Short hike with 3 kids ages 4, 6, and 9. Went about 1/2 mile after crossing the bridge. A previous trip report said this was a harder hike with a much more significant grade. However, that hiker took a different trail. Once you have crossed the river and gone under the railroad tracks you will come to an information kiosk (see picture). At this point there is a fork in the trail. Take the left trail and you climb up into the hills. Take the right trail and you follow Umtanum Creek at a nice gentle grade.

This trail is stated as "easy" but I would definitely give it at least an intermediate level. I'm not sure if it was from the heat, but I definitely feel that this is more than a 500 elevation gain. I was feeling it. I ran into another lady who said she thought it was 2000? Who knows. Beautiful hike! Left the trailhead at 12, and after the train tracks it was a constant climb. Like other reports have noted- some parts of the trail are fairly overgrown, but it always clears up. Did see any snakes, but was definitely aware and listening for their rattle. Lots of bugs, noticed cicadas & grasshoppers the most. I chose to wear long pants & sturdy boots after seeing that ticks were an issue on this trail. I didn't use my hiking poles on the way up, but certainly my preferred them on the way down. Many steep parts with loose dirt & gravel. Was slipping even with my poles. I don't think I actually made it to the end... Stopped on the top of a hill where a man made old fence was posted up. Arrived there about an hour & 10 mins after I started hiking. Ate my lunch & starred at the beautiful view, then headed back down around 1:40. Definitely recommence this hike, just make sure you are hydrated & ready for some heavy heat.

This trail is stated as "easy" but I would definitely give it at least an intermediate level. I'm not sure if it was from the heat, but I definitely feel that this is more than a 500 elevation gain. I was feeling it. I ran into another lady who said she thought it was 2000? Who knows. Beautiful hike! Left the trailhead at 12, and after the train tracks it was a constant climb. Like other reports have noted- some parts of the trail are fairly overgrown, but it always clears up. Did see any snakes, but was definitely aware and listening for their rattle. Lots of bugs, noticed cicadas & grasshoppers the most. I chose to wear long pants & sturdy boots after seeing that ticks were an issue on this trail. I didn't use my hiking poles on the way up, but certainly my preferred them on the way down. Many steep parts with loose dirt & gravel. Was slipping even with my poles. I don't think I actually made it to the end... Stopped on the top of a hill where a man made old fence was posted up. Arrived there about an hour & 10 mins after I started hiking. Ate my lunch & starred at the beautiful view, then headed back down around 1:40. Definitely recommence this hike, just make sure you are hydrated & ready for some heavy heat.

I decided to make the drive over the pass to have a look at the Yakima River canyon and Umtanum Creek, and the two hours behind the wheel were definitely worth it. What a beautiful canyon; a great contrast for this west-side hiker more used to moss-covered trees and dripping forests. I arrived around 8:30 in the morning and had the trail to myself the whole way. Just took a slow walk, listening to all the varied bird calls, watching butterflies, snapping pix of the many blooms still out. It was a warm, though somewhat cloudy day, and I went about three miles in before pausing for a snack and turning around. The trail is somewhat overgrown in places, but if you just press through, it clears out again soon just about every time. The first creek crossing was a little tricky, in that it took a while to find the trail again on the other side. I just took my time following the light tracks in a few directions and kept close to the creek and eventually got back on the main track. If you stay close to the creek, you won't have trouble. Spotted a couple of snakes, but neither one rattled at me (I had a good look at the tail of the bigger one, and it didn't appear to be a rattler), they just wanted to get out of my way! I surprised a family of wild turkeys on the way out...they were about three feet off the trail in tall grass when I came by. Believe me, that was when I jumped! What a flurry. Bugs weren't too bad, lots of bees interested in the flowers, causing no problems for me. I did discover one tick on my leg when I got home, ugh! Managed to get the little sucker out using the tweezer method. All in all, this was a great day hike.

Hiked in about 3 miles, found a nice site near the creek. Beautiful canyon with lovely groves of trees and areas of tall grass. Heard rattlers and saw other types of snakes. Look for beaver dams. Variety of raptors overhead. Heard some persistent cat-like sounds at dawn. Beautiful easy hike/backpack. Low traffic mid-week. Nice area for photographers. No ticks!