This hike should be in a book - but it's so new most people don't know about it.

The Cowiche Conservancy ( http://www.cowichecanyon.org/ ) with help from numerous others was able to purchase the ""Snow Mountain Ranch"" from Carol Ann DeLaChappelle, daughter of Elon Gilbert. Gilbert, a Yakima fruit grower and friend of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, bought the 1700+ acre ranch to raise beef cattle and Arabian horses.

Now in the hands of the Cowiche Conservatory and sitting next to part of the Oak Creek wildlife refuge, the Snow Mountain Ranch is open to the public (and is also part of the new William O. Douglas Trail ( http://www.ci.yakima.wa.us/hot/dougtrail.asp ) which spans from Yakima to the Pacific Crest Trail).

For an introduction to the area, the Conservancy has been providing guided tours on Sundays in October. Daren was our guide, taking us through the Snow Mountain Ranch and up an old road to the top of Cowiche Mountain. Starting off from the parking area, there is only one true trail leading you down to Cowiche creek. Once at the creek the new trail ends and at a wooden bridge are Warning and No trespassing signs. Our guide indicated that this was to keep ATVs and other vehicles away, but it was OK for hikers and backpackers. The bridge is stable (for the most part) but old. If you stay on the west side of the bridge when crossing, you should be fine.

After crossing the creek we walked through a meadow and followed a road up a draw (skirting part of the Oak Creek wildlife refuge) heading towards Cowiche Mountain. Old fences appear from time to time, along with old bones and cans and even an old water tank. The ranch and trail is a work in progress. Much needs to be done but a lot has been accomplished considering that they just bought the place in January (2005). In a couple places you could see (two or three) old tires but everything else contributed to the rustic look of this old place where cattle and horses once roamed.

Eventually the road to the mountain top petered out turning into a narrow trail and then that disappeared. Just continue on making your way to the top which is plain to see. A trail is planned, but for now you will have to make your own.

Once at the top of Cowiche mountain you had great 360 views of the surrounding hills and mountains. To the west were the Cascades, Mount Adams and Rainier. Rotating to the north you could see the Bethel Ridge and the Clemen mountain range. To the east you see the southern section of the Yakima Canyon and Umtanum Ridge. And as you rotate to the south you could see across the Yakima valley to Ahtanum Ridge and the Tampico area. With blue skies it was just a delight!

To get to the Snow Mountain Ranch parking area from Yakima, go west on Summitview and when passing 72nd Ave go 6.7 miles to Cowiche Mills road on the left. On Cowich Mills road continue 2.6 miles to the Snow Mountain Ranch parking area (again on the left). Note: You will see a sign with Snow Mountain Ranch, go past that and shortly you will see another sign for the actual parking area just off the road.

The web site isn't completely up to date with one section saying the ranch is closed. The updated section on the ""News"" page explains that only some portions are closed.