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.

Ethan, Brenda, Jonah, Karen, & I walked up Umtanum Canyon on this clear, sunny day.  It was mild in the sun, but cool in the shade.  We took the trail to the right at the fork just past a flat-topped boulder.  This is the main trail and takes you over to an easy creek crossing.  There was a blow-down just before the creek, but it didn't pose much of an obstacle.  Just across the creek there are a number of apple trees and a pear tree at the site of the old homestead.  They were loaded with fruit and we found quite a few that did not have much insect damage.  We continued up the canyon to where the creek makes an S curve (about 3.5 miles from the suspension bridge) and climbed into the sun for lunch.  While us old folks ate and enjoyed the sun, Brenda & Jonah, youngsters that they are, climbed to the top of the ridge and back.  Afterwards, we made our way back the way we had come.  By this time the bottom of the canyon was mostly in shade.  The color in the canyon was well past its peak.  Thanks to the winds we've had that last couple of days, the shrubs and perhaps 60% of the trees had lost their leaves.  As the photos show, however, there were still plenty of places with nice color.  The trail is overgrown in places, especially beyond the 3rd crossing, but here there was lots of orange flagging and we didn't have much difficulty finding our way.  And you have to remember, the canyon is on WDFW land and the trail is not a "formal" trail.  It is just a boot trail that has had extensive use for decades.  The only maintenance it receives is from the boots that walk it (though years ago WTA did do some work on a section of trail just before the 3rd crossing).  Other than a party of Mountaineers, we didn't see many other hikers until we were almost back to the cars.  But high on the south side of the canyon we did see a lot of crows, magpies, and a coyote working on a carcass.

A sea of gold up at Umtanum Creek Canyon. 

Swinging suspension bridge, rambling river, groves of apple trees, a chattering creek and remnant of an old homestead ~ but the show stopper was the glow of the young Aspens along the canyon floor.  

Easy 5-10 mile trail for all fitness levels. Will definitely go back in the spring for the wildflower display.

The main trail is a bit tricky to follow, even with the GPS map ~ but don’t give up, that’s half the adventure! We stayed to stay to the RIGHT after the message board (heading left leads you up a steep ridge) and RIGHT again at the first fork in the road about 3/4 of a mile in. There are many small boot paths leading off to the left for a closer look at the basalt walls, but these are not the main trail.  

The best write up I could find about this trail, if you are looking for additional info ~ 

https://www.myellensburg.com/hiddentreasures/umtanumcreek/

A little late on the fall colors but still some nice textures and colors to be had. Trail is a bit difficult to follow as there are many. I ended up taking a different way back. Bumper crop of apples this year, some are pretty tasty though most have added protein. I made it 3.5 miles up the canyon then turned around. Followed orange blazes for the last mile or so. Creek is very low so not much trouble crossing. Aspen groves were good spots to see woodpeckers. Both Hairy and Downy. It was pretty cold when I started out but when the sun had time to heat things up, the snakes came out. I only saw one but others saw a couple more.

PS. I may have lost a Black Diamond hiking pole along the trail. Would love to get it back! Thanks!

Today I set out for an off trail adventure to create a loop that incorporates the Umtanum Creek trail with the North Ridge Trail.  

You can see the very steep route that ascends the north ridge from the parking area.  It gains 800 feet in just 0.4 miles. Once on the ridge the terrain is fairly flat as it follows a old jeep road that heads in a northwest direction.  At about 2 miles I headed off trail to the west. I traversed the first side canyon and descended into the larger second side canyon.  This off trail route was somewhat challenging due to lots of loose talus and brushy conditions in the bottom of the valley.  I had to side hill several times to avoid the brush.  

A fairly large rattlesnake in the brush let me know of his presence with a loud sustained rattle.  After this I was a bit paranoid as there are several other brushy sections that can't be avoided. Fortunately I did not encounter any more rattlesnake. I was also happy that there were no cliffs or exposed areas to negotiate on the route down to Umtanum Creek. 

Once I was back on the main Creek trail I headed up valley to enjoy the Cottonwoods and Aspens that are mostly at their peak fall color now.   The Umtanum Creek trail is very brushy and there are lots of thorny plants.  I recommend long pants and long sleeves. It is also sometimes difficult to find the easiest route.