Two routes from western Washington go into Yakima County. The White and Chinook Passes offer scenic drives with spectacular mountain vistas to Naches and the Yakima Valley.

The Chinook Scenic Byway (also known as the Mather Memorial Parkway) is possibly the most scenic route crossing the Cascade Mountain Range, and it is the most accessible road for viewing Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier National Park (which the byway travels through) was established in 1890, and the Mather Parkway was established in 1931. Because of its National Park status, all features in the park are protected.

The route has a uniquely varied landscape. Traveling east, the route climbs through a closed canopy of Douglas Fir. At Chinook Pass, the roadway descends dramatically through the Wenatchee National Forest and along the American River. The road also passes the unique basalt flows of the Columbia Plateau. The byway ends near the fertile agricultural valleys of Yakima County. As you travel down the Pass stop at Whistlin’ Jack Lodge, an award-winning riverfront restaurant, or spend the night in the newly remodeled lodge or cottages.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department feeds hundreds of elk at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area feeding station (on Highway 12) each winter. A small band of elusive big horn sheep are fed nearby. Although the animals are wild, they are tolerant of visitors.

Besides taking the trails in the area, other activities include wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, or simply car touring up to high lakes, mountain meadows or any of the countless streams throughout this area. Along with fishing, boating and camping is available at nearby Bumping Lake.

White Pass is another beautiful route to the Yakima Valley. A must-see is the Palisades View Point on Highway 12. This 486- foot high canyon is an excellent geological example of columnar jointing. It also provides an excellent backdrop for that special photo.

The Yakima Valley is blessed with excellent weather and has many easy trails and paths to explore. Visit a winery or take home some fruits and vegetables.

Boulder Cave

Directions:
From Naches, drive NW on US 410 (Chinook Pass) for 30 mi to site.

Features:
The paved Boulder Cave trail is approximately 1.5 miles round trip with a 200-foot elevation gain. The Boulder Cave trail starts behind the intrepretive sign in the parking lot. The trail gradually climbs through a forest of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine along the northeast side of Devil Creek. In less than a half mile it reaches a junction. You can take either path to complete the loop. Both trails descend to Devil's Creek before entering the cave. For a totally different look at the topography, take the 3/4-mile River Trail interpretive loop, which is a paved accessible trail that follows the Naches River before returning to the campground and parking area. An interpretive brochure is available at the trailhead. - Photo Credit: Karen Sykes/Seattle PI

Boulder Cave, the largest of its kind in North America, is the home to the Pacific Western Big-Eared Bat and other bat species. The cave is closed November 1 through April 1 to reduce disturbance to the bats.

Most of Washington's caves are limestone caverns or lava tubes, but Boulder Cave was formed from erosion and weathering processes. As lava flows cooled between volcanic eruptions, deposits of soil and loose rock were trapped between hard layers of material. Over time Devil's Creek slowly cut a deep channel through the basalt surface and the softer layer beneath. Eventually a hollow pocket was formed. The pocket collapsed thousands of years ago, forming an archway through which Devil's Creek still flows today.

Other Info:
A $5 fee is charged per vehicle. Bring along a flashlight and water bottle. There is no drinking water available on the trail. For a schedule of Naturalist guided hikes and programs, Please contact the Naches Ranger Station, (509) 653-2205.

Boulder Cave is closed from Nov. 1 through April 1 to protect Townsend's bats, a big-eared species that hibernates and nests there in the winter. Bats survive winter on a limited supply of stored fat and will come out of hibernation if disturbed. Such disruptions deplete their food supply and can result in death. The bats, which once numbered in the thousands, are down to a much smaller population.

Boulder Cave Campground, with parking and a picnic area, is located near the trailhead.

Whislin' Jack Lodge is nearby if you want more comfortable lodging.

Able-bodied companions can take the trail up to Lower Devil Creek Falls. To reach the falls, rock hop upstream from Boulder Caves for about 200 feet around a large boulder to where the falls are visible (you'll hear them before you see them).

Clear Lake Picnic Area (USDA FS)

Directions:
From Naches, drive W on US 12 for 38 mi to Clear Lake turnoff. Turn left. Continue to site located on the N side of lake.

Features:
0.5 mi accessible nature trail with platforms over lake. All facilities are accessible.

Other:
Day use only.

Cowiche Canyon

Directions:
Starting at the 40th Ave/Summitview Ave intersection, drive west 7.2 miles on Summitview Ave. up and over Cowiche Mountain. As you drop into the Cowiche Valley you will see a large, log veterinary clinic on the right side of the road. Turn right onto Weikel Road just past this log structure. Drive Weikel Road 0.5 miles and turn right onto the second gravel driveway (just in front of an old fruit warehouse) where Weikel Road takes a sharp turn north. The parking area is marked a couple hundred feet ahead.

If you want to make a one way trip, leave a car or arrange to be picked up at the east trailhead. To reach the upper trailhead, follow the above directions but, from Summitview, go right on 74th St. This connects to Englewood at a "T". Go left to the top of the hill where it dead-ends at 80th. Go left on 80th (a dirt road, but fine) and follow it to the trailhead.

Features:
In the early 1900's this easy, flat rail-trail was a railroad grade, built through the canyon as a way to ship fruit and produce to and from the farming communities of Cowiche and Tieton. The 6 mile round trip trail winds through Cowiche Canyon and its lush riparian and not so lush shrub-steppe habitat. The trail follows Cowiche Creek, crossing it several times via bridges and one concrete structure.

The wild flowers are fantastic from April through early June. Pack your wildflower and bird guides as well as a pair of binoculars. There are some informational kiosks if you take the canyon bottom trail from the lower parking area.

Other Info:

Bring water. A portable restroom is at the lower trailhead. Rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison ivy are frequently encountered in the canyon, so watch your step and keep your dog leashed and on the wide trail. Another reason to keep your dog on a leash is that the bridges have no railings. In the Spring, the creek is turbulent making it potentially dangerous even tough the bridges are sturdy and wide.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area (WDFW)

Directions:
20 miles west of Yakima on US-12.

Features:
Wildlife viewing area - bighorn sheep, deer, eagles and, if you're extremely fortunate, a cougar perched on the canyon's rimrock. Visit here on your way to some of the trails in the area such as Cowiche.

Other:
Elk viewing shelter, RV camping, telephone. Accessible restrooms, camping (RV sites), water, picnic tables, Interpretive station, shelter. Known for its Winter elk and bighorn sheep feeding station.

Lower Yakima Valley Pathway

Directions:
Sunnyside to Prosser.

Sunnyside Trailhead - Follow I-82 to Sunnyside and take exit 67. Turn right onto Yakima Valley Highway and proceed to 16th Street. There is a park-and-ride lot at the start of the trail.

Grandview Trailhead - Take exit 73 (Stover Road) to Grandview and turn southeast toward town. You'll find a park-and-ride lot just south of Stover Road.

Prosser Trailhead - Take Prosser exit. The trailhead is on the north side of the Yakima River bridge going into Prosser.

Features:
14 miles, wheelchair accessible, multipurpose trail with asphalt surface. This rail-trail is located next to busy highway, I-82 and serves as a non-motorized route between local communties.

The Lower Valley County Park is about 2 miles from the Sunnyside Trailhead. The park has restrooms, water, and shade.

Other Info:
There are many local wineries, landmarks, and farmers and orchardists fruit and vegetable stands along Interstate 82 through the north end of the Yakima Valley. Winery tour brochures are available from regional chambers of commerce, the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau or from the wineries.

In Zillah visit the Teapot Dome gas station at exit 54. It's a relic of the "highway culture" trend in the 1920s and '30s. Take a car tour along Zillah's 10-mile Fruit loop tour through orchards in the hills above Zillah.

Yakima Greenway Trail

Directions:
To get to Rotary Lake (a suggested starting point), exit Interstate 82 at Valley Mall Boulevard. Head north on First Street, turn right on I Street, right on Fourth Street, right on R Street, then follow the dirt road under the freeway to the lake parking lot. The trail is accessible from all parks and landings in Yakima.

Features:
The Yakima Greenway Trail, lined by three parks, two lakes and four river access points, offers scenic beauty stretching for 10 miles. A recommended route begins at Rotary Lake, stretches past a playground at Sunrise Rotary Park and extends into the Yakima Arboretum and Botanical Garden. [Trail Map]

Other Info:
The arboretum, which is open during all daylight hours, is three miles south of Rotary Lake and offers literature for free self-guided tours. Also see Yakima Greenway website.

Sunnyside Wildlife Area (WDFW)

Directions:
Take exit 67 from I-82 and go south on Midvale Rd to Green Valley Rd. Go west for 1 mile, then turn left (south) onto Snipes Pump Rd to wildlife area.

Features:
Maintained natural road system may be suitable for wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms and fishing. Wildlife Viewing - Duck blind at Giffin Lake, by reservation only. Dock/float, boat launch available. Camping area not wheelchair accessible.

South Climb Trailhead (USDA FS)

Directions:
From Trout Lake, go N on FS 80. FS 80 becomes FS 8040. Continue for about 10 mi on FS 8040 to end of road.

Features:
Accessible but difficult 0.5 mi trail.

Other Info:
Accessible restrooms. Departure point for climbers ascending Mt. Adams. July 12-13, 2001
Mount Adams, situated in the eastern Cascade range, east of Mount Saint Helens and north of Mount Hood, is the second most massive and the third tallest volcano in the Cascade range. It's eruptive volume is about 48 cubic miles and only Mount Shasta is larger in volume in the Cascades. About 60% of the mountain is in the Mount Adams Wilderness while the remainder (the East Side) was returned to the Yakima Indian Reservation.

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.