Cowiche Canyon Damaged, But Still Passable After Last Week’s Flooding [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

Yakima's Cowiche Canyon is a semi-rugged, beautiful and popular place to hike and enjoy nature but Mother Nature recently reminded us all that the canyon is hers first.

According to Betsy Bloomfield of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, last week's rains and snow melt pushed the creek over its banks, depositing an obstacle course of rocks, mud and branches near the trail's east end.

She says the trail is still in relatively good shape, but she does plan to bring in an engineer to check things out -- especially at the trail's midpoint, which experienced some winter weather-related rock slides.

Her advice to those who would seek the sunshine and a 60-degree hike this weekend: Be careful of sloped portions of the pathway and stay away from the pooled water and mudfields if possible.