Hiking Trails around Yakima, WA

[ars2210]

First post, but I thought this might be one that would at least get some response. I've been lurking around and learning since sometime around February and just recently jumped on the tracker. Anyway, on to what I wanted to ask. I'm TDY Thursday to Yakima, Washington with the only full day scheduled for Friday and am supposed to fly back Saturday morning. I was thinking about taking an extra day there, exploring the area a little, and heading back home Sunday. I was wondering if anyone familiar with the area had any advice on any good hiking trails that possibly wouldn't last the entire day yet still offered some nice scenery. Was thinking about heading to Rainier, but if there was something closer to Yakima so I could get back to the airport at a decent time, that would be great. I'd most likely try to set up my hammock somewhere off the trail to sleep, so I'm not too worried about lodging nearby. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks and I've really enjoyed following the conversation on here when I have the time.

 

[nnuut]

Welcome ars2210, I don't hike but there are probably some on the board that do.
Best of luck.
Norman

 

[burrocrat]

if there was something closer to Yakima ... Any suggestions are welcome.

You could always head to Wenatchee, take a good walk, see what tomorrow brings, they have some nice girls up there, Birchtree can fill you in on the details, go north young man.

 

[alevin]

Or...if you really just want to go for a hike, crws might be able to fill you in if he shows up this week. He grew up in that general vicinity. He's been pretty low profile lately tho-all that USPS biz goin on.

 

[Rod]

Bring your bear spray, and let me know if you run into the Big Guy.

 

[ArchAngel]

Not much in Yakima, more of a desert than anything else. I agree with Burro, Wenatchee is really nice as is the Walla Walla area and not too terribly far from Yakima.

Oh, welcome!!!

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

Bring your bear spray, and let me know if you run into the Big Guy.

I don't think he'll be around. He's pretty upset with us, after the "Messin with Sasquatch" commercials.:blink:

 

[Handballer]

Welcome to our world. I hike but not in the area. Sleeping in your hammock may invite more company than you desire. :nuts:

 

[ars2210]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It turned out I couldn't get a flight rescheduled for Sunday that didn't cost about $100 more, so I ended up leaving out Saturday. We finished up pretty early Friday, so was able to drive up to Cle Elum to stay (they had a gov rate for Friday where Yakima did not). Pretty cool drive by the way, seeing Mt Adams and Mt Rainier peering over the top of the dessert mountains. From there I drove up to the Snoqualmie Pass area and did some fairly short hikes up that way. Franklin Falls was a easy hike but provided a great view of probably a 75 foot or so waterfall with a picturesque back drop.

ArchAngel you were correct about it being a dessert out there in Yakima. And I was kinda hesitant about the hammock and bears/sasquatch anyway, and you guys didn't help ease that. Probably best that part didn't work out

Thanks again for the replys and looking forward to making some money here in the future.