
Trip
Naturalist Trip - Tieton River Nature Trail
Enjoy a hike in the Tieton River Canyon for spectacular autumn colors, birds, and dramatic rock formations.
- Sat, Oct 21, 2023
- Seattle Naturalists Committee
- Naturalist
- Adults
- Easy/Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 7.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 764 ft
- Pace: 1.5 to 3.0 mph
- FULL, 11 on waitlist (10 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
As a Naturalist trip, we will move slowly and pause frequently to identify plant species in their fall colors, birds, and other wildlife. You may want to bring binoculars. Apps like Washington Wildflower Search, Merlin, and Seeks will be useful.
Post-hike options: After the hike, you're welcome to join us for recovery beverages at a local winery (weather dependent). And since this is a long drive for many folks, you're welcome to join us for camping in the Yakima River Canyon (also weather dependent). The leader will email participants before the hike to assess interest and coordinate plans.
Plants commonly seen along the trail: black cottonwood, ponderosa pine, hawthorn, Garry oak, dogwood, sagebrush, bitterbrush, rabbitbrush. Complete plant list from WNPS.
Birds commonly seen on this hike in fall: Stellar's jay, northern flicker, osprey, Lewis's woodpecker, and golden eagles. Complete bird list on eBird.
WTA hike description: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/tieton-river-nature-trail#hike-full-description
More info on Oak Creek Wildlife Area: https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/oak-creek-wildlife-area
We'll meet in the parking lot of the Oak Creek Wildlife Recreation Area at 9am. Park in the large lot near the bathrooms.
Google maps link to parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/UoDXwTHVsHGqknF26
Directions from Yakima: Head west on US 12 about 4.4 miles past the stoplight in Naches to the junction with Highway 410. Turn left to stay on Highway 12. Continue southwest 2.0 miles to the Oak Creek Wildlife Recreation Area.
Required Equipment
- Navigation
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
- First aid
- Knife
- Fire
- Shelter
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes