Cowiche Canyon Preserve
Central Washington
Cowiche Canyon Preserve is currently experiencing excellent hiking conditions, with wildflowers in full bloom. Reports from March 5th through May 22nd, 2026, consistently highlight a vibrant display of early spring and summer blooms, including grass widows, gold stars, sagebrush violets, and balsamroot. Cowiche Creek is running strong, with abundant poison ivy along its banks.
The trails, primarily former rail beds and lava flows, are in good condition with wide gravel surfaces and no significant obstacles reported. Parking is available at both the East Canyon and Scenic trailheads, with the latter noting an open gate even before the reported 8 am closure time. The uplands offer expansive views of the surrounding landscape and distant peaks. Shade is minimal, so prepare for sun exposure.
generated from 38 reports
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#Hikethestate - Love the high desert envir and hiking the 2.9-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail, a former rail bed with eleven bridge crossings of Cowiche Creek, and looping up on Lone Pine trail to the ridge...
Wide gravel surface, no shade
It's wildflower time! This was my first time at Cowiche, and I'll go back if I'm in the area.There are miles of trails - I managed to get a bit lost in the Upper part, as the map doesn't exactly matc...
Took advantage of a beautiful Saturday to hike in Cowiche Canyon Preserve. We started in the parking lot at the east end of the Canyon at 10 AM. Our 6.3-mile loop was Cowiche Canyon - Tieton Andestit...
We did a loop starting at the Scenic Road trailhead sticking to the southern section of the trail system. I'm not sure of all the trails taken but we were on the Jeep, Summit, Radio Flyer, Col Barnhil...
After having done Snow Mountain Ranch my friend and I decided to use up what was left for time by doing a quick excursion into Cowiche Canyon from the east end. It was pretty warm and sunny by around ...
The flowers (mostly the early ones) are out in the Cowiche Uplands. The beautiful grass widows (photo 1) are beginning to phase out, but there are still many to be found. There are lots of sagebrush v...
Great hike in 67F sunny weather with so many wildflowers! This was a really nice hike up and down hills with grasses blowing in the wind and birds of prey soaring above the canyonand magpies.Took the...
The trails at Cowiche Canyon Uplands have been closed for the past month due to mud but re-opened today. I've been itching to go take a look for flowers and got a chance to go for a quick hike after w...
Fall colors are just starting. Morning and late afternoon/early evening are best. Bring a light jacket. Mid-day can still be a bit toasty.No bugs to worry about. Just a few Caddis flies. Mid day you m...
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