's best summer recreation, including the often-overlooked Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.

The paved 11-mile riverside loop trail, one of the longest, if not the longest, trail of its kind in the state, should be on every Washingtonian tourist's list.

It's a wonderful way to get your bearings in Wenatchee and an ideal place to warm up your hiking or biking legs before the truly punishing heat of the east sets in and turns the surrounding mountains completely brown.

You'll get a sampling of urban and rural scenery over the course of the trail, including grassy parks, water-lapped beaches and dry brushy desert with splashes of the Cascade Mountains in the distance.

Wildlife, including marmots, quail and swallows darting like fighter pilots, will greet you along the way, especially if you set out in the early morning or evening.

Three bridges - two reserved for pedestrians - will help you cross the Columbia River twice and the Wenatchee River once, providing ample opportunity for wide views and, if you're a photographer, perfect pictures of the river and valley.

There are numerous options for starting your trip on the trail, including downtown Wenatchee, home to the convention and visitors bureau on Wenatchee Avenue where a new pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks leads to the trail.

You also can begin your journey at many other public points on the trail too, including Wenatchee Confluence State Park.

The 197-acre recreation haven is home to RV and tent campsites, a playground, a swimming beach, sports fields, picnic areas, natural wetlands, interpretive trails and essentials such as restrooms, drinking water and showers, all set at the meeting of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers.

If you plan to do the entire trail - a relatively flat but long day hike or a respectable bike ride - be sure to treat it as a wilderness experience.

Bring appropriate clothing, snacks, water, sunglasses, sunscreen and, though it's not one of the 10 essentials, bug spray.

While the Wenatchee side of the Columbia River provides a somewhat urban parklike atmosphere along the trail, the East Wenatchee side is more rural with long stretches without flush toilets and drinking fountains.

On the eastern side of the Columbia you can also take a side trip on a 1.3-mile paved spur trail that goes south along Highway 28 to Rock Island Hydro Park, a county PUD park where you'll find sports fields, picnic areas, swimming, a boat launch and restrooms.

Similar to the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle, the main loop trail, completed in 1994, is not 100 percent picturesque.

You'll see the backsides of some of the city's massive fruit-packing plants and you'll walk beside busy U.S. 2 traffic on the Odabashian Bridge, which spans the Columbia River at the trail's north end.

Despite its imperfections, however, the trail is something of an interagency miracle with six local, county and state bodies involved in its upkeep and management.

Wenatchee Parks and Recreation specialist Sarah Fitzgerald said the trail is especially popular with locals who use the trail for their commutes and exercise.

"Even people who don't use it are really proud of it," she said. "I think it makes our riverfront really beautiful. It's the first step in making our riverfront a destination."

When you're done with the trail, be sure to explore the area's growing cadre of respectable pubs, restaurants and enticing bakeries (see the sidebar with this story for bakeries), all sitting amid some seriously stunning scenery.

Reporter Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037 or sjackson@heraldnet.com.