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!
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Having fun on the East Uplands trail.
View of Cleman Mountain from top of Snow Mountain.
Dogs must be under owner control and on the trail at all times.
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.
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 Trails | Status | Updated |
---|---|---|
Brake B4U Break | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Cliff Path | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Colonel Barnhill | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Cowiche Canyon Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Coyote Way | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
East Uplands Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Fenceline Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Jeep Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Lone Pine Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
North Uplands Loop | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Radio Flyer Loop Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
South Rim Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Summitview Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Summitview South Loop Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Tieton Andesite | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Trail Breaker | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Winery Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Snow Mountain Ranch Trails | Status | Updated |
---|---|---|
Balanced Rock Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Bench Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Cowiche Mountain Trail East | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Cowiche Mountain Trail West | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Ditch Bank Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Garry Oak Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Riparian Overlook Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Riparian Trail East | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Riparian Trail West | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Wildflower Trail | OPEN | 10/18/23 |
Rocky Top Trails | Status | Updated |
---|---|---|
Bench Trail | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Dumb & Dumber | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Dynomite | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Green Harvester | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Ha ha ha ha | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Horse Trail | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Jeff and Axel’s | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Mojo Rising | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Orange Harvester | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Taco Traverse | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Tooled-n-Schooled | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
TNT | CLOSED | 8/23/2023 |
Walk N Roll | OPEN | 8/23/2023 |
Wholly Moses | OPEN | 8/23/2023 |
William O Douglas Trail | OPEN | 8/23/2023 |
Snow Mountain trail
Great Horned owl and her owlets in a snag at the base of the Balanced Rock Trail at Snow Mountain ranch.
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.
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!
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.
Cougars roam in and around Cowiche Canyon and Snow Mountain Ranch.
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:
Snow dog on the Uplands trail!
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
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.
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.