Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail
3 weeks ago
Dry with rocks and roots to avoid
1 this month · 15 reports
Cowiche Canyon Preserve
Central Washington
updated 4 months ago
The Cowiche Canyon Preserve offers a stunning high-desert experience, particularly noted for its spectacular canyon walls and springtime wildflower displays. As of May 22, the Cowiche Creek was running strong, though poison ivy was abundant in riparian areas. Hikers can explore the former Burlington Northern Railroad bed on the Cowiche Canyon Trail, with options to loop into the uplands via trails like Lone Pine and Tieton Andesite for enhanced views. Wildflowers, including balsamroot, were still plentiful in early May, though past peak by May 2, and phlox, sagebrush violet, and gold-star were observed in early April. Both the "Scenic" and East Canyon trailheads offer parking and port-a-potties, with ample space reported on a Thursday in late April. The trails are generally well-signed, though some intersections may be confusing, and a digital map is recommended.
Generated from 39 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Cowiche Canyon Preserve
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 4 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 4 months, so everything below is at least that old.
Poison ivy is abundant in the riparian areas along Cowiche Creek, as noted on May 22. No other specific trail obstacles like blowdown or significant erosion were mentioned in the provided reports. Hikers should be mindful of potential confusion at trail intersections, with a digital map recommended as a backup.
Plenty of parking was available at the East Canyon trailhead on April 4, and the lot was not even a third full on a Thursday in late April. The 'Scenic' trailhead parking lot is larger than the one at East Canyon trail, and both have port-a-potties.
There is generally no shade on the Cowiche Canyon Trail, especially in the uplands. Hikers should come prepared for sun exposure, as a cooling canyon breeze was noted on a 80-degree day. The wide gravel surface also offers little respite from the sun.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older4 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
#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...
Older4 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
Wide gravel surface, no shade
Older5 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
What a beautiful alternative to crowded hikes such as Sage Hills, and fairly close to Seattle (2 hours and 15 mins). The balsamroot are just past peak but still plentiful on the Wildflower trail and h...
Older5 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...
Older5 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...
Older5 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...
Older6 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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 ...
Older6 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...
Older6 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...
Older6 months ago
Central Washington > Yakima
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...