Umtanum Creek Canyon — Sunday, Apr. 29, 2012

Central Washington > Yakima

The canyon is lush and green with new growth and the flowers and bushes are beginning to bloom adding color to the area. A bull (?) snake sunning itself along the trail slithered away as we approached wanting nothing to do with us! Several cars were parked at the TH, but the trail never seemed crowded. We hiked a little over 2 miles to a grove of cottonwood trees beyond the campsite at the second creek crossing. Two years ago we saw several Lewis Woodpeckers nesting in the grove. We saw none today or last year when we visited the same grove. In 2 different areas we watched a Northern Harrier soar in circular patterns above us "talking" to us as if to say, "Leave! You're in my territory!" It would alternate between circling above us and landing on distant rocks or a tree at our eye level. Near the cottonwood grove Bob watched a 4 foot rattlesnake slither to a nearby sagebrush where it curled into a large ball! Apple blossoms were on the trees. Phacelia, lupine, Arrow-leaved balsamroot, lupine, larkspur, Oregon grape, meadow death camas, yellow and purple desert-parsley, and serviceberry were blooming. We found no ticks! :)!