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Cowiche Canyon

Parent Category: Hiking
in Yakima
Created: 23 April 2014
Length: 6 miles roundtrip
High Point: 1,500 ft
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Information: Family-friendly, Dogs allowed on leash
Features: Basalt rocks, Meadows, Creek, Wildflowers

Photo from Eastern Washington, Yakima, Cowiche CanyonPictures below will take you on a virtual hiking tour! Enjoy views of beautiful Cowiche Canyon!

General Information:

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Area is considered to be a perfect area for outdoor recreation. It offers visitors great hiking opportunities, as well as biking, cross-country skiing, wildlife and bird watching. Cowiche Canyon is located in Yakima and offers great possibilities to escape to peaceful slopes and cliffs, which are full of wildlife.

Photo from Eastern Washington, Yakima, Cowiche Canyon

This conservancy area was founded in 1985 to preserve the beauty of Cowiche Canyon. The territory of the Area is 2,000 acres and comprises about 30 miles of trails that run through grasslands, basalt cliffs and wildflower meadows. All of these trails are considered to be paths through a wild wonderland.

The main trail in Cowiche Canyon is an old rail road that was rebuilt into a usual pathway. Cowiche Canyon Trail runs along the Creek. Hikers will surely enjoy picturesque views of Cowiche Creek and wildflowers that surround it. The trail crosses the creek several times, giving the opportunity to the hikers to see salmon, beavers, great blue herons, crayfish, myriads and other species that adore these waters.

Photo from Eastern Washington, Yakima, Cowiche Canyon

It should be said that Cowiche Canyon Trail is a kids-friendly and well-maintained path. Rock formations that are found along the trail make this area very interesting to the kids. Numerous educational signs tell hikers about the history of the giant rock formations. Such information may be also found on the pictures below. Learn more about the history and enjoy the beauty of the rocks.

The Scenic Trail that is also located here is considered to be one of the most popular among hikers. It is also well-maintained and takes you from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the canyon walls. It offers wonderful views and the possibilities to rest and enjoy peace.

We also recommend keeping watch over the sky and the grounds, because in the sky you may see hawks, eagles and kestrels and under your feet badgers, rabbits, marmots and, of course, snakes.

These pictures were taken on April 10, 2014

Directions:

From I-82:

Take Exit 31A and get on westbound US12. Take Exit 2, which is N. 40th Ave. and Fruitvale Blvd. Drive across Fruitvale and turn right onto Summitview. Continue for about 7.1 miles and then turn right on Weikel Road. In about 0.4 miles turn right at the sign “Cowiche Canyon”.

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Pavlo Petryshyn

Information: Marina Petrova