
Trip
Day Hike - Umtanum Creek Canyon
1st hike of my annual Yakima Canyon Wildflower Hike Series! NOT through the canyon, but instead up a steep trail up the hill on the north side of the canyon, through gorgeous flowers including balsamroot and lupine with views of the Yakima River
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity.
- Sat, Apr 16, 2016
- Foothills Hiking Committee
- Day Hiking
- 20-30 Somethings, Adults
- Moderate/Strenuous
- Moderate
- Mileage: 5.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
- 1 (8 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
10:00am, Ellensburg I-90 exit 109 (Canyon Road) Conoco gas station
This is NOT a hike through the canyon, but rather we will be hiking steeply up the hill on the north side of the Umtanum Canyon mouth and then following the ridge to a high point overlooking the largest bend on the river.
The beginning (and end) of this hike will be very steep (700 feet in 1/2 mile) and loose in places. So please do not underestimate this trail! But it is rewarding, as we will be hiking through some gorgeous colors! Lupine, balsamroot, some bitterroot, and much more!
Trip report from last year: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2015-04-09.5354309115
The Yakima Skyline Race will be using our trailhead, but no worries, they will not be on our trails, plus they are kind enough to give up all the parking up close to the trail. It will be fun to spot trail runners on the hills opposite of where we will be.
This is one of two hikes I will be leading on this weekend. On Sunday, I will lead Yakima Skyline Ridge, and that hike as well as all my others can be found here: https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/activities#b_start=0&c2=Pribbernow
There are some nice campgrounds along the river in the Yakima Canyon. If others are interested, we can camp out between the hikes and perhaps grill some food! Even if you are only doing one hike, still camp with us!
Umtanum Creek Canyon
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USGS Wymer
USGS The Cottonwoods
WA DNR Yakima
Green Dot Maps (wdfw.wa.gov) - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Hiking gear, good boots, sunglasses/sunscreen
Recommended: trekking poles, camera