Umtanum Creek Canyon — Thursday, May. 8, 2014

Central Washington > Yakima

I took a short 2.5 mile RT stroll up Umtanum creek after finishing my hike up Rattlesnake Dance Ridge (6 miles up the road). The hike starts on an impressive suspension bridge that crosses the Yakima river. Maddy would have no part of that bridge so back to the car for her. There are trails on both sides of the Umtanum river so a loop can be made. At 1.2 miles there is a side canyon to the north where you can ascend a ridge line a few hundred feet to get a nice view of Umtanum canyon. Lots of beaver dams on the creek. This is a great little desert oasis. It started raining as I got back to my car at 2pm. I love that smell of the desert when it rains. The area was very dry so I hope gets a good soaking.