Checking Out The Burn

Last July there was a big fire over in the Yakima Valley. This is not too unusual, as wildfire often starts in the dry side. Earlier that year I had observed the workers at the Hanford reservation cutting and burning back the edges along the road to protect the reservation from fires due to careless drivers and the wildfires that swept down the hills onto the reservation.

When I heard on the news that the fire was on the Snow Mountain Ranch, my heart sank.

This beautiful property is held by the Cowechee Canyon Conservancy and I had paid (and told you about) a visit in March of 2010. Saturday I wanted to escape, yet again, the dreary weather of Puget Sound. Yakima is usually a good bet for fair skies. Usually.

Not today.

As soon as I gained the properly I saw evidence of the fire, a burned corral fence.

I selected a trail that would take me all the way up to the top of the mountain. The environment struck me as fairly quiet and I certainly expected more advanced seasonal bloom. Look at that Sky!!! Try to ignore the dark bits to the right, I did.

Then, it started raining. Not horrid drenching rain, rather the polite pitter splatter type rain. Then it stopped. Then it started, then stopped. And the sun came out.

and it was good.

As I gained some elevation, I noted that there was distinct plant groups and populations. The lupin is starting...

and the larkspur really loves the places where rocks over-ride the soil

As I cut up-slope into the more open area I was astounded at the abundance of Big-head Clover. I have never seen it so bountiful. Oregon Sunshine makes a pretty addition to the carpets.

The Gold Star is going strong.

But overall the flowers feel sparse. During my last visit it was impossible to make progress along the trail as there was such an abundance of flowers in such a variety that it was like a feast.

And bugs, tons of bugs.

Now it feels a bit sterile. Fire does sterilize the soil. It can be both good and bad. In many places the ground is burned and exposed.

The Conservancy will study the area well and see what effect the fire has in the short and long term. Some seeds in the July soil might certainly have been lost. The burn residue might add nutrients back to the soil. I found evidence of invading weeds and there was indication that steps were being taken to keep them out.

Upslope looks like a happy hike and I was heading there (still ignoring the sky)

but it started hailing...then raining...and then hailing again.

One thing about the dry side soils. In many places it is not rocky soil. It is sandy clayish soil, and when wet turns into "gumbo mud" as slick as boiled okra. My shoes were quickly enrobed with slippery muck and walking on the level was treacherous. Walking on any kind of slope darn near impossible.

I have to admit I threw in the towel pretty easily. I am sorry for it, a long drive for only a short time on the ground. I love the drive over here. Some day I need to stop and share the vision of the landscape between Ellensburg and Yakima. Many might feel it is a barren wasteland but I love the roll and contour of the shrub steppe hills.

So I cautiously picked my way back down. I encountered happy Fiddlenecks.

Brodiaea was abundant.

This slope certainly demonstrates the effect of the burn. Last year this area was riot with flowers.

The low area of the property is near meadows and marshes. Here I encountered more birds. The lighting didn't favor pictures for the most and the active wary nesting behaviors certainly made getting aim a challenge.

But I could look and I even remembered my binoculars today. I cannot remember what bird got me to look up in this old oak. I am glad I did.

Three Great Horned Owl fledgelings. Look at the downy pantaloons. These young birds will be flying next month. The angle and lighting was a misery so I could only capture one well.

But he has his "cool look" on. I have had owls every weekend for the last three. I am amazed as I almost never spot owls. They have been nemisis birds.

I am not sure when I can get back to this lovely place. I am sure time will heal all the wounds. Perhaps some delightful rarity will spring up having awaited the fire event. Perhaps the birds will find more bugs to eat in the exposed soils and the rotting deadwood.

We will see.

Escaping the Weather

Sunday I knew I wanted to get out to some new territory. I thought that Dog Mountain at the west end of Columbia Gorge was a nice prospect. Saturdays forecast for changing weather and winds eliminated that venue. I had no choice but to go where it was almost certain to be fair skies, Yakima.

Specifically the Cowiche Canyon. I had heard about this site late last year and put it on my list of places to visit. Saturday, on of my fellow field trip members mentioned that she had been to Snow Mountain Ranch the weekend before. I had not heard of this venue so I checked it out on line.

The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy http://www.cowichecanyon.org/ has two properties with about 14 miles of trails. Both are within 30 minutes of downtown Yakima.

I arrived very early to the Cowiche Canyon trail head. The trail quickly entered a narrow deep canyon of lichen covered basalt.

The footing was gravel and there were several bridges spanning the small, fast running river. Here is a beaver dam. I found freshly chewed stumps and branches.

It was fairly quiet but I did encounter folks out running or walking with their dogs. It feels like the canyon is just waking up to Spring. There was an abundance of Golden Currant blooming.

Further in the canyon where the rock walls give way to open slopes , Balsamroot is in abundance. I found few bird But was thrilled to hear Canyon Wrens high up in the cliffs. I also watched one curious Marmot keeping watch on a couple walking their dogs.

One unique feature is a spur trail leading up to the Wilridge Winery, a small organic vineyard. There are picnic areas and room to ramble. http://www.tastingroomyakima.com/ I did not venture all the way up but I will certainly put a hike and picnic on my list of must do for a pretty warm Spring day. I need to return to this canyon after a few weeks to allow the flowers and birds to wake up.

I drove further out from the canyon to Snow Mountain. This recent acquisition was a cattle ranch and there is ample evidence of cattle on the trails in the form of foot prints, pies and one interesting salt lick.


I was greeted near the parking area by a lovely row of Garry Oak and one very busy Gray Jay. Oak trees are not widely common in our state and the Gray Jays favor them above all. I am sorry this bird was so skittery I would have liked to have taken a picture of him gathering acorns. (I have a soft spot for acorns dating back to first grade.. Thank you Mrs Hamlin)

I immediately encountered a new form of Desert Parsley, Columbia Desert Parsley. Bold and purple with lush greenery.






I headed inward and upward and soon found a signboard that pointed the way. The longest loop trail is a little over 6 miles. I would have liked a bit clearer trail markers as the cattle have made quite a number of "stock trails" and navigation was challenging. I doubted that I would have enough time to take in a full 6 miles. Once I got up in elevation I knew I would not. I was at full stop taking it in.


Here there were carpets of wildflowers. Everywhere Spring Gold ( which I fist meet at Washington Park) and Sage Violets.










Happy little discoveries of Low Pussytoes,









Blue Violets ,







Cushion Phlox,










were new for the year. I even found mystery flowers that I am seeking some input on. There are far more species of flower than I have space to post pictures of. I posted them to my Flickr page. www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingwa/





The treasures on the ground were consuming my attention , but I did try to look out and appreciate the grand view all around.






Right after noon the weather clearly started to change. I decided that I best make my way back down and I choose the riparian (waterside) trail. Clearly this low wet area is still waking up as well. The little marsh was only supporting a blackbird or two. The deciduous trees are just starting to bud. It looks like it will be a good place to find a surprise or two next time I visit.


I stopped for a late lunch and as I hit the road it started sprinkling. By the time I reached Ellensburg it was pouring like I have seen in that area. The rain persisted over the pass and forecast is now for more rain and wind, along with much needed snow in the mountains.



I think I need to take a stay away weekend to do justice to Snow Mountain/Cowiche Canyon and the Umptanum Trail in the Yakima River Canyon. It is easy to have two full days in this area if I leave work Friday and drive over.

You can read more about CCC here

www.yakimaherald.com/stories/2010/03/31/04-01-10-cowiche-canyon-conservancy

So many places so little time.