plan your trip at visityakima.com 39 TOP TRAILS FOR SPRING/SUMMER HIKING & BIKING OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Explore trails year-round, ranging from the rolling grass and sage-covered plains and hills of the shrub-steppe to dramatic, volcanic formations, subalpine meadows, forested terrain and more. Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep, elk, raptors and other wildlife. Photos by Shannon Mahre Enjoy the most blooms from mid-April until late May or early June, with dense carpets of flowers in every color, from bright yellows and shades of orange to a multitude of purples and pinks. Most common wildflowers include balsamroot, lupine, larkspur, purple bitterroot, big head clover, phlox and violets. • Snow Mountain Ranch in the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Trail System delivers dramatic valley and mountain views. • Yakima Skyline Trail climbs to traverse the rim of the stunning Yakima River Canyon below. • Umtanum Creek Trail to Umtanum Ridge travels through grassy slopes, aspen and willow groves, a dramatic canyon and peaceful meadows. On the Yakima Valley’s hot, sunny summer days, begin your hikes and bike rides early in the day and choose trails with shady, picturesque picnic spots. • Cowiche Canyon Conservancy East Trail/Winery Hike winds along Cowiche Creek through the canyon to the winery hike detour. Stroll through the vineyards and then picnic on the grassy lawn of Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery. • Boulder Cave Trail offers a short, easy hike to the 400-foot-deep Boulder Cave, home to a fragile big-eared bat colony. Picnic at the covered day use area and enjoy the Naches River. *Timed Reservation System • Cleman Mountain/Waterworks Canyon features two hike options and plenty of picnic spots with valley views. SPRINGTIME WILDFLOWER HIKES SUMMER’S PERFECT PICNIC SPOTS aCLEMAN MOUNTAIN aSNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH
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