Ethan, Karen Martinis, & I headed off to Umtanum Canyon on this cloudy, mild day despite an iffy weather forecast (60% chance of rain after 11). The first creek crossing was a little confusing due to the effects of a spring flood, but the creek is low enough that we didn't have any problem crossing & finding our way back to the main trail. We hiked a little ways beyond the 2nd creek crossing, then backtracked and climbed to our usual lunch spot on a buttress above the canyon. The hike up the canyon was beautiful in the bright, diffuse light: gold & russet grasses, gray-green sagebrush & rabbitbrush, and color coming on in the shrubs & trees. We stayed on the buttress for almost an hour, but about 1:15 we felt a few drops of rain and started back. A light rain started in earnest about 2:00, but we didn't have far to go at that point. We saw only 3 other parties of hikers & no wildlife. It was beautiful in the canyon & will only get better over the next couple of weeks.

We hiked up the canyon about 2 miles and then set up camp, crossing paths with three rattlesnakes on the trail before arriving at our camp site. After setting up camp we hiked up the trail a couple more miles and didn't see any more snakes for the rest of the weekend. We didn't make it far enough up the creek to see the waterfall. We saw some deer, presumably trying to eat apples from the apple trees which hung heavy with ripe fruit. There are also walnut trees in the valley that were planted years ago by a homesteader. The creek was running pretty low but still had enough water in it that we could filter water or wash dishes. It looked like some fall colors were starting to come into the area.

As others mentioned, there is a fork after going under the railroad and the left fork goes up the canyon wall. Go right for the canyon trail, which follows the creek. There are a couple creek crossings which were easy since the creek is so low, but we did lose the trail a couple times and had to backtrack. The trail is overgrown in several areas so you have to push grasses and branches aside. On the way we didn't encounter any snakes, but on the way back, we came across 7 snakes; we think most were rattlesnakes, including an especially long one. The snakes were in the middle of the trail making us nervous to pass, especially when one coiled up watching us right next to the trail. After nudging it with a long stick at a distance it slithered away but after encountering two more and almost stepping on one right on the trail, we decided to follow the creek bed instead of the trail for a while. After a while we met up with the tail again but were nervous and cautious the rest of the way. Without boots or heavy pants, I wouldn't do this trail again. Too close for comfort for me. Glad we had trekking poles to tap the ground in front of us especially when the trail was narrow and overgrown.

I took the left fork up the steeper canyon and eventually to the top of the ridge, excellent views of the Stuart Range and Kittitas Valley from the top.

This was a pit stop on my way home to Shoreline from Goldendale. I've wanted to hike this trail so it was a perfect half way spot to stretch the legs with the dog. One thing to know is when you cross the bridge go under the railroad tracks turn left and then go right and you'll come to a trail sign. This is the fork in the road that determines what trail you want to do. Easy is straight behind the sign. Harder up into the hills go left. I choose the easy way. The minor obstacles along the way is keeping track of the trail. About a mile in I crossed the creek, thanks to a couple who pointed the way, and proceeded to go another mile. I could have kept going another mile and a half but already I bushwhacked enough for the day. Very overgrown in places but doable as long as you go the correct way, which appears from other trip reports and other people I met on the trail today, is a problem. It was a great hike other than keeping track of the trail. I was really hoping to see Big Horn Sheep but all I saw was a huge deer I scared. Next time I'll try the other trail and go up higher in the hills. I'm glad it wasn't too hot today otherwise I'm sure the hike would have been worse, especially for the dog. I'll be coming back to this hike, especially when the wildflowers are out.