Black Canyon

Black Canyon cuts through the Wenas Wildlife Area northwest of Yakima, climbing from sagebrush flats into a canyon that burned in the September 2020 Evans Canyon fire. The fire stripped the hillsides bare, and the recovery has produced extraordinary wildflower displays. Spring visits regularly turn up 50-plus species of wildflowers in bloom, with balsamroot, lupine, and lomatium leading the show. Birding is equally strong, with 20-30 species commonly spotted in a single outing.

The trail forks at 1.5 miles, offering two routes to Umtanum Ridge. The left fork climbs steeply and reaches the ridgetop in about a mile. The right fork takes a more moderate grade through the burned forest, gaining the ridge in two miles. Both converge near the crest, where an optional half-mile extension reaches Point 4224 and its full Cascade panorama. The lollipop loop combining both forks covers roughly 12 miles and delivers the best of the canyon.

The drive in on Umtanum Road demands patience. The unpaved section runs long, with ruts and potholes that test low-clearance vehicles. Carry all water needed for the day. No facilities exist at the trailhead or along the route. This is dry, exposed country where ticks and rattlesnakes are active from spring through fall.