Sunday, April 15, 2012

Cowiche Canyon


When you live on the wet side of the mountains like I do and go through a cold wet winter like we did, the dream of spring comes with the 1st day of March. And so it was that I sat daydreaming out a rain soaked window wishing for sunny skies & wildflowers when my partner in hiking emailed that she would love to have me co-lead a Conditioning Hike in Cowiche Canyon. I of course said "Well, Heck Yeah!" Cowiche Canyon is near Yakima - on the sunny dry side of the state & we can usually find wildflowers aplenty in March.

However, when it came time for our hike my friend showed up sick and begged me to take over for her. Well, that is why I was there - as her backup plan. We left her behind & drove through showers & snow to arrive in Yakima to partly cloudy skies. Oh Hallelujah! Just what I had been daydreaming of, now if only we'd find the flowers too.

We started off in the canyon marveling at the columnar basalt and lichens, crossing over Cowiche Creek several times. A few flowers were blooming. We made it to bridge 8 and started our climb out of the canyon along the uplands trail. And sure enough, we were soon greeted by Yellow Bells, Grass Widows, Prairie Violets and other small lovelies.

Lunch was eaten on an outcrop overlooking the canyon & out of the wind. Then we crossed back over bridge 8 to climb the vineyard trail to the wine tasting room on the other side of the canyon. In the rocks as we hiked Yellow-Bellied Marmots played. It was with some regret when it was time to head home - the sun was so warm & lovely on our faces.