Umtanum Creek Canyon — Wednesday, May. 1, 2019

I was in need of some trail therapy, so I headed for Yakima Canyon.  The Umptanum canyon is now much greener than the previous report by PL.  The riparian thickets were alive with Yellow-rumped Warblers and Goldfinches. After the first 1/2 mile, the trail has been re-routed to the west. One branch climbs and follows some flagging low on a scree slope.  Not a problem for young bucks, but a hazard for old geezers like me with decreased balance. Another branch goes through thickets that could use a good brushing out, then briefly follows a better trail on the scree slope.  This entire trail "system" is sorely in need of some WTA-caliber trail work. Came to a funky log creek crossing and decided I didn't need a bath quite yet, so turned back.  Still, a therapeutic 5 hours and 31 species of birds. Many neotropical migrants have not arrived yet, a return trip in two weeks would be very birdy. Birds of the day: Lazuli Bunting and Nashville Warbler. Mammal of the day: dripping wet beaver on the trail. No rattlesnakes and no ticks (at least so far). It was a good day.