Day Hike - Yakima Skyline Ridge

9:30am, Cheveron gas station/Subway just off I-82 Exit 26 (SR 821 exit) in Selah

9 miles, 2000ft. gain.

The first of my Yakima Canyon Wildflower Hike Series. This hike is at the southern end of the canyon near Selah. We will start at the lower trailhead on Buffalo Road, hike to the top of the ridge enjoying views of the Yakima Valley, then follow the ridge to a 3200ft. summit enjoying views into the canyon and Roza Dam. Lupine and Balsalmroot are the main flowers of the canyon but there are lots of other smaller species too. There will be a trail running race here on the same day, so we will have to expect a lot of traffic on the trail and yield to the racers.

I am leading a hike up Umtanum Ridge (via Umtanum Creek Recreation Area bridge) the next day, Sunday 4/19. I am thinking of camping Saturday night at one of the nice campgrounds in the Yakima Canyon and perhaps do some sort of cookout.

Umtanum Ridge hike: https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/activities/day-hike-umtanum-ridge-3