I did what that Cascadian group did the week before. I hiked up the steep trail on the north side of the creek mouth to the top of that hill. I didn't go all the way to the bigger hill to the south like they did, though. The trail is easy to follow at first but then fades away. So you get to choose your route to the top. You may see occasional cairns. Balsalmroot and lupine was spectacular although it is already past its peak, so hurry if you still want to hike around here! The bitterroot is still blooming nicely. I luckily didn't encounter any rattlers but I know they are there, so be careful!

Herd of bighorn sheep seen up on the rocks in the canyon. 1 big ram and several females. Plenty of blooming wildflowers: lupine & balsamroot on the trail going up to Umtanum Ridge, oregon grape & miner's lettuce on the canyon floor; also lilacs and apple blossoms by the old settler's homestead. I didn't see any snakes, but other hikers reported seeing one or two.

I'm new to adding trip reports, but not new to WTA. My focus is more on providing users with some images of what they might see rather than focus so much on the actual trails. I'll be providing brief trail notes going forward, but also some good images. This trail is under-rated and also listed as "Yakma River Canyon" which is incorrect. The directions from other user reports under that designation are correct, though. This trail is short - ca. 1 mile each way, but quite steep. Some srambling is required, but nothing too difficult. The views are good from the start and improve as you go up. For those lookin ros something longer, this hike could be combined with Baldy Mountain for a strenuous day or with Umtanum Creek Canyon for a relaxing second hike. Both are nearby. On this day I doubled up by going to Umtanum Creek Canyon and scrambling up a side wall about 1/2 mile into the Canyon. Saw one rattlesnake.

Please be careful of rattlesnakes. Our family encountered three on the first mile of the path last Friday. If you go, please prepare for the possibility by learning how to react if you encounter a rattlesnake (I think you're supposed to freeze and slowly back away -- they will strike out of fear or anger if they feel threatened). Keep your eyes on the path so you don't accidentally step on one. We had a great time though! We saw lots of beaver dams and wildflowers, and the suspension bridge is fun to walk over. Given the number of rattlesnakes we saw, I would be cautious about bringing small children or pets on this hike (although I've never been before and maybe it's just the time of year).

On our way home from Walla Walla Matt & Kirk & Sylvie & I drove the Yakima Canyon Road (821) & hiked Umtanum Creek. Both provided a wonderful chance to view the amazing geology of the Yakima Canyon, and the creek hike allowed us to see the riparian area budding out and the wildflowers in bloom. Headed across the Yakima River on a bounciful, beautiful, and fun suspension bridge, crossed under the railroad tracks, and found our trail heading up the left side of the creek. We delighted in the flowering brush, budding willows and Cottonwood, and rich birdsong surrounding us. At about a mile we passed through old fenceposts and twisted apple trees at a long-abandoned homesite. We lost count of the many current and abandoned beaver dams we saw along the way; about half a mile past the old homestead we crossed the creek handily on some human-piled logs. The wildflowers were especially abundant on this side of the creek: Balsamroot, Lupine, Larkspur, Phlox, stunning displays of Oregon Grape, Red Oisier Dogwood, Sticky Currant, and tons of a flowering brush that I think was Mock Orange (native). I also saw several lily-like plants almost in full bloom that I think may have been Death Camas. (Clearly I need to take a plant identification course!) Stopped for lunch and admired bluebirds flitting among the aspen and poplars in front of us; continued on for another mile to a point where the creek had severely undercut the trail and the hillside was steep and decided to call it a hike. Turned around and made our way back, taking almost as many photographs on the way out as the way in. What a delightful, 5 mile round trip, spring excursion!