Yakima Canyon
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Region: Central WA
Best Season: Fall
Difficulty: Advanced
Primary Bike Surface: Rough jeep track or paved Hwy
Passes/Permits: WA Discover Pass
Water Length: 17.5 mi
Bike Length: 26 mi
Suggested Bike Route Maps:
Adventure Std: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38137170
Hike-a-bike Adventure: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/79587406
Paved Hwy: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38137475
Recommended Trip Type: One-Stop Adventure (what’s this?)
Parking: Ringer South, Mile Post 8 Launch, Several other options along the river.
Description:
This river section is very scenic and popular with anglers in drift boats. In the summer it's also popular with recreational floaters. The river flows well year round, but flows are generally higher in summer due to irrigation demand. There are many river access sites to shorten the trip. The trip provides several different bike options. The most basic and beginner friendly is to ride the paved hwy 821 that follows the river. For those that prefer a more exciting off-road adventure the land west of the canyon provides plenty of terrain to explore by MTB. There are only a few logical access points on the west side of the river. The first is Umtanum Creek trailhead (River ~8mi). From this point it's a long tough climb (hike-a-bike) up over 2000ft to gain the Umtanum Ridge via the Skyline Trail (Note: this trail is not shown on the green dot trails map, but is shown on google bicycle maps). From the ridge head West along the jeep trail until Durr road. Durr road can complete the loop back North to the put-in or you can continue further into the hills for additional adventure. The second access point on the West side of the river is near Roza Creek (River 17mi) just upstream of the MP8 Boat Launch Site. From the take-out here on the West side of the river there are a few options on the bike. One is to join the Skyline trail to the NW and Hike-a-bike up 2000ft elevation to join the Umtanum Ridge jeep track (see hike-a-bike Adventure map). The other option is to continue on abandoned double-track along the Roza Creek drainage eventually connecting to Durr Road (see Adventure Std map). This second option is longer, but has more gentile elevation gains. Note: On the Evergreen website below on the Umptanum area pdf map there are two tempting trails that no longer exist due to wildfire damage. Do not rely on "Break on Through to the Other Side" and "No Country for Old Men" https://www.trailforks.com/report/1170860/ The area is pretty remote, so make sure you are well prepared with water and supplies. The canyon could make for a nice multi-day trip as there are several campgrounds along the river and the Wenas Wildlife area offers miles of exploring. It can be very hot terrain in the summer, but the river generally runs well in the fall. Do not attempt after a spring thaw or heavy rains as the tracks will become impassable due to mud.
PRO Tip: Call a local fishing guide service prior to ask about river conditions. The prevailing winds will likely cause the ride/hike-a-bike into a headwind and it can blow hard on top of the ridges. Look at the wind forecast and be prepared. Hunters may be present in Fall. It’s possible to extend the paddle by putting in at Irene waterfront park in Ellensburg for an additional ~5mi, but there are typically more wood hazards in the river from E-burg to Ringer south.
Camping: There are several options along the river in the canyon: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250985 If attempting to camp west of the canyon sourcing water could be difficult. Umtanum creek usually has water. Some springs are marked on the green dot map, but no guarantees of water.
Water Flow: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12484500/#parameterCode=00065
References:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/11x17_greendot_wenas.pdf
https://www.evergreenmtb.org/trails/manastash-ridge
Hazards: River current, strainers, Summer Heat
Disclaimer: While we strive to present accurate information, the earth is not static. Conditions change, information may become outdated, and some things you read on the internet just may not be true. If you run across any information that needs updated please Contact Us and let us know. You alone are responsible for your safety. Treat this information as a preliminary guide only. You must evaluate conditions and your experience level to determine your own safety. The authors of this website are not held responsible for your safety.
Photos by Glenn Rogers