Day Hike - Cowiche Canyon

​Tibbits Park & Ride open lot behind the Issaquah Transit Center, exit 15 off Interstate 90.  Meeting up time 8 a.m.

A wonderful canyon-bottom hike along Cowiche Creek in a "conservancy" area, near Selah, Washington.  It's a nice drive too.  I try to lead this hike twice a year.  The basic hike is 6 miles round trip, flat, follows an old rail bed and has seven creek bridge crossings.  Stunning cliffs above.

We'll take 2 side trip hikes up to the sage-steppe plateaus on each side of the canyon, to see some views of the Yakima Valley area.  The side trips will add about 2.5 miles and maybe 1,000 of elevation gain. 

We'll visit the Wilridge Winery and walk among their 60+ acres of vineyards.  Their "Tasting Room" will be open and, for those interested, there will be 20 wines to sample (for a small fee, that can be applied to a wine purchase).  The is a hike, so the idea is to have a few sample sips if you like, not make it an afternoon of drinking wine.  ;-)  They also have "small plates" of food for sale, or bring your own picnic lunch as we relax on the charming vineyard grounds.  Leave some room in your backpack if you care to buy a bottle or two.