This hike is spectacularly beautiful BUT it's so overgrown we turned back after a couple miles! We were disappointed because we'd hiked this the prior year and while it was overgrown then, too, it wasn't nearly so bad. Some rattlesnakes along the way - keep an eye and ear out and you're okay. If this trail gets maintained, it would be a real gem of a hike with gorgeous shrubs, wildflowers, occasional creek crossings/encounters, and views of the cliffs on both sides of you as you hike through the canyon. The hike also goes through some former burns that are recovering, and the black dead trees in contrast with the new growth is so eerie and beautiful. And, if you're down for some serious bushwhacking, then you just might enjoy this hike in its current state anyway :) Our group: 5 adults in our late 20s and early 30s. Note to self: Hiked with Ian, Amanda, Allie, Julian

Took the first trail left toward Yakima skyline trail. It is a steady up and a bit rocky and loose.
There was water in some places.
Views were spectacular at the one mile mark! That’s where I stopped to enjoy the weather moving over the Kittitas valley.

Drove in from the north end of Durr Road. The road is rough especially the portion that drops to Umtanum Creek. High clearance is definitely recommended. The view from this road of the Stuart range and Mt Rainier are spectacular.We hiked first upstream toward the waterfall but only made it about .5 mls just past a feeder creek before the trail became  hard to follow. We then hiked downstream where the trail was more distinct though more of an animal trail than a true well worn trail. The trail follows the south side of the creek and about .5mls we crossed over to the north side as the canyon walls close in on the south side. We continued almost another .5 mls where we could see the trail from the Yakima River trailhead on the south side. Decided not to cross as the climb out of the river and up to trail was a very steep bank possible to do but a definite scramble. As a point of reference we were downstream of the power lines and where the canyon narrows in on both side. Be aware rattlesnakes are out as we heard one so diverted uphill. We also found one tick not attached - the hazard of bushwhacking in this area. Due to the water this is a bird mecca! Saw many yellow rumped warblers, canyon wren,woodpecker,ruby crowned kinglet,swallows, and a kingfisher. Turkey vulture and harrier hunting seen on drive in. Many more seen but unidentified. Lots of gray's desert parsley, chocolate tips, sagebrush buttercups, and camas flowers soon will be blooming. There is primitive car camping at the creek although some areas are covered in broken glass.No bathroom facilities. There is also a backpacking camp just a 1/4ml downstream but has not been used in some time. One person camped at creek and only saw 2 atvs all day.

Usually WTA does a great job of providing information on hikes but for the hikes in this Eastern WA area I feel they are missing a lot, as there are significant trails visible on Caltopo unaccounted for.  The hike we took was the map-named "Vista Trail" but is not listed on the WTA website, which is a shame for a hike of its caliber.  All-Trails does have it listed so check there for info. (Edit this trail on WTA is known by a different name so I have added it to the trip title, thanks for the informative comment). Having said that the trail leaves from the same trail head as Umtanum Creek Canyon trail so that's what I picked for reference.  The trail head parking area is formally called the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area.  It's a BLM site so that's federal (state parking passes no good), and is a really nice jumping off point.  Clean and well maintained, two outhouses well stocked, you can even camp here.  And no problem finding a parking spot either even though we did not arrive until close to eleven.

To access all the trails here you need to cross over the Yakima River on the lovely suspension bridge.  Then duck under the lowish rail road trestle to find the pathways heading out to different points.  We took the left at the V-junction on the main trail, and our trail climbed the side of a minor creek canyon quite steeply on sometimes clinker rock tread.  It dropped down to cross the creek at a muddy spot and then took off again away from the creek now heading up to the prow of the rolling hill to the right.  Once up on the slope you realize there is a lot more climbing ahead as the trail takes a direct route up toward Umtanum Ridge packing almost 2200 feet of climbing in a scant two and a half miles.  No switchbacks here to ease the way although the trail is an easy to follow foot wide dirt path with good grip.  A quarter mile shy of the ridge trail-braiding begins as there is an even steeper section to climb.  I almost stalled out here and had to get my poles to make the grade as there are no handy bushes to lend a veggie belay helping hand and I was tired.  Fortunately a hiker coming down was able to confirm that the climbing was almost done.  Once over that it was much easier going to the trail end which is actually a 100 yards beyond the ridge road you cross.  And wow what vistas there are.  Too cloudy today to see distant mountains but it's an almost 360 panorama across the amazing landscape eastern Washington.  The cloud-scapes were intense with a mix of dark gray and white clouds with blue sky and sun breaking through.  We stopped for a quick lunch enjoying all the views but for the first time this year were annoyed by the bugs, time to put the bug spray back in the pack.  Heading back down we took our time admiring the huge views rolling back down to the Yakima River Canyon, all while admiring the smallest and sweetest of spring flowers blooming amongst the tallow shaded grassland.

Not many people headed up or down.  Such a hidden gem.  With temps in the mid-50s on the way up and mid-60s back at the bottom it was perfect weather for tackling a hike that with such extreme sun exposure would be plain nasty in the heat of summer.  We were concerned about ticks and wore long pants and gaiters as the trail passes through tall grass and shrubby growth, but had no issues and other (braver?) people were hiking in shorts.

Got some sun, but no spring flowers. Trail is straightforward until the first Y at about .75-1 mile go right and cross the creek. We followed all trails gps and went left/straight and the trail disintegrated until we found a place to cross the creek to get back on the trail. After about 2 miles, the trail is overgrown. If I had to do it again, I would probably take the vista trail and walk the ridge.