What a beautiful area for a spring hike! I made this into a loop hike, crossing the bridge and going went up the vista trail, at the top following the road west to the intersection with Old Durr Road, headed down the abandoned road to the Umtanum Creek, and followed the creek back to the trailhead.
Vista Trail and Ridge: The Vista Trail ascends steadily, when I started I wasn't sure about taking the trail that ascends to follow the bluff above the Yakima River, but others on the trail recommended the Vista Trail as nicer. So glad I took this route! The trail is in good shape, rocky and uneven in parts, but just climbs pretty steadily. At the top today there were great views of the Stuart Range, Rainier, and Adams. Really beautiful. The road along the ridge is nice, too. Windy and chilly, but the wildflowers were in bloom and views were good. I saw no one after the Vista Trail until I got to the established trail along the creek, definitely less hiked. I hiked town the abandoned road starting at the intersection of Old Durr Road and Umtanum Ridge Road, and that was nicer than taking Durr Road since it has mostly reverted to trail conditions. Some signs of the past fire, but everything grassy is growing back.
Umtanum Creek: I picked up the Durr Road from the abandoned road just as it descends to Umtanum Creek, then headed east along the creek. Gaia shows the trail starting after about 1/2 mile and I thought I would pick it up there. Well, it was bushwhacking for about 1.5 or 2 miles before I picked up what could be called a trail. Routefinding wasn't a problem since you just follow the creek and it's in a canyon, but it's a mix of brushy, mucky, and rocky to get through. Not horrible this time of year, typical bushwhacking, but definitely not a trail. Later in the season it would be tough, and I wouldn't do it in a storm because there are enough burned trees to be concerned about deadfall. Yesterday I was crossing rock fields where I could for a while, but then I came across a rattlesnake and thought I would stick to the brush closer to the stream instead. Once the trail started it was easy going, so starting at the trailhead and heading immediately along the stream the trail is good and you'll know where the trail ends. As I reached the trailhead for the creek I realized why the western part of the trail hasn't been maintained -- it's closed after 3.25 miles "to protect sensitive wildlife" along that section. No sign approaching from the west so I didn't realize that. I'd be curious what they're protecting. Because of that the route I took shouldn't be one to follow, I guess.
All in all a great spring hike!
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