Where to Wander in the Yakima Valley
While the Yakima Valley’s summertime highs give way to cooler days you can still count on reliably sunny skies and few drizzly days. From trails to waterways around the valley, fall is the perfect time of year to escape outdoors for a variety of adventures.
Fall Colors in Cowiche Canyon
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (CCC) protects more than 7,000 acres of shrub steppe landscape made up of sagebrush and grasslands, flowering meadows, oak woodlands, and basalt cliffs. They maintain more than 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, running, horseback riding and snowshoeing, all open dawn to dusk to enjoy and connect with this unique scenery. In the fall, the trail winding through the canyon itself, along Cowiche Creek is lined by reds, yellows and greens of sumac, birch, and lichen. Find maps on their site to enjoy the full network of CCC trails. Be sure to check out their schedule of seasonal educational walks and activities.
From the lower Cowiche Canyon trail, you’ll find a well-markedside trail up to the canyon rim where you’ll findWilridge Vineyard, Winery, and Distillery. In the fall enjoy a scenic walk through fall vineyards, which deliver their own display of fall colors. Of course, leave time for a leisurely glass of wine on their lawn or the patio of the historic farmhouse tasting room. While you enjoy a tasting flight, pick up a Hiker Club Card. On your third hike, receive $5 your purchase at the winery.
Cycle Yakima is a new addition to the valley, offering a range of rides from mountains to roadways. Their e-bike tours combine nostalgic fun with modern adventure whether you’re a regular rider or you’re rediscovering the joy of cycling. Guide Kyle Bisconer will work with you to choose the perfect route for your scenic rides. One of the most popular routes takes you through the Cowiche Canyon landscapes with stops brewery and winery stops. During fall fall rides, try a fresh hop ale and perfect brewery bites and Cowiche Creek Brewing Co. For winery stops, they’ll even transport your wine purchases for you! For something special, book an e-bike date night, complete with a picnic.
Fall Fly Fishing
The top-rated Yakima River and picturesque Naches River both promise prime fall fishing for all levels. It’s no secret among avid anglers that fall is actually one of the best times of year for fishing in the Yakima River Canyon. After the summer heat gives way to cooler days, lower water flows and reliably good hatches make this stretch of the Yakima River a renowned destination for fly fishing.
The nearby Naches River is known for its wilder waters, especially in early summer. In fact, the river’s name comes from early indigenous peoples, roughly translated as “Natchez,” or “rough, turbulent water.” The river’s flows become much calmer in the fall, making it a great destination for wade fishing. In addition to lower flows, you’re also likely to find peaceful spots for fishing.
Check out guided wade fishing trips on the Naches with Red’s Fly Shop. Of course, they offer their full and half-day guided excursions on the Yakima and their fishing education programs well into fall. For fishing experiences especially for women, check out the dedicated wading trips on the Naches and trout taxi outings on the Yakima. For something special this fall, consider the Women’s Fly Fishing Rendezvous for a full day of connection, empowerment, and outdoor adventure.
Pack a Picnic
In the fall, the Yakima Area Arboretum is vibrant with a full spectrum of colors. Their 46 acres of land is home to more than 1,100 trees and shrubs and more than 300 roses and plants that fill the display gardens. There are plants and trees native to the Yakima River Watershed ranging from the shrub steppe to the sub-alpine to the riparian. Over the coming weeks, watch for their beautiful landscapes to be filled with fall colors from oak, maple, fruit trees, hawthorne, beech and many more trees and shrubs to create the perfect backdrop for a fall picnic. Bring a blanket or find one of their many benches for a perfect picnic.
Adjacent to the arboretum, the paved 20-mile Yakima Greenway pathway stretches along the Yakima and Naches Rivers, running west to the town of Naches. Along the way find parks, river access landings, nature trails, fishing lakes and protected natural areas.
Looking for picnic supplies? Stop by Provisions Restaurant + Market. The market is stocked with a wide selection of pre-made salads and spreads, cheeses, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and a fantastic salad and sandwich bar.
Climbing the Tieton River Canyon
The dramatic volcanic geology of the Tieton River Canyon makes it a destination-worthy road trip along Highway 12. It’s also one of Washington’s best rock climbing destinations, especially during the cooler fall days. Climbers travel from throughout region to test themselves on hundreds of different routes within a short drive from Yakima. Along a 40-mile stretch of the highway, you’ll find climbing to suit just about every style and ability, including the well-known Royal Columns. The recently published book, Climb Tieton, is your definitive guide to climbing in the Tieton River area. Order it online or pick up a copy at High Steppe Climbing Center, Yakima’s indoor climbing gym. Open seven days a week for climbing sessions, they’re also a great source for climbing around the area.
Top Trails for Fall Mountain Biking
Fall could be the very best time for a mountain biking adventure in just about any direction around the Yakima Valley. From wide open, sage-covered landscapes and river-side, forested trails to mountain top views, the mountain bike trails in and near the Yakima Valley are truly one of a kind. No matter your skill level or age, there’s someplace special for you on your next two-wheeled adventure. Check Out all the Biking Trails
Trails Worth a Road Trip
From Yakima, short drives in nearly every direction take you to trails worth the trip this fall. Don’t miss the window for a drive from Yakima along Chinook Pass Scenic Byway. Plan your timing carefully! Chinook Pass will close for the winter season, usually in November. That still leaves time to take in the dramatic geology, as well as the landscapes that change from shrub steppe terrain and idyllic orchards to subalpine forests. See the colors shift along the drive. Near Chinook Pass, a little more than an hour from Yakima, find several hikes to take in the fall colors, including two local favorites – Sheep Lake and the easy trail around Tipsoo Lake, known for iconic reflections of Mount Rainier.
On your way there or back, be sure to stop for picturesque, riverside dining at Whistlin’ Jack’s Outpost & Lodge. Watch their calendar for live music in the evening and leave time to take a stroll along the riverbank enjoy the fall colors or or linger by the firepit. Whistlin’ Jack’s also makes for a perfect wintertime getaway, located before the highway 410 winter closure point, about 40 miles from Yakima.
You’ll find more than fall fly fishing this time of year in the Yakima River Canyon! Umtanum Creek Canyon is one of the best places around to see fall colors. The creek wines through towering basalt formations and deciduous trees and shrubs line the streamside with vibrant colors. You just might spot bighorn sheep. Of course, the iconic Umtanum Creek Bridge makes for a great photo op!
Just about 30 miles west of Yakima, Ahtanum State Forest covers more than 75,000 acres filled with trails that deliver truly memorable mountain views. Choose from miles of trails, most of them a part of the 500+ mile green dot road network. Explore the diverse forests, creeks and rivers. Take in spectacular views from Whites Ridge trail and the Eagle’s Nest Vista. These multi-use trails are open not only to hikers, but also for horseback riding, motorized vehicles. In fact, if you’re looking for hills to climb and trails to blaze, this is your destination for off-road adventures. When the snow falls in the winter, the state grooms nearly 70 miles of the trails for those who prefer to explore via snowmobile.
Photos by Shannon Mahre, Whistlin’ Jack’s Outpost & Lodge and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Outdoor Recreation