[RichP]

With a rainy forecast for almost everywhere, we headed over to the sunny side to check on the flowers. From Ellensburg we took the Umptanum Rd and Wenas Rd over 3127' Ellensburg Pass and dropped down to the pastoral Wenas Valley to find Black Canyon Rd which is in pretty bad shape the last mile. You'll need good clearance and some patience to make it to the end of Black Canyon Rd which is 1.3 miles in length. Alternately, you can park at the wildlife gate and walk the last mile to the trailhead if you have a low slung vehicle. The hiking is pleasant on an old roadbed up the meandering canyon before it joins another road system after 1.5 miles where we took a right at a fork. After the fork this is ORV territory but we saw no vehicles and only one other hiker on a sunny Sunday. Balsamroot is nearing its peak and many other flowers are in various stages of bloom. Lots of grass widows, yellow bells and spring beauties are in the pine forest higher up. Lupine should begin to bloom within a week on the lower slopes of the ridges.

The entry to Black Canyon.

Balsamroot.

The trail is an old road.

An old cabin along the way.

Spring on roadside.

A small pond in the pine forest section.

After reaching the top of Umtanum Ridge at 3.5 miles, we hiked the last 1/2 mile and 300' up to nearby Rattler Benchmark, the highpoint of the ridge, before dropping down on another road which eventually peters out along the dividing ridge of Spud and Black Canyons. This made for a nice loop back to the car.

Umtanum Ridge.

Rattler Benchmark, the highpoint of Umtanum Ridge.

Mucho viento!

Looking east from Rattler Benchmark, 4224.'

We followed the ridge down from Rattler Benchmark.

Lupine ready to bloom.

Spud Canyon and Wenas lake.

The bottom of the ridge that runs between Black and Spud Canyons.

Back to the car at the mouth of Black Canyon to close the loop.

This is a good route if you prefer a loop over an in and out hike and is very scenic. 7 miles and 2000' gain.

[Brushbuffalo]

Nice! I love that ridge. It looks like the flowers are blooming much more than just one week ago.

[wildernessed]

Nice. There is a loop in "Best Desert Hikes Wa." that has two ridges running parallel and you can connect them on the top. I thought it was Hardy and Black Canyon loop ?

[RichP]

[flatsqwerl]

Those east side hills look so inviting when they are green.

[wildernessed]

[RichP]

[feldychi]

Hi there, Thanks for your trip report. I am looking for something for the end of April to take a 13 year old on a first backpack. I love eastern WA and think we could do some version of this. Can you give more details on where the water is located? It has been years since I've been in Black Canyon. Thanks, Carrie

[RichP]

[feldychi]

Thank you. Is this the Yakima DNR map? I don't have it....need to get it! Thanks

[RichP]

[feldychi]

Thanks. Got the maps. One last question......Does anyone have a suggestion for car camping the night before we start somewhere on the way to the TH. We are coming from Seattle and will be arriving in the evening. Or, even is there enough room to car camp at the TH? Thanks, Carrie

[Mountainfisherman]

There is room to car camp at the TH although sometimes it unfortunately serves as a garbage dump. Seem to remember some yard waste there when we hiked it back in March-but you can find a place to camp there or off the road to the TH. Keep a look out for ticks.

[Schroder]

There's a really nice campground about 5 miles from there up Wenas Creek (Auduban Rd). Do NOT go down Maloy Rd. The old guy in the first house will confront anyone driving down "his road".

[Mountainfisherman]

That campground, locally known as Cascade Park won't be open until May 1st. On the Maloy Road deal, the state was able to strike a deal with area landowners for access and have developed a camping area past the private land-some relatively nice outhouses as well. Again, that access closed to May 1.