On the Trail

Photo: Michael Northrup

TAKE A HIKE!

Run, walk, hike, or ride!

 

CCC lands are one of Yakima’s many treasures. Our trails take you right out in to the beautiful shrub-steppe – an arid landscape made up of sagebrush and grasslands, flowering meadows, oak woodlands, and basalt cliffs. 

Everything you need to get out and experience shrub-steppe is right here: directions, GPS coordinates, maps, trail conditions, and what to know before you go. Have fun and be safe!

 

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Uplands Hiking Recreation Yakima, WA Trails Shrub-Steppe Donate

If you use the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy trails, please consider a donation to support our work to maintain, protect and expand our trail system. Thank you!

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEADS FROM 40TH AVE & SUMMITVIEW

Cowiche Canyon – West (Weikel)

Head west on Summitview Ave.
In 7.1 miles, turn right onto N Weikel Rd.
In 0.5 miles, turn right onto gravel road to parking lot.  From parking lot, walk east along the gravel road past the house to the TRAILHEAD.
Trailhead GPS: 46.6286296,-120.6599266,16

 

Cowiche Canyon – East

Head north on N 40th Ave.
In 1.3 miles, turn left onto W Powerhouse Rd.
In 1.1 miles, turn left onto Cowiche Canyon Rd.
Go 2.2 miles to the end of the road. The parking lot and TRAILHEAD are on the right.
Trailhead GPS: 46.6214235,-120.6279761,15

 

Cowiche Canyon – Uplands/Scenic

Head west on Summitview Ave.
In 1.6 miles, turn right onto N 66th Ave.
In 0.5 miles, turn left onto Englewood Ave.
In 0.9 miles, turn right on N 80th Ave.
In 0.2 miles, turn left onto Scenic Dr.
Go 0.5 miles. The parking lot and TRAILHEAD are on the right.
Trailhead GPS: 46.6101481,-120.6243069,16

 

Cowiche Canyon – Summitview

Head west on Summitview Ave.
Go 5.9 miles.  A small parking lot and TRAILHEAD are on the right.
Trailhead GPS: 46.6222782,-120.6732304,16

 

Snow Mountain Ranch

Head west on Summitview Ave.
In 8.8 miles, turn left on Cowiche Mill Rd.
Go 2.6 miles. The parking lot and TRAILHEAD are on the left, about 150 meters past the Cowiche Creek Nursery.
Trailhead GPS: 46.6597651,-120.7593044,17

 

NOTE: Due to deed restrictions at Snow Mountain Ranch, mountain biking is prohibited above the ditch bank. It is only allowed in the lowlands. Horseback riding is allowed at Snow Mountain Ranch, but riders must access the trails via Rocky Top due to a turnstile at the SMR trail system entry.

 

Rocky Top

Head west on Summitview Ave.
In 6.3 miles, turn left on Rocky Top Road.
Drive past DTG Recycle about 0.4 miles to the large gravel parking area on the left.
Trailhead GPS: 46.627868, -120.683790

 

Konnowac Pass

Head north on 40th Ave for 1.4 miles.
Take US-12 E to I-82/US-12 E/US-97 S exit on left.
Take Exit 34 for WA-24 E to Moxee.
Turn left onto WA-24 E for 5.6 miles.
Turn right on Faucher Rd and follow for 3.3 miles.
Faucher Rd will turn into Konnowac Pass Rd.
Parking lot and TRAILHEAD are on the right just past Meadowlark Lane.
Trailhead GPS: 46.5058797, -120.3639713

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy elsie take a hike Shirt

Having fun on the East Uplands trail.

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Snow Mountain Hiking Recreation Yakima, WA Photo: Nate Monick Trails
Photo: Nate Monick

View of Cleman Mountain from top of Snow Mountain.

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Dog Hiking Recreation Yakima, WA Photo: Nate Monick
Photo: Nate Monick

Dogs must be under owner control and on the trail at all times.

TRAIL MAPS

ROCKY TOP CLOSURES

As of 9/28/2023, all trails on DTG land at Rocky Top are CLOSED until further notice.  The only trail that remains open and accessible from the Rocky Top trailhead is Wholly Moses. There is no access to the William O Douglas Trail from the Rocky Top Trailhead.

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is working to reconnect the trail system on protected public lands where possible. In the meantime, it is important that visitors to Rocky Top stay on the open public trails and refrain from going off trail or on DTG property to reach other inaccessible trails. User cut trails damage the landscape and create unnecessary work and other challenges for those who maintain the trails.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

PLEASE STAY OFF ANY MUDDY TRAILS FOR THE LONG TERM
HEALTH OF THE TRAIL SYSTEM. IF YOU LEAVE A TRACK, TURN BACK!

Thank you for helping take care of these lands!

Cowiche Canyon TrailsStatusUpdated
Brake B4U BreakOPEN 10/18/23
Cliff PathOPEN 10/18/23
Colonel BarnhillOPEN 10/18/23
Cowiche Canyon TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Coyote WayOPEN 10/18/23
East Uplands TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Fenceline TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Jeep TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Lone Pine TrailOPEN 10/18/23
North Uplands LoopOPEN 10/18/23
Radio Flyer Loop TrailOPEN 10/18/23
South Rim TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Summitview TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Summitview South Loop TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Tieton AndesiteOPEN 10/18/23
Trail BreakerOPEN 10/18/23
Winery TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Snow Mountain Ranch TrailsStatusUpdated
Balanced Rock TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Bench TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Cowiche Mountain Trail EastOPEN 10/18/23
Cowiche Mountain Trail WestOPEN 10/18/23
Ditch Bank TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Garry Oak TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Riparian Overlook TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Riparian Trail EastOPEN 10/18/23
Riparian Trail WestOPEN 10/18/23
Wildflower TrailOPEN 10/18/23
Rocky Top TrailsStatusUpdated
Bench TrailCLOSED8/23/2023
Dumb & DumberCLOSED8/23/2023
DynomiteCLOSED8/23/2023
Green HarvesterCLOSED8/23/2023
Ha ha ha haCLOSED8/23/2023
Horse TrailCLOSED8/23/2023
Jeff and Axel’sCLOSED8/23/2023
Mojo RisingCLOSED8/23/2023
Orange HarvesterCLOSED8/23/2023
Taco TraverseCLOSED8/23/2023
Tooled-n-SchooledCLOSED8/23/2023
TNTCLOSED8/23/2023
Walk N RollOPEN8/23/2023
Wholly MosesOPEN8/23/2023
William O Douglas TrailOPEN8/23/2023
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Trail Shrub-Steppe Yakima, WA Snow Mountain Ranch Recreation Hiking Photo: Michael Northrup Trails
Photo: Michael Northrup

Snow Mountain trail

Great Horned owl owlets Balanced Rock Trail Snow Mountain ranch Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Photo: Kathy Gregory
Photo: Kathy Gregory

Great Horned owl and her owlets in a snag at the base of the Balanced Rock Trail at Snow Mountain ranch.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE TRAIL

Trail Guide

CCC’s Trail Guide Manual (or Docent Manual) offers a concise review of the history of CCC lands as well as colorful descriptions of the most common flora and fauna that you may see or hear on the trails.

 

12 Things to Look For

CCC installed three interpretive signs to improve visitors’ experience on the trail.  The signs are located at either end of the Cowiche Canyon Trail and near the bridge over Cowiche Creek at Snow Mountain Ranch.  Each sign includes 12 Things to Look For while you explore along the trail.  Learn more about the natural history of the lands and the wildlife that inhabit them.

 

A big thank you to Rotary Club of Yakima for providing the funds to produce and install these signs!

Sign Design by Jay Carskadden

A WORD OF WARNING ABOUT WILDLIFE

CCC lands are home to animals that pose safety risks to humans. Cougars, bears, coyotes, and rattlesnakes have all been spotted. These animals deserve your respect. For useful information about what to do if you encounter these animals, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Living With Wildlife portion of their website.

 

WDFW responds to cougar and bear sightings when there is a threat to public safety or property. If it is an emergency, dial 911. If you experience a cougar or black bear problem, and it is not an emergency, contact the South Central region of WDFW (509 575-2740) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Photo: from Wikipedia Commons

Cougars roam in and around Cowiche Canyon and Snow Mountain Ranch.

DOGS

We have a few simple rules about dogs. These rules exist for the health and safety of dogs, owners, trail users, and wildlife.

 

1. Clean up after your dog. This means packing up your dog’s waste to keep our trails and lands clean and healthy.

 

2. Dogs must be under control and on the trail at all times. Dogs should be leashed while in parking lots and at busy trailheads. When off leash, dogs must be under voice control. Dogs are presumed NOT to be under control when:

  • they run off trail.
  • they threaten, harass, or chase wildlife.
  • they physically harm people directly or indirectly with their actions.
  • they touch or jump on other people who have not invited interaction with the dog.
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Snow Dog Hiking Shoes Recreation Yakima, WA Photo: Nate Monick
Photo: Nate Monick

Snow dog on the Uplands trail!

HORSES

Horses and their riders are valued members of our trail-user community. We encourage horse-riding on the main Cowiche Canyon trail (a classic ride!), The Winery Trail, and at Rocky Top, where trails extend all the way to Snow Mountain Ranch. Please note, the Snow Mountain Ranch trailhead is inaccessible to horses. The best parking lots for trailers are the West / Weikel entrance to Cowiche Canyon and Rocky Top.

 

As with all trail users, we expect horse riders to be responsible. Please check trail conditions prior to your trips. Muddy trails should be avoided. They pose extra risk of trail and user damage when used by one ton animals.

 

We do NOT encourage riding on the single track trails of Cowiche Canyon Uplands. As these trails are winding and frequented by bikers and runners and dogs, they pose dangerous risks to horses and riders.

Horses and riders enjoying Rocky Top

SECURITY

Please do not leave valuables in your car. Cars at trailheads are ripe targets for prowlers. Report break-ins to the Sheriff’s office (509-574-2500 or 800-572-0490), and call 911 if you witness suspicious activities.

CAUTION

There is a rockslide on a segment of the trail in the Canyon between Bridges 6 and 7, west of the Uplands Trail and Winery Trail. If you use this segment of the trail, proceed at your own risk, and be very alert for falling rocks in the narrow canyon zones.

TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Stay to the right . . . pass on the left

 

Pedestrians: Be alert for bikers and horseback riders, let them pass on the left.

Bicyclists: Keep your speed down and let pedestrians know you are about to pass. Yield to oncoming horses and pedestrians when possible.

Horseback riders: Use horseback trails, NOT single track trails.

Dog owners: Please pick up after your pets and use a leash.

Parents: Make sure your children follow the rules. No specimen (e.g. rocks, plants, wildflowers) collecting. 

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Share-the-Trail Sign Safe Hiking Yakima, WA

ACTIVITIES NOT PERMITTED

The following activities are not allowed on Cowiche Canyon Conservancy owned lands:

 

  • E-Boards
  • Full throttle or non-pedal assisted e-bikes
  • Hunting
  • Motorized vehicles
  • Livestock grazing
  • Fires
  • Camping
  • Discharge of firearms
  • Road construction
  • Man-made dams
  • Rock climbing
  • Camp stoves or barbeques
  • Construction of buildings
  • Mining, drilling or other ground disturbing activities
  • No specimen collecting
  • Drones are prohibited over CCC airspace
Please report any activities that do not comply with these stated management practices – (509) 248-5065. Thank you!