We spent 4 1/2 hours enjoying the fall colors in the canyon. When we arrived at the Weikle Road TH at 11:25, there were no other cars in the parking lot.  We saw 2 canyon wrens and only one posed for a picture! The aspen grove near the East TH were especially beautiful. The West side of the grove was golden while the East side was mostly green! We found a nice lunch spot along the creek along the trail around the missing bridges. The highlight of our day was meeting and talking to David Hagen, mytho-man.

I went to Snow Mountain Ranch early this morning. It wasn't particularly interesting so I decided to visit Cowiche Canyon on the way home. I parked at the Weikel Road trailhead which I haven't done for a few years. I normally park at the higher entrance and approach the canyon from one of the upland trails. 

In mid to late morning the sun was hitting the canyon and lighting up the fall foliage. The rock formations were extremely beautiful and unique. The canyon path is flat and easy. I didn't go up to the higher trails today due to time constraints. It was sunny, warm and perfect for a short hike in a picturesque canyon. 

Nuts, I thought I had the timing right to see some fall color today, but I drove all the way from Seattle to Yakima for muted colors, with a few bright flashes on the nature trail, and more on Hiway 12 on the way home the closer I got to White Pass.

I'm posting pictures of Cowiche Canyon trees and bushes just to give you an idea of how close it is to showing it's best and brightest. No photos of my walk along the Tieton River, but it was pretty much same-same. I suggest waiting for a few more days, hopefully one of the local residents will let us know when things are at their peak.

Still, it was in the 60s and mostly sunny on the east side, and I was out in the woods, can't complain.

I've taken afternoon walks in Cowiche Canyon the last couple of days.  Yesterday I went in from the east end and walked up a little ways past bridge 8.  Today I went in from the west end and walked a little ways past bridge 5.  The fall color is coming on, but there is still a lot of green in the trees & shrubs.  It's turning later than usual.  Last year at this time it was approaching its peak.  It will get better, but this has been such a strange year who knows how good will get.  Today I saw a ring-necked snake on the trail.  This is only the second time I have seen one, the other being in the same place a few days ago.  They are long (8 - 12 in), but thinner than a pencil.

Cowiche Canyon is really more of a walk, as it's flat.  There were little glimpses of fall color here and there. My dog loved getting into the river. 

It is a hike up to Wilridge Winery (and back down after having some wine), so I would recommend parking at the winery and then hiking a loop from there. They have signage to Cowiche Canyon from the winery. They had a food truck at the winery so we grabbed dinner there. There's an adjacent apple orchard.