Suggested Solo Day Hikes
May
(Note: May is rattlesnake month at low to medium elevations. Stay alert when hiking these trails.)
Snow Mt Ranch: Snow Mt Ranch is part of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy just a little west of Yakima. It is a few miles farther west than Cowiche Canyon but is on the side of a ridge rather than in a canyon. This is open sagebrush country with better views and at their peak has lots of showy desert wildflowers. Several trails are available. Those who wish to go slowly and enjoy the flowers can take some of the short trails near the entrance or the Wildflower/Bench Trails loop (approx. 4 mi and 400-ft gain). Those who wish for a longer hike can take the site perimeter loop to the top of the ridge for a total of about 9 miles with 1140-ft elevation gain. No parking permit required.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) I82 to Yakima, then take the highway 12 overpass toward Natches. Take the 40th Ave exit which takes you past Fred Myers. (The Club usually stops there for a pit stop and coffee break.) Continue up the hill on 40th Ave for several blocks, then turn right on Summitview Ave. Follow Summitview for about 8.8 mi (it will eventually veer right, then veer left again.) Turn left on Cowiche MIll Rd (you are heading west again). At 2.6 mi on Cowiche Mill Rd, you will find the parking area for Snow Mt Ranch on the left.
Bennington Lake: Probably better in April but still good enough in May, Bennington Lake is just slightly east of Walla Walla, in rolling foothills country. It is an overflow area for Mill Creek so was heavily used last winter during the Mill Creek flood. Not sure what condition the trails that circumnavigate the lake are in because of the flood. We usually circumnavigate the lake on Whitetail trail but you might have to do an out and back if the trail is damaged. The Whitetail loop is about 4.8 miles with just enough ups and downs to get your heartrate up a bit but nothing serious. Toilet facilities at the main parking area. No parking permit required. If you go clockwise, then Whitetail loop starts at the far end of the parking lot.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) Highway 12 to Walla Walla. Stay on the highway as you pass most of the town. Take the exit for the airport and Tausick way. Turn right onto Tausick way heading back toward town (not the airport). At about a half mile turn left onto Reservoir Rd. Stay on this to the very end, last parking lot.
Hog Canyon and Hog Lake: Hog Canyon and Hog Lake are in the coulee country east of I90 toward Spokane. This is a relatively easy hike of 1.5 mi through Hog Canyon toward Hog Canyon Falls but can be and should be extended by walking along the west side of Hog Lake; so probably 4-5 mi RT; some up and down but not significantly so. There’s a great lunch spot at the north end of the lake looking over at the falls. (Note: the falls themselves are on private land. You should not try to walk to the falls.) The trail is mostly on single-track or double-track dirt roads through open scabland; but also encounters groves of trees like ponderosa and aspen - cattails too in the canyon floor. Typical scabland wildflowers might still be in bloom; last year we saw a moose. No toilet facilities. No parking permit required. The driving distance is on the long side - 240 mi RT.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) I90 toward Sprague. Exit 254 (Fishtrap) on Sprague highway. 2.5 mi south on Sprague highway, then left onto Fishtrap Rd. 0.6 mi to parking area on right.
Trail directions: From the parking area, walk the paved road 0.1 mile toward Fishtrap Lake Resort. Turn left on the first dirt road. Take the first or second gate on the right through the barbed wire fence (the gate paths merge in about 100 ft) to begin hiking the single-track trail toward Hog Lake. The trail drops into a grassy draw and then climbs the slope on the opposite side and through a fence gate. When in doubt, look for the vertical trail posts the BLM uses to mark the route. The trail bends left, levels onto a bench, and contours along Hog Canyon. The trail then steps down to another broader, more meadowlike bench. At 1.5 miles, pass a little aspen grove. The trail continues a short way on a double-track. Then bear right on the single-track as it enters the Hog Lake access site. Walk to the boat launch and bear left onto the angler trail along the lake’s northwest shore. After a few hundred yards, the user trail angles up toward the rim. It fades as it crosses a short patch of scree near the top but becomes evident again as it follows the edge of the bluff.
Lewis and Clark Trail, Oregon, McNary Beach to Hat Rock SP: Closer to home, this trail goes along the Columbia River on the Oregon side starting near McNary Dam. It is flat, and wide in most places, has the Columbia River along the north side and may have some flowers on the south side. It is about 6 mi from McNary Beach to Hat Rock so the RT would be 12 mi, but you can turn around anywhere. Or you can start and end at Hat Rock SP heading downstream. (Hat Rock SP is open.)
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) To McNary Beach, take 395/I82 south to the Oregon border. Exit immediately after crossing the bridge. Turn left (east) on 6th Street (also Highway 730). At about 4 mi, turn left onto Beach Access Rd. Drive to the park at the end. No parking permit required. Toilet facilities available. Trail starts at the east end of the parking area.
To start at Hat Rock SP, continue on highway 730 for about 9 mi from the I82 exit. Park is on your left. Stay straight on Hat Rock SP Rd to the end. Trails starts near the river on your left.
Umtanum Falls: Located between Wenas and Ellensburg in the Umtanum Ridge area, this is a short but mostly shaded walk in the upper Umtanum Creek Canyon to the top of a lovely small falls. RT is only about 2 mi with a few hundred feet elevation change; a little steep in one place and at the falls; rock-hop crossing of the creek may be necessary. With care, one can continue on the trail to the right-hand side of the falls, then descend steeply to the bottom. (Some refreshing wading perhaps?) If more adventure is desired, one can scramble up the south rim and find an old road to explore heading either downstream or upstream. Eventually you will need to return to the creek just above the falls or on a faint trail about 0.5 mi above the falls to return to your car. Discover Pass required for parking. No toilet facilities. The driving distance is long – 240 mi. RT if go through Ellensburg.
Driving directions: (Several miles on dirt.) Two ways to get there or can complete a loop. Take I82/I90 to Ellensburg. Take first exit and turn right onto Canyon Rd. At the traffic light, turn left onto Wenas-Umtanum Rd. You will cross the Yakima River, then veer left but still on Wenas- Umtanum Rd. Stay on this road, which turns to gravel at about 5 mi. At about 11 mi from the freeway exit, find a small, signed parking area on the left. If you want a nice loop drive, continue southish on this road after the hike, which becomes North Wenas Rd. It will eventually take you to the Wenas Wildlife area, then past Wenas Lake, to the north end of Selah. At the outskirts of Selah, look for a triangular junction with highway 823 (Harrison Rd). Turn left onto Harrison Rd which will take you back to I82.
Snow Mt Ranch: Snow Mt Ranch is part of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy just a little west of Yakima. It is a few miles farther west than Cowiche Canyon but is on the side of a ridge rather than in a canyon. This is open sagebrush country with better views and at their peak has lots of showy desert wildflowers. Several trails are available. Those who wish to go slowly and enjoy the flowers can take some of the short trails near the entrance or the Wildflower/Bench Trails loop (approx. 4 mi and 400-ft gain). Those who wish for a longer hike can take the site perimeter loop to the top of the ridge for a total of about 9 miles with 1140-ft elevation gain. No parking permit required.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) I82 to Yakima, then take the highway 12 overpass toward Natches. Take the 40th Ave exit which takes you past Fred Myers. (The Club usually stops there for a pit stop and coffee break.) Continue up the hill on 40th Ave for several blocks, then turn right on Summitview Ave. Follow Summitview for about 8.8 mi (it will eventually veer right, then veer left again.) Turn left on Cowiche MIll Rd (you are heading west again). At 2.6 mi on Cowiche Mill Rd, you will find the parking area for Snow Mt Ranch on the left.
Bennington Lake: Probably better in April but still good enough in May, Bennington Lake is just slightly east of Walla Walla, in rolling foothills country. It is an overflow area for Mill Creek so was heavily used last winter during the Mill Creek flood. Not sure what condition the trails that circumnavigate the lake are in because of the flood. We usually circumnavigate the lake on Whitetail trail but you might have to do an out and back if the trail is damaged. The Whitetail loop is about 4.8 miles with just enough ups and downs to get your heartrate up a bit but nothing serious. Toilet facilities at the main parking area. No parking permit required. If you go clockwise, then Whitetail loop starts at the far end of the parking lot.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) Highway 12 to Walla Walla. Stay on the highway as you pass most of the town. Take the exit for the airport and Tausick way. Turn right onto Tausick way heading back toward town (not the airport). At about a half mile turn left onto Reservoir Rd. Stay on this to the very end, last parking lot.
Hog Canyon and Hog Lake: Hog Canyon and Hog Lake are in the coulee country east of I90 toward Spokane. This is a relatively easy hike of 1.5 mi through Hog Canyon toward Hog Canyon Falls but can be and should be extended by walking along the west side of Hog Lake; so probably 4-5 mi RT; some up and down but not significantly so. There’s a great lunch spot at the north end of the lake looking over at the falls. (Note: the falls themselves are on private land. You should not try to walk to the falls.) The trail is mostly on single-track or double-track dirt roads through open scabland; but also encounters groves of trees like ponderosa and aspen - cattails too in the canyon floor. Typical scabland wildflowers might still be in bloom; last year we saw a moose. No toilet facilities. No parking permit required. The driving distance is on the long side - 240 mi RT.
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) I90 toward Sprague. Exit 254 (Fishtrap) on Sprague highway. 2.5 mi south on Sprague highway, then left onto Fishtrap Rd. 0.6 mi to parking area on right.
Trail directions: From the parking area, walk the paved road 0.1 mile toward Fishtrap Lake Resort. Turn left on the first dirt road. Take the first or second gate on the right through the barbed wire fence (the gate paths merge in about 100 ft) to begin hiking the single-track trail toward Hog Lake. The trail drops into a grassy draw and then climbs the slope on the opposite side and through a fence gate. When in doubt, look for the vertical trail posts the BLM uses to mark the route. The trail bends left, levels onto a bench, and contours along Hog Canyon. The trail then steps down to another broader, more meadowlike bench. At 1.5 miles, pass a little aspen grove. The trail continues a short way on a double-track. Then bear right on the single-track as it enters the Hog Lake access site. Walk to the boat launch and bear left onto the angler trail along the lake’s northwest shore. After a few hundred yards, the user trail angles up toward the rim. It fades as it crosses a short patch of scree near the top but becomes evident again as it follows the edge of the bluff.
Lewis and Clark Trail, Oregon, McNary Beach to Hat Rock SP: Closer to home, this trail goes along the Columbia River on the Oregon side starting near McNary Dam. It is flat, and wide in most places, has the Columbia River along the north side and may have some flowers on the south side. It is about 6 mi from McNary Beach to Hat Rock so the RT would be 12 mi, but you can turn around anywhere. Or you can start and end at Hat Rock SP heading downstream. (Hat Rock SP is open.)
Driving directions: (Always on pavement.) To McNary Beach, take 395/I82 south to the Oregon border. Exit immediately after crossing the bridge. Turn left (east) on 6th Street (also Highway 730). At about 4 mi, turn left onto Beach Access Rd. Drive to the park at the end. No parking permit required. Toilet facilities available. Trail starts at the east end of the parking area.
To start at Hat Rock SP, continue on highway 730 for about 9 mi from the I82 exit. Park is on your left. Stay straight on Hat Rock SP Rd to the end. Trails starts near the river on your left.
Umtanum Falls: Located between Wenas and Ellensburg in the Umtanum Ridge area, this is a short but mostly shaded walk in the upper Umtanum Creek Canyon to the top of a lovely small falls. RT is only about 2 mi with a few hundred feet elevation change; a little steep in one place and at the falls; rock-hop crossing of the creek may be necessary. With care, one can continue on the trail to the right-hand side of the falls, then descend steeply to the bottom. (Some refreshing wading perhaps?) If more adventure is desired, one can scramble up the south rim and find an old road to explore heading either downstream or upstream. Eventually you will need to return to the creek just above the falls or on a faint trail about 0.5 mi above the falls to return to your car. Discover Pass required for parking. No toilet facilities. The driving distance is long – 240 mi. RT if go through Ellensburg.
Driving directions: (Several miles on dirt.) Two ways to get there or can complete a loop. Take I82/I90 to Ellensburg. Take first exit and turn right onto Canyon Rd. At the traffic light, turn left onto Wenas-Umtanum Rd. You will cross the Yakima River, then veer left but still on Wenas- Umtanum Rd. Stay on this road, which turns to gravel at about 5 mi. At about 11 mi from the freeway exit, find a small, signed parking area on the left. If you want a nice loop drive, continue southish on this road after the hike, which becomes North Wenas Rd. It will eventually take you to the Wenas Wildlife area, then past Wenas Lake, to the north end of Selah. At the outskirts of Selah, look for a triangular junction with highway 823 (Harrison Rd). Turn left onto Harrison Rd which will take you back to I82.