Foot Sports
Check the Calendar page for scheduled walks/hikes.
2023 Hikes
Hiking Whitetail Trail around Bennington Lake near Walla Walla on November 8, 2023.
Palouse Falls March 15. 8 members made the trip to Palouse Falls State park on a breezy, sunny day. After views of the mighty, muddy falls we found a network of trails leading south with views of the river, train tracks and tunnels, and basalt outcroppings. We heard canyon wrens and meadowlarks; we saw deer on the ridges, and the shed skin of a young rattlesnake
McNary Dam Tunnel January 11, 2023 Ten us of had a lovely day hiking through two tunnels and along the Columbia River to McNary Dam. It’s
mostly an easy hike of about 2 to 2.5 mi round trip, with views of water birds, boats, basalt cliffs, and, of
course, the dam.
mostly an easy hike of about 2 to 2.5 mi round trip, with views of water birds, boats, basalt cliffs, and, of
course, the dam.
2022 Hikes
Frenchman Coulee Sept 28, 2022 Frenchman Coulee overlooks the Columbia River near George WA. This moderately difficult hike overlooks the ridge separating Frenchman Coulee and Echo Basin. Features of the hike include flood coulees, cataracts, plunge pools, giant flood bars, basalt pillars, rock basins and benches, potholes, abandoned spillways, hanging coulees, and ice-rafted erratics.
Owyhigh Lakes hike, 8-31-22 The trail is well shaded by the surrounding forest until it breaks open into the awesome views of Owyhigh Lakes with a field of flowers in the foreground and Governors Ridge and Barrier Peak in the background. A little further down the trail one of the Cowlitz Chimneys comes into view.
Two Day Triple Hike May 24-25 Day 1 -Falls Creek Falls and Panther Creek Falls (on the WA side of the Columbia Gorge) , Day 2 - Summit of Silver Star Mt
Snow Mountain Ranch, Cowiche Conservancy Area on May 11, 2022
2021 Hikes
Pete Lake on August 11, 2021 This relatively easy trail started at Cooper Lake in the Salmon La Sac area and followed the Cooper River upstream. This is a very pretty high mountain lake with a backdrop of Chimney Rock and Summit Chief Peak.
Bean Creek Basin on July 7, 2021 This hike in the Teanaway Basin is about 5 miles round trip. A sub-alpine meadow teeming with wildflowers greeted hikers who made their way up to the Bean Creek Basin.
Shellrock/Burnt Mountain June 30, 2021 A scenic hike in the mountains north of Rimrock Lake (referred to as Cash Prairie).
Sawtooth Ridge on June 9, 2021 This hike is located in the Blue Mts. south of Dayton and the Bluewood Ski Area. The Sawtooth RidgeTrail followed the ridge line which offers views of the Wenaha River drainage. At this time of year the wild flowers were in bloom. Snow was still in areas
Two Rivers Park on May 26, 2021 This was a local hike from Two Rivers Park in Findley that followed the dike upstream along the Columbia River to the railroad bridge and back.
Ancient Lakes on May 5,2021 This was a 5 mi RT hike in the coulee country near Quincy, WA. Diverse areas of basalt columns, lakes, waterfalls, sagebrush and flowers through an area were scoured by glacial floodwaters. The many layers of basalt are exposed, and several of the potholes are filled with water that has seeped from the irrigation systems that feed the Quincy basin farmlands upslope.
The Twin Sisters Overlook hike April 21,2021 There were stunning views looking down on the Twin Sisters and west towards the Columbia Gorge, while traversing the canyons and basins which the Ice Age Floods carved thousands of years ago. Crossing a barbed wire fence on a makeshift “ladder” or rolling under the wire fence was experienced both directions
Big Cross to Road 100 and return April 14, 2021 This was a pleasant 9-mile RT walk in Pasco with little elevation gain. We walked through the cross-country course, through quiet neighborhoods and along the dirt road next to the canal to Road 100 and back.
Skyline Ridge Trail March 31, 2021 This hike headed north from Vantage, rising to the bluffs above the Columbia River. Spectacular views along the Columbia River were seen as it rolls through a deep basalt canyon with the I-90 bridge down below.
Yakima Greenway, March 24, 2021 The Yakima Greenway is a paved pedestrian and bike path that runs along the Yakima River.
Hog Canyon Trail on March 17, 2021 The trail is mostly on single-track or double-track dirt roads through open scabland. Hog Canyon Falls can be found by walking along the west side of Hog Lake for a 5 mile round trip.
Madame Dorian Hike of March 10, 2021 A walk along the Walla Walla River and the 2 waterfowl lakes from the Madam Dorion parking area upstream and back for an 8-mile round trip.
Sacagawea Heritage Trail February 10, 2021 The 6-mile hike began from the road into Sacagawea Park where the paved multi-use path intercepted, and followed that path upstream along the Columbia River past Port of Pasco facilities and Osprey Point. The turn around point was Schlagel Park. Eagles were seen along the river.
Columba Plateau Trail from Ice Harbor Dam on January 29, 2021 This is an easy hike on a converted rail bed along the Snake River. Since this is an out and back hike, hikers could select any distance. Enjoyed watching the waterfowl and observing the basalt formations.
Red Mountain Vineyard hike on January 20, 2021 This unique hike which began at Hedges Winery was arranged especially for our group by one of our members. We walked though their vineyards with striking views of the countryside. We also visited the site where a new trail is planned.
2020
Hike to the Secret Pond December 16, 2020 This was an out and back hike along the Ringold Ridges. The trail passed a small pond, provided scenic views of the Columbia River and Hanford Site, and featured interesting geology.
Billaux Butte November 25,2020 This is a moderate hike about 7.6 miles long in the south part of the Columbia Wildlife Refuge NW of Othello. There is not any heavy climbing, but a scramble or two up and down, for these are the Channeled Scablands.
Frenchman Coulee May of 2020
Columbia Plateau along the Snake River to the Flood Bar Feb. 12, 2020 Starting at the end of Snake River Road, this was a hike upstream along the Snake River mostly on a dirt wagon road that parallels the RR bed. There was interesting geology showing in the cuts for the RR bed, including Mt Saint Helens ash, Mt Mazama ash (Crater Lake), and Missoula Lake flood deposits.
McBee Grade Wagon Trail on Feb. 5, 2020 This moderate hike promised rewarding views of the local area. However, the hike was quite windy. Taking the more protected Wagon Trail route was slick on the way down between the packed snow and then mud from warming temperatures.
Tapteal Trail from Horn Rapids Jan. 22, 2020 A 6 mile hike along the Northern bank of the Yakima River heading upstream from Horn Rapids County Park on the Tapteal Greenway trail.
WE Johnson Park on January 8, 2020 We followed the trail along the Yakima River down stream toward the Duportail bridge construction and returned. This was an easy approx. 5-mile trip with negligible elevation gain.
2019
Sacajawea Heritage Trail on Dec. 4, 2019 This was mostly a paved walk/bike trail that started at Sacajawea Park in Pasco. We followed the Columbia River upriver to Schlagel Park and back.
Yakima Greenway on Nov. 20, 2019 This was an easy hike on a level mostly-paved bike path along the Yakima River greenbelt.
Umtanum Creek on October 30, 2019 The hike began with a walk over a bouncy suspension bridge above the trout-rich waters of the Yakima River. The trail leaves the highway and follows the Umtanum Creek bed, past an old homestead (complete with an overgrown, brambly apple orchard) and leads into desert wildlife habitat. Since it was Halloween, some choose to dress up for the occasion.
Tieton River Trail on Oct.16, 2019 This trail allows you to savor the dramatic scenery found along the river and under the basalt cliffs.It starts across from the Oak Creek elk feeding station on Highway 12, and follows the Tieton River upstream.
Cave B hike Oct. 23, 2019 A moderate loop hike starting at the Cave B winery near the Gorge Amphitheater: about 4 mi with about 1000 ft elevation change. Wine tasting afterwards.
Lower Ohanapecosh River July 10, 2019 From the Deer Creek/Owyhee Lakes Trail Junction, along Chinook Creek and then along the Ohanapecosh River to the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Sawtooth Ridge July 3rd, 2019 This hike is located in the Blue Mts. south of Dayton and Bluewood Ski Area.
June 26, 2019: South Fork of the Walla Walla River. This hike follows the South Fork Walla Walla River in the Blue Mts east of Milton Freewater. Most of the hike is wooded.
June 19, 2019 Union Creek Hike Hike is on the the way to Chinook Pass
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May 29, 2019 Sedge Ridge is west of Yakima between the south fork and the middle fork of the Ahtanum rivers
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Horse Lake Trail - Wenatchee WA May 15, 2019 Located in the foothills just west of Wenatchee, this is a moderate 5.2-mi loop on green trails and an old dirt road through a former homestead now nature reserve.
Basalt Rings near Odessa, WA May 8, 2019 We enjoyed a hiking tour of three of the several Odessa Craters. The craters are known alternatively as ringed craters, basalt rings or ring dikes
Overnight Hike Trip to Mosier, OR May 1-2, 2019. An overnight “spring fever” hike, bike, and flower fest in the Columbia River Gorge
Hike Westberg Trail - Ellensburg~April 24, 2019
April 17, 2019 Hog Canyon and Hog Lake are in the coulee country east of Soap Lake
Upper Klickitat RR Grade, Swale Canyon April 10, 2019 This portion of the Klickitat Trail follows the Swale Creek canyon downstream on an old Seattle, Portland, and Spokane railroad grade.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park April 3, 2019 The hike started near the Gingko Forest Visitor Center and went uphill to become more rolling along the top of the ridge overlooking the Columbia River
Lewis & Clark Trail to Hat Rock State Park March 27, 2019 This trail is a segment of the Lewis and Clark Commemorative Trail on the Oregon side of the Columbia River upstream from Umatilla.
Badger Mountain January 29, 2019 Hike from the Dallas Road Trail head parking
Umatilla Nat Wildlife Area January 30, 2019 Easy hike along a section of the Lewisk and Clark Commemorative Trial that runs through the McCormach Slough Unit of the Umitilla National Wildlife Refuge west or Irrigon OR
Tapteal Greenway January 16, 2019 An easy hike along the Yakima River Heading upstream from Horn Rapids County Park on the Tapteal Greenway for a 6 mile hike.
WE Johnson Park Jan. 9, 2019 The trail follows along the Yakima River downstream toward the Duportail bridge construction
2018
Schalgel Park, December 19, 2018 Hike started at Sacajawea Park and followed the Columbia River upriver to RR bridge and back for a 6 mile hike
Frenchman Coulee on the Columbia River, October 2018 Frenchman Coulee overlooks the Columbia River a couple of miles upstream on the opposite side from Vantage
Umtanum Creek Falls and Peoh Point, near Cle Elum May 2018 Frenchman Coulee overlooks the Columbia River a couple of miles upstream on the opposite side from Vantage
Columbia River Flood in May 2018
Silver Falls, Oregon in Feb 2018
2017
Horn Rapids Park December 13, 2017
Wahluke Lake December 6, 2017
Utah in May 2017
