Umtanum Creek Canyon — Wednesday, May. 8, 2024

After setting up camp at Big Pines CG in Yakima Canyon, we had time for a short meander in Umtanum Canyon. We went only to the first creek crossing. It was 4:30 when we arrived at the TH on this very hot day and we saw only one other hiker and his dog who arrived the same time as we did.Yellow desert parsley, whitetop, lupine, yarrow, a purple mustard, yellow mustard and apple blossoms were the only flowers seen and, except for whitetop, they were very few in number. Several yellow-dumped warblers and a few turkey vultures were the only birds seen or heard. A few people were camped at the CG.