Forum Index > Trip Reports > Waterworks Canyon Loop (Cleman Mtn) March 30-31, 2017
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RichP
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
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RichP
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PostSat Apr 01, 2017 10:18 am 
We thought we'd try an overnighter and loop hike in Waterworks Canyon on the south side of Cleman Mtn which is known for its varied flor and fauna. Originally hoping to camp up high, we soon changed plans when brisk winds convinced us a more sheltered spot would be wise. We found a flat area about 3 miles up the canyon to pitch the tents beside the creek and trail in the late afternoon. The winds were still fierce through most of the night and seemed to gust down into the canyon which brought the roof of my tent onto my face several times. In the wee hours the wind finally abated and sleep was possible.
Meystre Canyon and Cleman Mtn from Naches.
Meystre Canyon and Cleman Mtn from Naches.
Parking area and gate for Waterworks Canyon.
Parking area and gate for Waterworks Canyon.
Green hillsides.
Green hillsides.
Aspen groves in the canyon.
Aspen groves in the canyon.
A short forested section in the canyon.
A short forested section in the canyon.
Aspens.
Aspens.
Bedding down for the night.
Bedding down for the night.
The morning dawned clear and chilly and off we went to the upper part of the canyon. The main trail passes a cairned junction on the right for a shorter loop which climbs up to cross over Point 3582 on the east rim and drops steeply back to the parking area. Beyond this junction the trail in the canyon eventually becomes intermittent and finally disappears altogether. Game trails appear here and there but the hiking is not difficult though sidehilling on loose rocks is the norm. We arrived to a split in the upper canyon and decided to head directly upslope to the top of the ridge at just over 4900.' The views were far a wide from the long undulating ridge of Cleman. We walked about a mile west toward the summit but it was still 2 more miles to this 5115' point which was not our goal on this day. We found a nice viewpoint to look down on the Wenas Valley and decided we would go no further.
Arch in basalt.
Arch in basalt.
Ridgewalker.
Ridgewalker.
Off trail in the upper canyon.
Off trail in the upper canyon.
Nice rack, dude.
Nice rack, dude.
Leaving the canyon and walking the final slopes to the top of the ridge.
Leaving the canyon and walking the final slopes to the top of the ridge.
Looking down Waterworks Canyon to point 3582.
Looking down Waterworks Canyon to point 3582.
The top of the ridge.
The top of the ridge.
Rainier from near the top of the ridge.
Rainier from near the top of the ridge.
The summit is still a couple of miles away.
The summit is still a couple of miles away.
Stuart Range.
Stuart Range.
Looking down Sanford Canyon on our ridge walk.
Looking down Sanford Canyon on our ridge walk.
Larches on Cleman Mtn.
Larches on Cleman Mtn.
"Let's just call it good here". Don's pic.
"Let's just call it good here". Don's pic.
The best part of the hike was the walk down the east rim of the canyon along a broad ridge to Point 3582 and back to the car. The lower section past 3582 is steep but very scenic. We saw at least 150 bighorns along the way and closed the loop just before the gate.
The big wide open.
The big wide open.
Heading down the east rim of Waterworks.
Heading down the east rim of Waterworks.
Downward...
Downward...
Taking in the views.
Taking in the views.
Meystre Canyon.
Meystre Canyon.
Western Fence Lizard.
Western Fence Lizard.
Walking the line.
Walking the line.
Geo cache on Point 3582.
Geo cache on Point 3582.
Naches from Point 3582.
Naches from Point 3582.
Register.
Register.
Confluence of Tieton and Naches Rivers.
Confluence of Tieton and Naches Rivers.
A lone fir tree and view of upper Waterworks Canyon.
A lone fir tree and view of upper Waterworks Canyon.
Almost back down.
Almost back down.
Sagebrush violet.
Sagebrush violet.
The flowers are just beginning to sprout and are still a few weeks off. No ticks or rattlers (yet). The canyon is very nice but next time I'd like to hike up the east rim and down the west for different loop. On the way out we stopped in nearby Tieton for Mexican food at Fernando's which offers very inexpensive and tasty home cooked meals along with friendly banter. https://www.yelp.com/biz/fernando-mexican-food-tieton 8 miles and 3500' gain. Approximate route.

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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostSat Apr 01, 2017 11:51 am 
I like "The Big Wide Open" shot. It led me to imagine what the western side peaks would look like without the blanket of trees (nothing against trees though). Looks like a really fun trip. Thanks for keeping up the flower watch!

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