The trail goes along the Tieton river with cute little bridges at intersections. It is almost flat, with the black stone-y gravel and plenty of wildflowers and very green all over. On the day we hiked, sun was bright adding to the warmth. The trail itself is around 3.5 miles out and back, but you can extend it by walking further along after you see the 'Bypass Bridge' board on the right. This will lead the trail closer to some people's backyards, without getting into their private territory. You can even hike up some of the hillocks for great views. We managed to make a 6 mile hike here. Be careful to not step on the wildflowers or deviate from the trail, but do take time to enjoy the river when it passes so close to the trail. There is dog-poop in places, so watch out.

Flowers prime. Thanks to Cowiche Canyon Conservancy for new signage that keeps one on the right path. There are many side trails made by hikers and bikers over the years that one can follow and explore as well but the signage has never been better. Many options that one can take, with visions full of volcanoes and wildflowers. GO NOW! Flowers: beginning of balsamroot, whitlow grass, desert parsley (yellow and chocolate), prairie stars, sagebrush violets, grass widows, goldstars, yellow bells.

I had heard that the wildflowers were out at the Cowiche Canyon Uplands, so my wife, Karen, & I took a walk up there on this sunny, mild afternoon. It was truly spectacular! I don't think I have never seen it better. There were masses of Gold Star, Grass Widows, & Draba verna (Spring Whitlow Grass) along with Violets, Canby's Desert Parsley, Yellow Bells, Foothills Onion, & the rare Tauschia hooveri. I have never seen the Draba verna so thick in my life and the grass widows were mostly in bunches of 5 or 6 blooms or more. There were lots of other people, especially families, out enjoying the show. Catch it while you can.

Just a quick report - I tried out the Summitview Trailhead of the Cowiche Canyon trail system. It is about 5 miles west of Yakima, just before you get to the top of the hill. Watch for it on the right - it's easy to pass right by (see pictures). I did the Radio Flyer Loop, then jumped on the Summitview South Loop on the way back. I think total 3-3.5 miles, around 90 minutes. Trails were muddy in places due to the rain, but small flowers starting to appear - purples and yellows. Just a beautiful place to be, even on a rainy day. These trails are great for walkers, trail runners and kids - it's relatively flat once you get up to the main trails. Boots were helpful (due to the mud), I didn't even use my poles. These trails are NOT good for people looking to escape humanity - I didn't see anyone, but you see signs of people all along the way. Houses, fences, and along part of the Radio Flyer Loop, you wander near a big garbage heap. I pretended it was an anthropological site, that seemed to help. Also probably NOT good on a July afternoon. Perfect on a cloudy March one like today, but very little shade, so you would bake in the summer. But trails are nice and wide - good if you are afraid of snakes in the summer. None of that "wading through tall grass" business. Trails were well marked, but it was handy to have a map in my pocket. Here's a link if you want to print your own: http://www.cowichecanyon.org/docs/Uplands%20Map%20COLOR%202016%20new.pdf All in all, a great escape - just what I needed as I face my 7th graders the week before Spring Break!

Entire trail covered in snow and some compact ice at some points. Overall in good condition, but be careful!