Umtanum Creek Canyon — Monday, Dec. 11, 2023

Ethan, Brenda, Karen, & I took a walk up Umtanum Canyon today.  Only one of the outhouses was open at the trailhead, but it was well stocked with TP.  We walked up the canyon to the second crossing, but the logs across the creek had snow on them so we decided not to risk a slip into the creek and walked back a little ways down the canyon and then up a gentle slope to a lunch spot looking up & down the canyon.  We stayed our usual hour or so & then headed back.  The day started out pretty cloudy, but it cleared up some about noon.  There was maybe 1/4 inch of snow on the trail, but we did fine without traction devices.  There has been quite a bit of maintenance on the trail since I was here last and the trail was easy to follow and there were no blow downs to negotiate.  Thanks to whoever did this.  We didn't see any other hikers nor any wildlife in the canyon, but we did see a number of bald eagles and a couple of big horn sheep as we drove through the Yakima Canyon.