Larches are a pot of gold in the fall hiking season; their flaming yellow needles turn a Cascade landscape into something ethereal and otherworldly. The few short weeks when the larches’ needles turn golden—typically late September into early October—make them all the more precious to spot. It’s no wonder we call our annual search “Larch Madness.”⁠ ⁠ But what do we know about larches? Ask a hiker or a park ranger what a larch is, and you’ll likely hear “deciduous conifer.” But what does that really mean? Why can’t we find them (for the most part) in Western Washington? And why do their needles turn yellow? With the help of trusty field guides and local experts, we set out to answer these questions.⁠ ⁠ ✍️ Read the full story in our bio link!⁠ ⁠ 📸Photo by Tricia Gabbard⁠ ⁠ #WashingtonTrails #Larches #FallHiking #Fall #Hiking #PNW #PacificNorthwest #Hike #Backpacking #Washington #Trail #PNWExplored #Nature #Travel #Outdoors #Mountains #Wilderness #GetOutside #Explore #Adventure #OptOutside