Cowiche Canyon Spring Hike - WA Wine Country Style!

Take in the beauty of wildflowers blooming in spring!

Explore a scenic canyon!

Savor wine tasting at a 100 year old farmhouse!

The Cowiche Canyon Trail originally was an old railroad spur which features 9 railroad trestle bridges. The entire Cowiche Canyon trail is a easy 2.9 family walk on a gravel trail along the Cowiche Creek with side trails bringing the total to 14 miles of trails in two locations with four trailheads.

The main trail is obvious, but there are also some side trails. After Bridge 8, there is a signed junction for the Uplands Trail taking you up to 360 degree views of Yakima and on a clear day, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. Blooming spring flowers make this a great hike with over 200 species of red, yellow and purple native plants, wildflowers and interesting rock formations.

Alternatively you may start at the Tasting Room Yakima at the 1900's era farmhouse with a deck for outside picnicking and relaxing, families welcome. Featuring over 25 wines for tasting from 4 wineries, Wilridge, Naches Heights wines are among those featured. If you are bringing a picnic lunch, stop, at the Tasting Room Yakima your lunch will be refrigerated while you explore the canyon, afterwards and you can savor wine tasting, relax and enjoy your meal. Wilridge Winery Trail is a half-mile long side trail connecting the winery on Naches Heights with the Cowiche Canyon Trail. You will walk past Winemaker Paul Beveridges’ organic vineyard, where he uses a biodynamic approach to growing a number of different grape varieties.

Wilridge Winery Trail is the small trail going up the hill.

Directions to the Tasting Room Yakima: From I-82 West or East. Exit Hwy 12 West (Naches/White Pass) Exit Fruitvale / N. 40th Ave. Right at W. Powerhouse Rd. (2nd light) Left at Naches Heights Rd. Travel 2.5 miles, Left at Ehler Rd
Directions to Trailheads: You may also start at either end of the Cowiche Canyon trail and take the side trail up to the winery. The Canyon Trail is accessible from the Scenic drive parking lot via the Uplands Trail, the Wiekel Road parking lot located west of the trail, or from the east via Cowiche Canyon Road (very limited parking). From Yakima travel west on Summitview Avenue about ten miles to Wiekel Road. Turn right on Wiekel Road; follow the signs to the Wiekel Road parking lot.

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

Yakima River Canyon Marathon & Bike Ride

Run A 26.2 mile marathon , take a bike ride with the family and enjoy the views along the way.
The Yakima River Canyon, framed by sheer basalt rock cliffs, rising 2,000 feet above the river. You will find the densest concentration of nesting hawks, eagles and falcons in the state, and the endangered basalt daisy, growing only in the Yakima River Canyon. The canyon is known for excellent Blue Ribbon fly fishing. In the summertime many float down the river on inner tubes, kayak or rafting for a relaxing and refreshing time. The Bureau of Land Management maintains campsites along the canyon and charges a minimal overnight fee for camping. The Umptanum Recreation area features a hike across the suspension foot bridge over the Yakima River into the scenic canyon area.

11th Annual Yakima River Canyon Marathon

Ellensburg to Selah, WA

Saturday April 2, 2011 8:00 am

The Yakima River Canyon Marathon, Saturday April 2, 2011 is a scenic point-to-point marathon course offering spectacular views of the Yakima River Canyon. Starting on Canyon Road .2 mile south of the Berry Road intersection in Ellensburg, Washington, the course follows the Yakima River downstream. The asphalt surfaced highway finishes in rural Selah, Washington, bringing runners to the Yakima Valley orchard and ranch country. The Yakima River Canyon Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles and is USATF certified.

Race Headquarters: Selah Civic Center 216 South 1st Street Selah, WA

Runner Testimonial...
"A marathon that you really should consider for the whole weekend's experience is the Yakima River Canyon. It simply beats any other marathon experience PERIOD...not ready for a marathon, who cares? There are many, many slow runners and walkers and they are as well embraced, perhaps more so, than the front runners.
You'll rub elbows with many wide-eyed first timers and many knurly veterans that will astound middle of the packers, back of the packers, all equals at the end of the day."


Attend the Awards Ceremony and Pasta Feed with guest speaker Dick Beardsley: International best selling author and motivational speaker.
Relax after the exhilarating race with new friends, attend a show at Selah’s' newest venue, Carmen’s Comedy Club or Expore downtown Yakima, enjoy live music, wine tasting and art gallery walk.



Your Canyon For A Day! Bike Tour

They are closing down the Yakima River canyon for you and your family to take a ride on your bikes and enjoy the scenery!
Sunday May 22, 2011 9:00am to 3:00pm

A perfect ride for the whole family!

A 35-mile round trip ride, a great family event, riding through the scenic Yakima River Canyon. The road follows the Yakima River up a gentle grade with few hills. The highway will be closed to thru- traffic. PRE-REGISTER before May 1, 2011 to get your a free t-shirt mailed to you..

Begin the ride from either the South-Yakima end of the canyon or on the North-Ellensburg end of the canyon. The staging area is at the Roza Recreation Site at milepost 7 on SR 821 for those coming from the South-Yakima end.

Enjoy the beauty of the canyon with your family!

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive additional information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.