This lovely canyon hike has something to offer in all seasons. Today on this warm sunny day it was the breeze that blew through the canyon, the scent of sagebrush and the opportunity to observe and photograph a variety of butterflies that make this canyon their home. We had the trail mostly to ourselves passing a few hikers and a youth group. The majority of people that parked in the overflowing parking lot were here to float the Yakima River. With campsites along the river you could spend a summer weekend hiking and floating.

Nice Fourth of July hike in the eighties. Brought our dog with us. The canyon is wide at the confluence with the Yakima with a flat bottom and high basalt cliffs and bluffs on the sides. To find the trail after crossing the suspension bridge, go under the railroad tracks and to the left (south) along the tracks. The trail is signed. It says the trail is closed at 3 point something miles. We figure we went about 3 miles. We didn't reach an official closure point but the last three quarters mile was a serious bushwack so we called it good. Lots of signs of beaver activity there. There is a real nice flat camp site on the creek at about two miles in a grove of trees. A small owl with bright yellow eyes was perched on a big log there and let us get quite close. It just blinked at us indifferently. As previous reports indicated, this hike is a real tick fest so do a thorough search when you get back to your car before leaving. My wife found at least seven in her hair. A pretty hike all in all.

Great hike, all the way to the end and past, I dont recomend going to much further, to much brush and I brought a tick home. Lots of wildflowers and butterflys, also saw 4 mountain goats and a low flying hawk. Great day hike, Definetly go,look for the fruit trees. Pooring in western wa, 85 degrees and sunny here!!!

PLEASE READ- THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE OR YOUR HIKE ** it was memorial day weekend 2012 and we were planning on an overnight hike. we got about 4 miles into Umtanum Canyon when we passed a couple walking back. they mentioned how it got a little bottle necked up ahead but they did fine. we had 3 dogs and 3 people. about 5 mins after talking to the couple we stumbled upon a rattle snake. this was not pleasant. when it all happened my freinds dog was positioned between me and the snake; me being 3 feet away and the dog being 1 foot away. Rattler struck multiple times but the dog dodged, then lunged in. snake wheeled around and bit dog on the throat. i ended it with a machete, but after 2 more close calls on the other 2 dogs. Dog that was bit survived, but we saw 5 MORE RATTLERS ON THE WAY OUT!!! not uch to see in this canyon and it is a very easy walk. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS please be aware of the dangers of rattle snakes. when we went it was hot weather and the snakes were funneled down into the canyon through the rocks on all sides to find shelter. keep the weather and time of year in mind. Please be careful, it was not a fun experience.

Lovely sunny day with a slight breeze made hiking a delight. Once we got beyond the holiday beer swigging campers, the trail was fine. Many wildflowers in bloom. The balsam root flowers were just beyond their peak but many other wildflowers were in full bloom. We did not observe any big horned sheep but noted a lot of bird activity, alas no binoculars so birding was limited for us. I did see other birders with spotting scopes. Easy hike, nice flowers and good weather. You would think I have nothing to complain about. Ticks, ticks, and more TICKS! We removed several from ourselves and about 30 from the dog. That sure gave me the willys. Just remember tick check. One other note we received a warning ticket from the ranger stating that discovery passes are not valid in the parking lot.