Umtanum Creek Canyon — Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2017

Central Washington > Yakima

The last several trip reports for this hike describe the Umtanum Ridge Crest hike or the social trail up the north canyon ridge, not the Umtanum Creek trail. Crossing the bridge and going under the railroad tracks, the trail will bear right to follow the creek back into the canyon. The trail is brushy, braided, and overgrown in spots, almost down to a game trail in places. About .8 miles in I came to the first stream crossing, which was about 15' across and 2-3' at the deepest. This may or may not be the proper location, but it didn't seem any easier a few hundred feet up or down the creek bank. I wasn't in the mood to get wet and pushed about 1/4 mile further on the south side hoping to reconnect but the brush became unpassable. There was a cool little side canyon with a waterfall and some bones, as well as a view of the trail on the other side of the creek. Would like to come back sometime and sort out the proper place to cross, or just sack up and get wet.