Yakima Skyline Trail, Umtanum Ridge Crest — Friday, Nov. 26, 2021

I combined the Vista Trail (up Umptanum Creek Canyon to Umptanum Ridge Crest), Umptanum Road, and the Yakima Skyline Trail for a 15-mile one-way traverse of the YRC ridgeline.

I started at Umptanum Campground, crossed the river, and climbed Vista Trail (slight left after RR tracks) to the crest/Umptanum Road. Compact snow and small ice patches lingered in the shady areas in the canyon. After the trail leaves the canyon and climbs steeply to the crest, snow and mud combined for a bit of a slippery situation. Poles and aggressive trail runners were helpful. At Umptanum Ridge Road I took a sharp left (there's a little cairn). The road had small patches of snow, patchy mud, and a few deep puddles, but it was overall quite a pleasant surface and much preferable to summer dust. I saw two backpackers and an ORV in this section. 

After about three miles the Skyline Trail leaves the road and veers left toward the river. There was part of a cairn left here, but as the road continues straight ahead it could be an easy turn to miss. The route descends steeply and rockily, and I was once again thankful for poles. There was plenty of evidence of bighorn sheep, but sadly I saw none. 

After the trail bottoms out across from Big Pines Campground, it bumps up a little then crosses a meadow. The trail was a bit difficult to discern across the meadow, but fortunately a few well-placed metal stakes helped. At the far side of the meadow is a dry, rocky creek bed (Roza Creek, I think?). Even though I have done this route before, I struggled to find the trail on the far side of the creek, largely due to thick, tall grass and massive tumbleweed piles. Fortunately I had a GPS track and was able to find the route again fairly quickly.  

The trail climbs the ridge again after the meadow crossing—first gradually, then much more steeply as it approaches and follows the edge of the canyon. The ascent was close to three miles, but sunny, expansive views of the canyon in both directions helped. After the grade mellowed (above Ross Dam) the wind picked up a bit after a remarkably still day. I saw one trail runner and two hikers on this section, but strangely no other life at all!

The descent to the Buffalo Road TH was annoyingly rocky and slow, but it was much better (and possibly quicker) slightly damp than when it's dusty. 

No flowers this time of year, but the solitude and clean, arid views were marvelous. Total 15 miles one way, 4500' gain.