Type of Hike
Day hike
I started early in the morning in an attempt to avoid the traffic (this is a pretty popular path for Yakima residents). There are actually three trailheads for the canyon, one at either end of the canyon itself, and one up next to the Bureau of Land Management land at about half way through, accessible via the "Skyline Trail". I would recommend doing a through hike if you're in a party (leaving a car at both ends of the trail). Also make sure to hike up the skyline trail and then loop around in the meadow above the canyon, there is a good half-dozen trails that cut across the BLM land up there, and you'll find most of the flowers in that area.
The trail itself is an old railroad, extremely well maintained, and easy to hike. I took a couple of side trails which added up to about 1000 ft. worth of climbing. The side trails are also well maintained. It was a good day-hike.
On my way back to the car I passed several groups (one of about 30 kids), and several walker/runners with dogs not on leashes (though they were all well-trained). I will probably go back to run it as it's an easy, level 6 mile trip, but it's not a "hike".
East Trailhead: http://g.co/maps/zpdmn (I prefer this one to the West End linked on this page)
Skyline Trailhead: http://g.co/maps/cvdqa
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