A Yakima favorite
How long is the trail?
Depends. 2.2 miles round-trip but you can connect it to other trails to make it a longer hike.
How difficult is it?
Highlights: out-and-back trail; great views of the valley once you get to the top of the hill; plenty of scents for your dogs to smell; a less trafficked trail; steep for the first half-mile then mostly flat; beware of rattlesnakes during summer months
About the trail: The Summitview Trailhead provides out-and-back access to multiple trails of varying lengths. As seen in the map snapshot below, hiking 0.4 miles from the parking lot will connect you to the Summitview South Loop Trail, which is 1.4 miles long, for a total out-and-back trip of 2.2 miles. Alternatively, continuing straight after the first 0.4 miles will connect you to many other trails, including the Lone Pine Trail, Radio Flyer Loop Trail, and Cowiche Canyon Trail, for multiple longer hike options. The trails here are dirt and gravel; they can be very muddy during winter months and can camouflage sun-bathing rattlesnakes during summer months.
Website for trail conditions and maps: https://www.cowichecanyon.org/trails/
Getting there: Your GPS might not take you to the exact trailhead parking lot. Therefore, here's the GPS coordinates of the trailhead that you can type in your GPS: 46.620623, -120.671808. This trailhead is located immediately off of Summitview Road when driving towards Cowiche. The dirt parking lot is small and can only fit around 5 cars. These parking spaces can get very muddy during winter months due to melting snow and ice. Here is a Google map image of the parking lot/trailhead:
Our experience: The Cowiche Canyon trails beginning at the Summitview Trailhead are some of our favorite hikes in Yakima, and they are especially enjoyable in early spring, when the wildflowers are blooming and there are long-distance views of rolling green hills. We frequent these trails throughout the year because they offer a feeling of being out-in-the-county, away from suburban stress, yet aren't a far drive from the city center. We rarely encounter another person while walking here and the dogs love running off-leash, chasing birds (that they never come close to catching!) and inhaling the plentiful smells of nature.
From the tiny dirt parking lot on Summitview Road, a single dirt track leads up the hillside, ascending in a curving manner. Depending on your level of fitness, the ascent might be a bit challenging, but luckily, it levels off after about 0.4 miles. Shortly after that, the single trail splits into right/left options, or you can continue going straight. We often go right at the first junction, electing to take the Summitview South Loop Trail, which is about 1.4 miles (not including the 0.4 mile hillside ascent/descent). If the visibility is good, this trail offers a great view of Mt. Adams off in the distance, to the west. There's also lovely views of farmland and the aforementioned rolling hills. With its great scenery, low levels of visitation, and permissibility for off-leash dogs, the Summitview Trailhead tops our list of favorite places to start a hike in Yakima.
Things to consider: It's a great idea to check trail conditions (via the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy's website, https://www.cowichecanyon.org/trails/) before driving here, especially during the fall and winter months, when the trails are sometimes closed because of excessive mud. Also be aware that the parking lot does not get plowed when it snows, and the snow often takes awhile to melt, so you might have difficulty parking here during the winter months. In summer, watch out for rattlesnakes sunning themselves on the trails, and also be aware that there is virtually no shade on these trails, so you'll be exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. We don't suggest walking here in the dark, as there are coyotes, and possibly cougars, present, which might pose a threat to your dogs.
Do you know something we don't? Leave a comment below or simply click here to send us a message with updated information about this place.
Kommentare