If you want to spend a little more time in Wenatchee, there’s much more to do than going to Ohme Gardens.
Outdoors
There are hiking and biking trails, many starting right in town and leading you along the Columbia River or into the Cascade foothills.
Probably the most popular is the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, 13 miles running along both sides of the Columbia River in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. It’s one of the longest loop trails in Washington, popular with bicyclists, walkers, joggers and in-line skaters.
Saddle Rock is a favorite trail for hiking and mountain biking. With a trailhead practically in town, it offers commanding views of the valley from the hills east of town. The trail is 3.3 miles round trip, with about 900 feet of elevation gain.
Devil’s Gulch has a reputation as a great mountain biking destination. A 12-mile grind to the top from the trailhead in Cashmere is rewarded with wide views of the Cascade peaks.
For more on opportunities for paddling, biking and hiking, the Wenatchee Valley Visitor Bureau provides information and a map of the area’s trails at www.wenatcheevalley.org.
Looking for a lunch stop or trail picnic? Stop at the Anjou Bakery in Cashmere on your way into Wenatchee.
They offer sandwiches on their artisan breads, quiches and crostinis, almond croissants, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods.
The Anjou is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays at 3898 Old Monitor Highway, Cashmere.
Sip suds
Wenatchee’s first commercial brewery, Columbia Valley Brewing, opened this spring on the Columbia River. A converted warehouse space has seven microbrews on tap, an indoor seating and tasting area, pool tables and a 1,600-square-foot patio, just steps from the Apple Capital Loop Trail.
Downtown Wenatchee will welcome its second brewery at the end of the summer. Saddle Rock Pub and Brewery promises a minimum of 12 microbrews on tap, including its own small-batch craft brews.
Devil’s Gulch Drinkery, 215 Mission Ave., Cashmere, has a craft distillery, several winery tasting rooms and several other small businesses in a renovated warehouse. The tasting bar will feature craft beers, local wines and hard ciders.
Events in the area
Wenatchee Valley Street Rods-Apple Run Car Show: June 24 to 26. An annual event at Confluence State Park that displays more than 300 pre-1975 vehicles, everything from hot rods to classics. Food and craft vendors, as well as live music, are part of the show. More information at 509-884-7053 or www.wenatcheevalleystreetrods.com.
David Thompson Bicentennial Canoe Brigade celebration, 4 to 8 p.m. June 26. In honor of David Thompson, who traveled the entire length of the Columbia River, completing the fur trade route between Montreal and the Pacific Ocean, a group is paddling the 1,200 miles down from Invermere, B.C., to Astoria, Ore. During the brigade’s stop in Wenatchee, the community will host a festival at Confluence Park, 333 Olds Station Road.
Sprint Boat Racing at Thunder Swamp, July 9. The race will feature 25 to 35 boats racing individually at speeds of up to 80 mph. Each boat holds a driver and a navigator, negotiating the course in a predetermined route revealed the night before the race. Thunder Swamp is at Grant Road and Urban Industrial Way in East Wenatchee. Ticket information and details can be found at www.thunderswamp.com.
Apple Capital Duathlon and Triathlon, Aug. 21 and 22. Athletes can choose between a triathlon or duathlon. Sprint events are Aug. 21, including the triathlon (450-yard swim, 20k bike, 5k run) or duathlon (5k run, 20k bike, 5k run). The Olympic distances Aug. 22 feature the triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) or duathlon (10k run, 40k bike, 10k run). Racing begins at 8 a.m. each day. Events are at Daroga State Park, 15 miles from Wenatchee. More information at www.triwenatchee.net or call 509-293-5614.
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