The weather report for Ellensburg today was partly sunny, low 50's, 20% chance of showers. Good enough for a return trip 3 weeks after our last visit on 4/13, and that's exactly the weather we got. Alternately sunny, cloudy, breezy, calm, warm, cool. The canyon is leafed out and trails will soon be overgrown, balsamroot is abundant, and other wildflowers are appearing. The homestead apple and cherry trees were in full bloom and full fragrance, as were the wonderful old serviceberries. Thanks to whoever laid the log bridges over the two main creek crossings. We walked 2 hours into the canyon, past suddenly giant lone ponderosa pines and across four talus slopes, following several large cairns to where the trail petered out at a high vista. Just before, my pole missed a rock and went instead into a crevice, and the next sound I heard was an insistent rattle. Oops. Several ticks joined us for lunch. However, these inconveniences were rewarded by the incredible high views of light and shadow and rocky relief, including looking *down* on a splendid great blue heron on a long flight high up-canyon right towards us. This place is amazing and every visit has new surprises. We saw a pair of kestrels copulating on a snag, a lone male bighorn sheep lying down on a ridge across the canyon (lucky sighting), and thousands and thousands of swallows both in the canyon and all along the Yakima on the way back to the freeway. Not really a trail report detail, but it was hard to stop grinning on the way home at having outsmarted the weather. The sky was spitting rain on our final mile out, and light hail began when we got to the parking lot at 2 pm. The skies lowered and we left a downpour behind us, slogged through rain and snow at the pass, and then got seriously wet on the west side. Ha.

The canyon is lush and green with new growth and the flowers and bushes are beginning to bloom adding color to the area. A bull (?) snake sunning itself along the trail slithered away as we approached wanting nothing to do with us! Several cars were parked at the TH, but the trail never seemed crowded. We hiked a little over 2 miles to a grove of cottonwood trees beyond the campsite at the second creek crossing. Two years ago we saw several Lewis Woodpeckers nesting in the grove. We saw none today or last year when we visited the same grove. In 2 different areas we watched a Northern Harrier soar in circular patterns above us "talking" to us as if to say, "Leave! You're in my territory!" It would alternate between circling above us and landing on distant rocks or a tree at our eye level. Near the cottonwood grove Bob watched a 4 foot rattlesnake slither to a nearby sagebrush where it curled into a large ball! Apple blossoms were on the trees. Phacelia, lupine, Arrow-leaved balsamroot, lupine, larkspur, Oregon grape, meadow death camas, yellow and purple desert-parsley, and serviceberry were blooming. We found no ticks! :)!

Plan was to hike up to Umtanum Falls from the Durr Road crossing of the creek. Once Durr Road passes the shooting grounds, it gets really, really rough as it descends to the creek. I damaged my Camry's muffler, so only higher clearance vehicles should attempt this drive. The creek is higher that usual since it's spring, so my car wouldn't be able to cross the creek. We parked before the creek (broken glass everywhere) and crossed it on foot. It took a minute to find the trail that leads off to the right. It is unmarked and not much of anything. I doubt to many hikers travel on this part of the trail. The trail is brushy and hard to follow at times, and pretty clear at other times. We set off in what sounded like a warzone because of the shooters on top of the hill. And right away we came across my first rattlesnake of the year. Yes, they are out, and this was a perfect habitat for them with all of the grass, brush, logs, and rocks. Watch your step! We probably made it halfway to the falls before a bush ahead of me hissed really loudly at us. I was willing to go around it since I can handle hiking with the rattlers. But my friends have never seen wild vipers until that day and wanted to turn back. It was probably a good idea since I am sure there were more snakes yet to come. Snakes are out, road is killer. If you want to hike up the Umtanum Canyon, start at the Yakima Canyon TH. For the falls, start at the Umtanum Road TH above the falls.

Beautiful, lush canyon floor stroll. Easy, so we brought our big pups. We got to see our first glimpse of the native cacti. Tiny, prickly little boogers. Birds everywhere, the plant life was thriving on the unique micro-climate and habitat of the canyon floor. Only thing I want to report otherwise is that there are some serious ticks out and about. We must have pulled 30-40 off our dogs when we got home. I even had one stuck in my armpit for crying out loud! Be careful with your dogs on this one.

Check "Bruces Walks" YouTube Channel for the side canyon route, a great direction to go in this location. Traveling to this location is coming from Ellensburg, the Kittitas Valley. The trail continues on for a good work out. Find Umtanum Creek Side Canyon Hike in the Yakima River Canyon near the bottom of the selections. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaeUkaZE9EQkKrIjGv_HGmA?feature=watch