To get to Black Canyon, we drove from Ellensberg via the Wenas Road, which was muddy and full of potholes, but otherwise passable. The access road to Black Canyon was very rough; I'd recommend a high clearance vehicle.

Spring was just beginning at Black Canyon, with a faint green glow of new grass showing on the hillsides. The trail climbing the steep lava-walled canyon was decent enough to the old log cabin. Beyond there, the trail became increasingly ATV-churned and muddy. We finally left the roads and headed cross-country up a ridge to a large old ponderosa pine at 3700', where we enjoyed lunch and the view towards Cleman Mountain.

Ethan & I decided to take a hike up Black Canyon today as a way to get out & get some exercise without getting too wet. We went right at the fork a ways beyond the old cabin. There was a little blue sky on the way up, but when we reached the ridgetop it was windy and cool with some drizzle, so we retreated a short ways down the canyon to get out of the wind & had lunch in a stand of Ponderosa Pines. It was cooler & cloudy on the way back down and about half way between the fork & the cabin a storm blew in and it was windy & rainy all the way back to the truck. But despite the bad weather (or because of it?), we saw more people on the trail than we have ever seen before: a group of 6 or 8 from Seattle trying to escape the rain, 2 other couples, and 4 bow hunters. But nonetheless, it was a very nice hike: the rabbitbrush was in bloom, the grasses are turning golden, and after yesterday's all-day downpour, the air was filled with the scent of sage.

Black Canyon is a WTA recommended spring hike in the desert so Barbella and I decided to try it. The flowers are gorgeous, the Stuart Range is in full splendor, Mt. Adams is huge, and the 7 mile round trip is pretty easy along a dirt road that gains 2000 feet gradually. We saw hawk, jackrabbit, coyote, and an angry irritated 4 foot rattlesnake which was under a sage right next to the trail. Be careful!

It is a 3 hour drive from Capitol Hill to the trailhead. Basically the road goes south from Ellensburg then curves west around Umtanum Ridge and comes up to Black Canyon from the south. Take exit 109 from I-90. Turn right, under the freeway and get into the left lane. Just past the Baskin & Robbins turn left onto Umtanum road. This is paved south up Shushuskin Canyon where it turns into gravel for the next 7 or 8 miles, and then is paved again. Go 4.2 miles on this new pavement until you come to a dirt road to the left. There is no sign other than a public notice board and a second sign further up that tells you nothing. The clincher is to note the birdhouse on the fence across the road from the public notice. If it is birdhouse #8, you're there. The fence posts all along this road have birdhouses on them with little address numbers. Very cute.

Go .5 miles up a very rocky dirt road north to a gate with a hooked chain. Close the gate behind you and go another .8 miles to the trailhead. There are no signs or amenities, just a pile of rocks blocking further vehicle access. The road/trail ascends steadily 1.5 miles to an old cabin in a charming grove. This is where we met the snake. The road continues up the canyon to a junction. Take the right fork and curve around to the east, passing a small spring and well, up into the pine trees and flowers. Water from the well is still flowing in a small rivulet down even as far as the cabin. Eventually emerge on the top of Umtanum Ridge to spectacular views north, east, and west. We met a rancher up there in a pickup truck looking for lost cows. These hills are laced with dirt roads and a sturdy high clearance vehicle can drive to the top of most of them - but what fun is that?

We took 2 hours up and 1.5 hours down. Great frappicinos at the espresso stand just before getting back on I-90 to come home.

Black Canyon 5-15-09
Had to clear my head today and this is just what I needed. I read reports on this area and wanted to add it to my list of Eastern WA hikes. I got to TH @ 9:45. I think the road is for off road vehicles and not cars. I was the only one who parked in front of the TH today. It’s a total flower show, so get up here now! Stopped at the old cabin, then went to the right at the Y. Went through the Ponderosa trees and to a couple of big meadows of fantastic purple flowers, shooting stars mostly. I have NEVER seen so many shooting stars in my life! God, they are gorgeous and Rainer in the back drop. I don’t think it could have been more perfect. There was a slight breeze, sunny skies, no one in sight. I had the trail all to myself until I reached the ridge and saw two others. Views of Mt. Stuart & and Rainer. I took it all in for an hour and then headed back down. Took tons of butterfly pics. I was about 200 feet from the car and was bend down taking more butterfly photos and I heard the dreaded rattle sound.. I screamed and my legs shook with fear and I looked to my left and 5 feet from me was a rattle snake slithering into the rocks away from me. I tried to take a photo but I was kind of frozen with fear. I really don’t like snakes and was just thinking 5 mins earlier, another trip w/o a sighting and how lucky that was and put my guard down. From what I read they won’t purposely bite but it just freaks me out none the less. Oh, and with the flower show comes bugs, they are out, so bring bug juice.

Another fantastic hike.