Washington Trails Association has a number of trip reports that mention wildflower bloom. Here are some highlights from the last few days.
Skagit Wildlife Area — Apr 22, 2014 — Puget Sound and Islands — North SoundTwinberry, salmonberry, currant, and elderberry in bloom.Black Canyon — Apr 20, 2014 Eastern Washington — Yakima
So I was up by 5am, and on the road by 5:40am. At the trailhead…just before 9am. I wasn’t sure the Jetta could make it to the TH. Some years the last bits of the road can be tricky. Well I managed to get there. It wasn’t too bad. I parked just shy of the upper trailhead because I planned to do a loop trip this time. My plan was to hike up Black Canyon and then come out via the ridge (old road) between Goodwin and Spud Canyons.
I was moving up the trail by 9am. A few bits of color early on. Balsamroot, ball headed waterleaf, black desert parsley. There always seems to be a “dry” stretch for flowers on this trail. They are there at the start…then a long pause before they show up again around the site of the old homestead. This time was no different.. After the old homestead, the old favorite flowers started to make and appearance…bluebells, buttercups, etc. No yellow bells though…none the entire trip. I’m guessing I’m a bit too late to catch these early bloomers.I continued up the road and followed my usual route up to Umtanum Ridge. Along the way, more flowers…grass widows, spring beauty…
Flowers are going strong but give it another week or so. The lupine and balsamroot are just getting started.
Snow Mountain Ranch — Apr 20, 2014 Eastern Washington — YakimaI was doing a survey for the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s trail committee. The wildflowers above the riparian areas are very nice. . The fields of balsamroot along the road are spectacular, though on closer inspection they are getting a little past. The wildflowers are out in abundance over here, and with the warm days, it’s a wonderful time to be in the shrub-steppe.
See many more hike reports at: Washington Trails Association.
Natural History Wanderings 
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