Waterworks Canyon in Winter - March 2017

So it's been a very frozen winter in Yakima. I have had not a whole lot of luck finding winter hikes. On the west side, the snow doesn't linger in the lowlands, but here it stays FOREVER. I think I need snowshoes.

I first attempted to do the Tieton River Nature Walk, because it looked flat and easy. It was not clear...

Doggo is not impressed

I was punching holes in the snow and ice two feet deep. Without snowshoes, it was a hopeless endeavor.

Fortunately, I had recently purchased a book by Tami Asars that showed me another hike just up the street. I went to visit it with some success. The east wall of the canyon was still snow-covered, but the west wall was thawed enough I got some hiking in for about a mile up the canyon. So this is the best I've managed this winter season.

Waterworks Canyon
WA State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
Parking permit: Discover Pass ($10/day or $30/year)

To get to the trailhead, take Hwy 12 west out of Yakima and past Naches. At the junction with 410, stay straight on 410. Half a mile down the road just past a small bridge, the parking is to your immediate right. You'll need a Discover Pass for parking.

There's a wildlife gate at the trailhead. Make sure you close and lock it up behind you.

There was patchy snow on the trail, but I was able to follow it for a mile. I made a couple different creek crossings that were not described in the trail guide, so I'm not sure I followed *the* formal trail, but I followed *something* for a mile.

Note the elk scat at the bottom of the picture

The trail goes through the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. There are tons of elk in the area, and down the street is a feeding area where you can watch them get fed every afternoon in the winter months.  I did not see any live elk on this venture, but there was just so much elk scat you guys. There were parts of the trail where there was more scat than dirt to hike on. Just...so much scat. I can't emphasize that enough.

Another creek crossing that wasn't in the guidebook...hmmm

I followed the trail up until it crossed over onto the east wall where snowshoes would have been needed.

One half of the canyon is snowier than the other.

Snowy patches on the west wall of the canyon were passable.

I reached a steepish portion where I almost turned back, but decided to press on...

...where I lost the trail as it faded into nothing.

Missing: a visible trail

I backtracked to where I thought I saw it cross the creek into the snow, and left it there since I was not equipped to continue. If you go up far enough in a fairer season, you eventually come across a spring that feeds the creek. There are trails that lead up the canyon ridges as well, and there are wildflowers in the spring. It was too muddy and snowy this time though, but I will certainly make a return trip when it is more thawed.

Nothing but snow and elk scat this time of year.

Water in three forms: vapor, liquid in the creek, and ice on the hills