Could only go back about 2 miles to a point where the trail was overgrown with thorned bushes on one side and the other route was washed out due to the melting snow.

Trail is washed out in a few spots, massively overgrown in another, and a lil muddy overall. The creek has most definitely jumped its bank a few times this spring! Flowers and trees are starting to show buds, but probably a couple more weeks until its really in full spring color. Great hike to do with little ones, lots of flat open areas for them to tottle along. Watch out on the bridge tho! My 18mth could have easilyjumped off, just kept her on my back for that part!

In search of sun on a stormy Sunday, we made the long drive to the desert climate of Umtanum Canyon. Mission Accomplished, for the most part! The weather was blustery and partly cloudy, but not bad. Long intervals of sun warmed heart and soul. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Yakima River, we headed up the canyon, then shortly veered left onto the trail climbing toward the top of Umtanum ridge. This route follows an old jeep trail that climbs briskly up a side canyon. The seasonal creek in the side canyon was running with a good flow, forming some charming waterfalls where it dropped over ledges of lava. Higher up, the trail levels out in a hanging valley. There were patches of icy snow and mud there, nothing too difficult to cross. Grass was beginning to sprout in the meadows, but spring flowers are still a long way off. The trail eventually crosses the seasonal creek, then climbs swiftly up a small drainage. There is one section of bad mud along a shaded stretch; I would recommend going cross country up the ridge on the other side of the drainage to avoid the mud. We stopped short of going to the top of Umtanum Ridge due to high wind and lingering snow. Instead, we stopped for a long lunch in a wind sheltered spot and enjoyed the broad view to the east and north. Then we headed back down by the same route. It is still winter by the calender, but spring is definitely beginning to arrive in the big sky country of Eastern Washington.

Plenty of people walking the trail today, but the open nature of the trail kept it from feeling crowded. Water crossings were hit and miss, with heavy flow making many areas a pretty soak-tastic ordeal. As long as your prepared for hiking in Winter, though, it was more than fine.

The trail and surrounding area has some old snow that is well crusted over. The trail is easy to follow and is packed down snow and ice. It's flat and easy enough to follow and even without micro-spikes of any type, it wasn't very slippery. I hiked the trail with 3 kids from ages 5-11 and all enjoyed it. Kids will enjoy the creek, walking over the footbridge, going under the railroad tracks and seeing animal tracks in the snow. We'll be heading back in the spring to explore further when the days are longer and the snow has melted away.