Following are several local hikes which are representative of the diversity and scenic splendor of  Central Washington.  From the sage-dotted coulees of the Columbia Plateau, to the glaciated spine of the Cascade crest, it seems that Central Washington has it all.  Much of this country is public land and accessible by trail or careful cross-country scrambling.

The following hikes are presented in the order in which one can expect the trails to open.  Be aware that snow pack varies greatly from year to year. Alpine trails that may be free of snow by early June one year may be snowbound until early August the next.  Also be aware that forest road and trail numbers are changed from time to time.

The trails presented here are only a starting point.  There are several very good trail guides which cover our region.  If you are interested, any of the following books should be available at local bookstores.

Trailblazer Guide to 75 Hikes in Central Washington, by Ron Graham.  Graham's Guides, Yakima, WA.
100 Hikes in the South Cascades and Olympics, by Ira Spring and Harvey Manning.  The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA.
55 Hikes in Central Washington,  by  Ira Spring and Harvey Manning.  The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA.
50 Hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park,  by  Ira Spring and Harvey Manning.The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA.
100 hikes in the Alpine Lakes, by Vicky Spring, Ira Spring and Harvey Manning. The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA.

A few words to the wise.  Whenever venturing into backcountry, be adequately equipped with the proper clothing and boots. Always carry the 13 essentials and know how to use them.  Several of the hikes described are in arid country where little or no water can be expected.  You must therefore carry your own.  Any water you come across in the backcountry should be considered suspect and filtered or treated before consumption.

Starting at the 40th Ave/Summitview Ave intersection, drive west 7.2 miles on Summitview Ave. up and over Cowiche Mountain.  As you drop into the Cowiche Valley you will see a large, log veterinary clinic on the right side of the road.  Turn right onto Weikel Road just past this log structure.    Drive Weikel Road 0.5 miles and turn right onto the second gravel driveway (just in front of an old fruit warehouse) where Weikel Road takes a sharp turn north.  The parking area is marked a couple hundred feet ahead.

Hike east along an abandoned railroad bed.  Walk around a locked metal gate and into the canyon.  The trail follows Cowiche Creek through lush riparian and not so lush shrub-steppe habitat.  The flower show is fantastic from April through early June.  The trail crosses the creek several times on railroad bridges and one concrete structure recently erected by the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy with the aid of local donors.   There are several side trails which lead to the uplands south of the canyon.  Pack your wildflower and bird guides as well as a pair of binoculars.  Rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison ivy are frequently encountered in the canyon, so watch your step. If you want to make a one way trip, leave a car or arrange to be picked up at the east trailhead.  To get there by car, start at the 40th Ave./Powerhouse Road intersection next to Fred Meyers.  Drive west on Powerhouse Road 1 mile and turn left on Cowiche Canyon Road.  Drive to the end of the road and park.

Umtanum Canyon
Distance - 2-6 miles round trip
2 hours
February - May

From Yakima, travel north on Interstate 82.  Take Exit 26 and turn left onto Canyon Road. Check your odometer at this intersection.  Drive north up the canyon, and at 16.6 miles turn left into the Umtanum Creek Recreation site. Once off the road tyrn right and find a public parking area at the end of the road. Cross a narrow bridge over the Yakima River, carefully cross the railroad tracks (look both ways), and find the footpath on the left (south) side of Umtanum Creek. The trail follows Umtanum Creek westward up a pretty canyon. The further west you travel the narrower the canyon and sketchier the trail. In the spring bighorn sheep frequent the canyon, as do deer and elk. Watch your step, however, because locals call this canyon Rattlesnake Alley for good reason. Ticks are also common. A great birding and wildflower hike in season.

Mt. Cleman is the large east-west trending anticline ridge rising to the north of the Naches Valley.  Nearly every ridge and canyon is a possible avenue to the summit ridge, but some are steeper and more challenging than others.  This is a great spring conditioner.

The most popular route ascends waterworks canyon.  The trailhead is at a parking area immediately west of a small bridge on the north side of SR-410, only 0.4 miles west of the intersection of US-12 and SR-410.    There is a gate in the elk fence on the north side of the road. Go through the gate and follow the canyon or right or left ridge and ascend to the summit. Elevation gain is approximately 2300 feet.

For an alternate route, drive two miles west on SR-410 from the SR-410/US-12 intersection.  Take a right onto Mud Lake Road, a primitive dirt track.  Drive a quarter mile or so and park on the right just before the road swings left and climbs a hill.  Sanford Canyon is off to your right.  You have your choice of the canyon or the ridge to either side of it.  Either way is an interesting hike to the summit. Watch for ticks, snakes, flowers and mountain sheep.

From Yakima, travel north on Interstate 82.  Take Exit 26 and turn left onto Canyon Road. Check your odometer at this intersection.  Drive north up the canyon, and at 12.2 miles, just past the 12 mile marker, pull into a small parking area on the right side of the road. Hike up a dirt embankment to an abandoned road and hike it southeast a quarter mile to its end in a small gully.  Cross the gully and start climbing eastward up the slopes of Mt. Baldy.  There is no defined trail, but traces of animal and boot paths follow the ridge 2000 feet upward through strange basalt formations.  Once the ridge is gained, hike southward, up to the eyesore of a radio beacon on the summit of Mt. Baldy.  Enjoy big country views in all directions.

This is another great flower hike in the spring.  Bitter root and rare barrel cactus bloom on the summit ridge.  Enjoy the show but leave them undisturbed.  Many Cascadians use this as a conditioning hike.

Driving north from Yakima on I-82, take the Canyon Road exit #26.  Turn left on Canyon Road, and left again onto Harrison Road.  Drive west to the intersection with North Wenas Road.  Turn right and drive north on the N. Wenas Road.  After about 4 miles the road swings west, but you will drive straight north onto Gibson Road.  Continue north 1/4 mile, then take a right onto Buffalo Road.  This road gets rough and the access tends to change at the whim of local landowners and the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.  There is usually a large parking area on the left side of the road, or continue to the end of the road for the traditional trailhead, unless turned back by NO TRESPASSING signs.

Whichever trailhead you start at, the trail trend northward and is easy to follow.  The first trail is actually an abandoned 4-wheel drive road.  You can follow it north a couple miles, then find a footpath up a narrow canyon and join the main trail on the canyon rim.  Or you can hike a mile eastward cross country and find the main trail. The second is a traditional foot and stock trail.  Follow the trail north to the canyon rim, gaining 1200 feet in elevation. Turning back now will give you a good 4 mile hike.  If you choose to continue you will follow the canyon rim far above the Yakima River, then drop to river level at Roza Creek., 6 miles from the trailhead.  The trail climbs 1300 feet up North Umptanum Ridge, veers west and ends at the Old Durr Road, 16 miles from your starting point. This is a great flower trip in the spring, but becomes hot and dry by late June.  Watch for ticks and rattlesnakes.

Monument Coulee
3 mile loop
1-2 hours
April - June

From Ephrata drive north on State Route 17 into Grand Coulee. About 17 miles past Soap Lake turn right into Dry Falls/Sun Lakes State Park. Drive past the campground and urn left onto a paved road signed for Dry Falls Lake and Camp Delany. Very soon turn left again toward Dry Falls Lake and Camp Delany. Soon Dry Falls Lake Road will take off to the left, but you will want to continue toward camp Delany. Park in a wide pullout on the left side of the road next to the gate before reaching Camp Delany. Find a bootpath heading north up Monument Coulee. The towering walls of Umatilla Rock loom on your left, while the massive cliffs of Dry Falls rise to the right and straight ahead. In a bit over a mile youu will come to the saddle at the northern tip of Umatilla Rock. Red and Green Lakes are just a short hike to the right (east). To the right is Dry Falls Lake. Drop down an easy path to the eastern shore of Dry Falls Lake (watch for poison ivy here) and come out in the lake's parking area. You can follow the rough dirt road back down the western side of Umatilla Rock to reach your vehicle. A great spring hike in spectacular country.

From Ephrata drive north on State Route 17 into Grand Coulee. North of Dry Falls turn right onto US 2. Pass through Coulee City. North of town swing left onto State Route 155 and continue noth about another 15 miles. Turn left into Steamboat Rock State Park. rive to the day use area at the end of the road. The trail starts just across the road frm the day use area and climbs gently onto a sandy bench, aiming toward a break in the cliffs. The trail steepens, scrambles up a short pitch where you may want to use your hands to grab the rock walls for balance, then mellows out as it climbs into a rocky draw. Just below the top of the cliff wall the trail splits. The left branch climbs to the smaller souther plateau of Steamboat Rock. The right branch climbs to the larger northern plateau. Both offer spectacular views 800 feet down to the blue, fish-filled waters of Banks Lake and across the spectacular Grand Coulee. Gigantic granitic erratic boulders are scattered across the broad plateau, stranded in chunks of glacial ice as the massive Missoula Floods swept through this coulee thousands of years ago.

Northrup Canyon
4 mile round trip
2-3 hours
April - June

From Ephrata drive north on State Route 17 into Grand Coulee. North of Dry Falls turn right onto US 2. Pass through Coulee City. North of town swing left onto State Route 155 and continue north about another 19 miles. Turn right onto Northrup Canyon Road and drive about a half mile to the trailhead at a locked gate. The trail follows an old wagon road along the canyon bottom. Sage, Ponderosa, Douglas Fir, aspen, and cottonwood line the canyon slopes and creek. Gigantic outcrops of light granite are exposed along the lower levels of the canyon, while dark walls of basalt tower hundreds of feet overhead. Traces of old homesteads are passed until youu reach the Northrup homestead about 2 miles into the canyon. The old homestead requires exploring. A side canyon to the left of the homestead leads to a small lake in another long mile.

This is a great snow trip in late spring, or trail hike all summer.  No matter when you go its one heck of a conditioner, with over 4000 feet of elevation gain.

Starting at the US-12 and SR-410 intersection, drive west 27 miles on SR-410 and turn left onto Bumping River Road #2000.  Drive 11 miles to a junction and stay to the left onto FR # 2008 for approximately 1.5 miles.  There will be a short spur road # 635 on the left which leads to the Mt. Aix trailhead #982 in a couple hundred feet, elevation 3600 feet.

Climb through forests along long switchbacks, breaking out of forest at about 6200 ft elevation.  At 4 miles you will have gained the top of Nelson ridge, elevation 7100 feet.  Mt Aix is now visible 1.5 miles to the east.  Follow the trail east along a narrow ridge, then traverse along the loose southern face of Mt. Aix, arriving at the eastern base of the summit.  Find a faint path that leads up the eastern ridge, crosses a snowfield, and scrambles up the final section of rock to the level summit.  Enjoy the air at 7766 feet.

Start in the deep, green forests along Bumping River, and climb into green alpine meadows and rocky outcrops of Goat Peak.  Goat Peak has fantastic views and occasional sightings of actual goats.

Starting at the US-12 and SR-410 intersection, drive west 27 miles on SR-410 and turn left onto Bumping River Road #2000.  Drive a bit over 5 miles to the Goat Creek trailhead #959 and parking on the right.  Hike up the trail through forest and meadow for 3 miles nearly to the top of the ridge, then turn right on American Ridge trail #958 and hike 1 mile to the summit.

From Yakima, drive north on I-82 to Ellensburg, then north on US-97 to SR-970.  Turn left and drive toward Cle Elum about 3 miles and turn right on Teanaway River Road. Follow signs indicating "North Fork Teanaway".  At "29 Pines Campground go straight ahead onto FR #9737 and follow it 3 miles and turn right onto FR #112 and drive to its end.

Hike the first half-mile of trail #1391 along an old road bed, then, just before crossing Bean Creek, turn right onto trail #1391A.  In a few hundred yards you must ford Bean Creek.  If the water is high you might find a log to cross a couple hundred feet down stream.  Climb through forest almost a mile before breaking out into meadows.  The trail will cross Bean Creek again and climb to the shoulder of Earl Peak, but that's not the way you want to go. Instead, find a boot path along the left (west) side of Bean Creek and follow it upward another half mile into beautiful alpine meadows.  Bean Peak is the rocky, tan-colored peak at the head of the valley.  It is a moderate scramble to the summit involving an additional hour, but it's well worth the effort and time. Magnificent views of the Stuart Range.

Colchuck Lake is an easily reached gem surrounded by imposing granite peaks.  A permit is required to camp, but the trail is short enough for day trips.
From Yakima, drive north on I-82 to Ellensburg, then north on US-97 over Swauk Pass to US-2.  Drive west to Leavenworth and drive through town on US-2.  At the far side of town turn left onto Icicle Road (FR #7600).  Drive 8.5 miles and turn left onto FR #7601.  Follow this steep, gravel road 4 miles to the trailhead.

Start hiking in deep woods along noisy Mountaineer Creek.  Within a couple of miles the trail crosses the creek on a sturdy bridge, then steepens.  At about 2.5 miles the trail levels and the Colchuck Lake trail branches off to the left.  The trail drops to Mountaineer Creek where a footbridge may or may not be available to cross.  If the footbridge is gone, hike up or downstream a few hundred yards and find a fallen tree to make the crossing.  Be very careful, because Mountaineer Creek is deeper and stronger than it appears.  Once across the creek, follow the trail as it climbs through timber and rock gardens to the shores of Colchuck Lake 4,5 miles from the trailhead.

Drive US-12 west 19 miles from the US-12/SR-410 intersection and turn right onto Wildcat Creek Road # 1306.  After 2  1/2 miles turn left onto FR #1362.  Three-quarters of a mile further keep left onto FR #1381 and follow it a bit over 2 miles and turn right onto FR # 1384.  Stay with this road a couple more miles to the trailhead.

The trailhead takes some searching out, but can be found across FR #1384 from the parking area.  Don't be fooled into taking the old skid road heading directly uphill, although you can do this and rejoin the trail on the other side of the hill.  Russell Ridge trail #1111 swings south around a hill, then north into open slopes, bending west onto Russell Ridge.  After about 3 miles, take trail #1141 to the right which will lead to Fox Meadow.  Descend into mixed meadows and timber, passing a small lake on your left.  The trail skirts the slope of Ironstone mountain, but doesn't ascend.  Leave the trail and scramble north up to the summit.

This scenic hike follows a high ridge into the William O'Douglas Wilderness, then allows easy scrambling to a rocky summit with big views.

From the US-12 and SR-410 intersection, drive US-12 westbound for 14.5 miles and turn right onto Bethel Ridge Road #1500.  Wind up this twisting road several miles until you reach the top of the ridge at 5700 feet.  Turn left onto FR #199 and drive to its end at about 2 miles.

Register at the trailhead and follow trail #1141 westward as it follows a high ridge in and out of forest.  At about 1.5 miles a short scramble puts you on top of Burnt Mountain. At 3.5 miles turn right on trail #1141A and scramble 0.5 miles up the rocky spine of Shellrock Peak, 6835 feet.  Sit and enjoy a leisurely lunch with views deep into the William O'Douglas and Goat Rock Wilderness areas.

This hike offers spectacular vistas for very little sweat.  You'll stroll through meadows filled with wildflowers, climb to an old lookout site (the cabin is long gone), and gaze into the heart of the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

From the US-12 and SR-410 intersection, drive US-12 west 16 miles and turn left onto Tieton River Road #1200.  Continue about 10 miles and turn left onto FR #1205. Wind uphill a couple miles until you see FR #1205 swing to the right. Don't take it.  Keep going straight ahead on FR *742 a short distance until you run into FR # 1204.  Turn right on FR # 1204 and stick with it until it ends at Section 3 Lake (actually a  small pond).

Bear Creek Mountain Trail #1130 traverses the south side of a ridge, first in timber, then in green, flower studded meadows.  Bear Creek Mountain is visible dead ahead.  Three miles into the hike a side trail #1130A switchbacks nearly 1000 feet upward to the summit of Bear Creek Mountain.  The climb is actually very enjoyable as you walk through gardens and stunted, Bonzai-like trees.  Take a good long break at the summit.  The views here are outstanding.  This hike is on nearly everyone's list of favorites.

Sheep Lake 5 miles round trip 3 hours July Map: Mt. Rainier East (Green Trails), Bumping Lake (Green Trails) Drive west on SR-410 to Chinook Pass and park in the lot on the right side of the road, just east of the summit.  Hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.  The first mile rises gently through steep flower gardens.  The trail then takes a turn and climbs to Sheep Lake at about 2.5 miles.  This is a nice spot for a lunch, but you can also hike an additional mile north on the trail to Sourdough Gap and scramble up the ridges to look down on Crystal Lake and the White River Valley.

Drive west on SR-410 to Chinook Pass and park in the lot on the right side of the road, just east of the summit.  Hike southeast on the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.  Here you will gently climb along the flank of Naches Peak.  At about 2 miles you will come to a fork in the trail. The left fork is the PCT which descends 1 mile to Dewey Lake.  Take the trail on the right which will descend along the south flank of Naches Peak through meadows and forest.  In about 1 mile you will come to SR 410.  You can either hike the highway back to your vehicle, or cross the road to Tipsoo Lake and find a path that leads back up to the pass.

This is a very scenic hike to alpine meadows, a sparkling lake, and craggy summits, but with a toll.  In order to reach the alpine playground you must first climb 2200 feet through timber.  In past years the climb could be avoided by taking the ski lift, but that has not been an option recently.  Check with the resort.

Drive west on US-12 to White Pass.  Park a short distance east of the summit, at the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead.  Hike south on the PCT #2000, climbing through forest.  At about 4.5 miles you will enter mixed forest and meadows, eventually leaving forest altogether and traversing steep alpine meadows on the eastern flank of Hogback Mountain (an easy scramble).  At 7 miles you can drop to the lake on a side spur.

Starting at the US-12/SR-410 intersection, drive west 27 miles on SR-410 and turn left onto Bumping River Road #2000.  Drive 11 miles to a junction.  Continue on road #2000 which is the right fork.  Drive to its end where you will find the Swamp Lake Trail #970.

From the trailhead hike west through forest and descend to the Bumping River.  If the water isn't too high, wade across and pick up the trail on the other side. In a few hundred feet you will come to an intersection.  Continue west on Swamp Lake Trail.  Climb through forest with occasional breaks allowing views southward of the Cougar Creek valley.  At about 4 miles the trail will level out and you will come to Swamp Lake on the right.  An old, battered, CCC lean-to still stands to the left of the trail.  Take a short break (and catch a few brook trout or cutthroat if you brought a rod), then continue west on trail #970.  In about half a mile you will come to another trail junction with American Ridge Trail #958.  Take a left on this trail, and in about another quarter mile take a left onto Cougar Lakes Trail #958A.  In a mile the trail descends to beautiful Cougar Lakes, passing between the two.

This is a fine area to camp and make day hikes.  Trail # 958A continues southwest and climbs through a pretty valley, joining the PCT #2000 in 2 miles.  From there, you can hike 2 miles north on the PCT, then take a right onto American Ridge Trail # 958.  Its only 1.5 miles back to the American Ridge Trail/Cougar Lakes Trail junction.

From Yakima, drive west over White Pass on US-12 to 2 miles west of Packwood.  Turn south on FR #21 and drive 15.5 miles and turn left on FR #2150 (just past Hugo Lk.) In less than 3 miles turn onto FR #2150(014) and stay with this road to its end at the Berry Patch trailhead a mile further.

Hike NE through deep forest on trail #96A, and in a few hundred yards take a right on Snowgrass Flats trail #96.  The first couple miles are gentle, and the next two miles climb to small meadows before leveling off a bit.  Approximately 4.5 miles from the trailhead Snowgrass Flats trail #96 cuts off to the right, while trail #86 continues  north.  Take Snowgrass Flats trail 0.5 miles eastward, gently climbing into expansive Snowgrass Flats.

The struggle it takes to get here is well worth the effort, especially in late August or early September when Huckleberries are ripe.  If you have the energy, hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 to the western shoulder of Old Snowy Mountain and take the way-trail to the 7930 foot summit.  Look northwest to Rainier and south to Adams.  About a million years ago the Goat Rocks resembled those giants.

Goat Lake Loop 12 miles 8 - 10 hours or camp late July or early August Map: Goat Rocks Wilderness (National Forest topo) From Yakima, drive west over White Pass on US-12 to 2 miles west of Packwood.  Turn south on FR #21 and drive 15.5 miles and turn left on FR #2150 (just past Hugo Lk.) In less than 3 miles turn onto FR #2150(014) and stay with this road to its end at the Berry Patch trailhead a mile further. Hike NE through deep forest on trail #96A, and in a few hundred yards take a right on Snowgrass Flats trail #96.  The first couple miles are gentle, and the next two miles climb to small meadows before leveling off.  Approximately 4.5 miles from the trailhead Snowgrass Flats trail #96 cuts off to the right, while trail #86 continues north 3 miles along scenic cirque walls to Goat Lake, a great place to have lunch and explore.  From Goat Lake, hike southwest on trail #86 about 0.5 miles and take a left onto trail #95.  Follow this trail south along airy Goat Ridge 3.5 miles before descending the last mile through forest to an intersection with trail #96.  Take a left here and hike trail #96 about a quarter mile to trail #96A.  Turn right and hike trail #96A back to the trailhead where you started your journey.