East Rim Waterworks Canyon — Tuesday, May. 22, 2012

Central Washington > Yakima

I finally, after a dozen attempts with companions unfamiliar with the trail, figured out how to reach the ridge from Waterworks Canyon... but not until AFTER I scrambled up the steep and rocky hillside (and after looking at least one snake in the eye, whilst clambering on all fours amongst loose rocks, all the while testing my balance). A number of us scaled the hill (never finding the trail) towards the low saddle on the right from the canyon below. We had heard that once you reach the ridge it was smooth sailing to the top of Mt. Clemans. We spied a faint trail heading up the ridge. It wasn't until the trek down and at the saddle did I finally see the trail from the canyon to the saddle. From my vantage point, I could see a faint, though fairly established trail. It was marked with a sizeable cairn at the saddle, and angled down and deeper into the canyon from where we left it to climb the hillside. It was a straight shot, crossing some rockslides and disappearing into brushy areas here and there, but it appeared an obvious route. It was worth a try... anything to avoid the treacherous descent of that crazy steep hillside. It took minutes to follow the path down, and to my surprise the bottom was also marked with a sizeable cairn (though difficult to spy unless you were looking for it). Thank you to whomever built these cairns!!! Now I will know how to make the summit from this ridge... putting an end to my frustrations with guessing. Even if you just reach the saddle, the views are amazing and the bitterroot is always worth the effort.