Umtanum Ridge Crest — Sunday, Apr. 28, 2024

We left Seattle at 3 am to escape the rain and catch the sunrise. And we sure did catch a stunning sunrise. Starting this early also allowed us to have the trail all to ourselves. It was still chilly, and clouds started to roll in the higher we got. But we were still able to catch a glimpse of Mt Adams and the Stuart range from the ridge. Wildflowers are exploding on the hills, and I'd highly recommend reading AlpsDayTripper's detailed trip report from April 24. Nothing more I could add when it comes to Fauna & Flora. A few other things: you can use your card to pay for a day pass/overnight/camping pass. The drive along Canyon Road is a beautiful one. Many other great areas to stop at & explore, including a restaurant with outdoor seating (with a view of the Yakima river). Poles on the trail are helpful as it gets fairly steep and slippery when it's either too dry or too wet. Happy hiking!