Umtanum Creek Canyon

Take a pleasant hike up a spectacular canyon filled with brilliant fall color and a chance to see bighorn sheep.

In fall,the color is fading and the mountains are filling up with snow. It's the perfect time to head for the east side of the Cascades, where the lush deciduous streamside vegetation is serving up a kaleidoscope of color. And one of the most dramatic places to see it all is Umtanum Creek Canyon.

From the parking area, take the swinging bridge across the Yakima River and follow the trail under the railroad tracks and into the canyon. Almost immediately a trail goes off to the left, but continue straight ahead. As you walk, watch for bighorn sheep on the cliffs above and for old apple and walnut trees in the canyon, remnants of an old homestead. After about 0.75 mile the trail splits, just past a boulder in a field. Take the right fork, which will lead you to a crossing of the creek. Look upstream here for a magnificent beaver dam.

The trail continues up the canyon, mostly through open fields, but at one point passing through a dense grove of young aspen. After about a mile, come to another fork in the trail.Take the left trail, dropping down to another crossing of the creek and a very nice campsite. From here the trail is more in the trees, with cliffs towering overhead, and after about 3 miles becomes more difficult. For wider views, try scrambling to the top of one of the many buttresses for sweeping views up and down the canyon. When you’re ready to head home, return the way you came.

WTA Pro Tip: The parking lot is owned by BLM and fees are in place from mid-May to mid-September; $5.00 a car.