Got to the trail at 3 after a trip from Tacoma. Sunny and warm but sun soon was below the rim of the canyon walls. Would have been better to start the hike at midday this time of year. Fall colors fading but still striking.

Took a Halloween hike through this gorgeous canyon. Arrived at TH at 11:30. Plenty of space. Trail is great condition.  Took the Upland Spur trail and back down again as well. Coverd a total of 7 miles. Fall colors are out, but it's at the end, and likely in a week, will be gone completely. Beautiful views on the upper trails of the valley. Yakima is my hometown, and it was good to be back for the weekend and enjoy the valley in the fall. 

The canyon is colorful. We walked through the canyon and took the upland trail on the way back. The views never get old. We did cross paths with a rattlesnake, so keep your eyes peeled. 

27Oct ~14:00, i was the first to arrive at the SummitView Trailhead. i did a Clockwise Loop - Summitview Trialhead - Lone Pine Trail - mid-way Cowiche Canyon Trail - up an "un-named" path - South Rim Trail - <not shown in the CCUplandmap3_2020-1> Historic Jeep Trail - Summitview Trailhead. When i got back to the Trailhead, there were 5 other vehicles in the parking lot.

During my ~2 hours in the Cowiche Canyon area, i had a very enjoyable experience of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (www.cowichecanyon.org): "treasure: beautiful shrub-steppe – an arid landscape made up of sagebrush and grasslands, flowering meadows, oak woodlands, and basalt cliffs".

Also, i encountered or saw a total of ~10 "hikers" and 2 dogs. Those few i encountered and chatted with were very friendly; including a couple whose dog was very cute and "tiny". When i enquired about the breed of their cute "tiny" dog, they cheekily told me that they only know the mother of their dog - a Pekingese. As for the father, its "whatever" that jumped over the fence .. :)

Sadly, not much to see of the "Falls colors" (in those areas where i passed through).. the Reds are gone .. most of these Red leaves having fallen. Perhaps, there are some yellow and gold colors left ..

As for the 2-days ago rattle-snake as reported by uptownflunk .. that's scary .. but perhaps, it was in a different area than where i was. Btw, though the Cowiche Canyon Trail is a "straight" path between its West and East Trailheads, it may be useful for new visitors to have a copy of the Cowiche Canyon area - because there is a maze of other trails beside it.

i am very thankful to Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. And i wish them further success in their good work! For further information: https://www.cowichecanyon.org

I've taken afternoon walks in Cowiche Canyon a couple of times this week.  On Mon I walked in from the west end, but only got as far as bridge 4 because I ran into WTA trip reporters Bob & Barb and we chatted for probably 20 min or so.  What a treat!  Today I walked in from the east end as far as bridge 8.  The canyon has finally gotten colorful.  It could be good for another week or so unless the strong winds and very cold weather do a number on it.  Catch it while you can.