Umtanum Creek Canyon — Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019

One of my favorite hikes and one that seldom disappoints.  The fall colors have mostly gone but there are still interesting colors and textures, what with the sage, lichen,  and red-twigged dogwood.  Also excellent rock formations.    I started the hike around 9am and it was very peaceful. On weekends you will have to contend with gun sounds as people target shoot up the canyon and the sound travels well and definitely impacts the experience for a hiker.  Had to cross the creek many times but it's low enough now that it isn't a problem. Was able to follow the orange blazes most of the way.  I hiked up to where the trail is closed.  I suspect that beyond there, you would mostly be on game trails anyway.  Got to visit a new beaver dam going in but no beavers present. I've always wanted to camp at the trailhead and see this hike at dawn and dusk but given the number of RVs with their generators running, that might not be so nice either.