After dropping my son off at camp in Chelan, my parents and I (along with their two English Setters) headed up to Echo Ridge. I had contemplated doing some other hikes farther away, however temperatures were forecasted to be 105F, and we need something nearby and preferably at higher elevation where the temps would be a little lower.
My go to route for a short hike at Echo Ridge is Tootsy Roll and Lolly Pop, but I had already taken my parents on that short hike last year. So it was time to try something new, and Whoop-Di-Do looked like the perfect alternative. From the lower trailhead we started heading clockwise on Lolly Pop.

Starting off from the Lower Trailhead on Lolly Pop
It didn’t take long before we reached the junction with Whoop-Di-Do and we decided to head counter clockwise along the trail. It’s such a short loop that it really doesn’t matter what way you head, but it was either a slight incline or slight decline, so I opted for the incline. I was surprised to see some flowers still in bloom and green grass in shady areas along the way.

Starting on Whoop-Di-Do trail

Flowers on the Whoop-Di-Do trail

Meadow along the Whoop-Di-Do trail
While it was starting to get pretty hot, there was a nice breeze and the hike had some shady spots to it, providing some relief from the sun. My parents dogs were definitely feeling the heat, but I think they covered 3 times the mileage we did, as they were busily exploring the forest trying to sniff out birds.
Near the end of the loop we spotted a lizard just off the trail. After the fact, I learned it was a pygmy short-horned lizard and it is a species of concern in Washington (the Department of Fish and Wildlife website encouraged submitting an observation, which I did).

Pygmy short-horned lizard
At the junction with Lolly Pop, we stopped for a short break to give the dogs water and a treat, and then we continued on Lolly Pop back to the car. As is typical, the lot was empty and we didn’t see anyone on the hike today at Echo Ridge.

Gem cruising along Lolly Pop trail

Lower trailhead parking lot nice and empty
A nice short hike, with some decent shade along the way. Doable in the heat of the summer, as long as you go in the morning.