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Swale Canyon is a major drainage (Swale Creek) that flows into the Klickitat River from the east near Wahkiacus. It originates about a dozen miles east of US 97 and flows west through grasslands, scablands and agricultural areas before becoming more deeply cut and turning sharply north to flow towards the Klickitat River with patches of coniferous and oak-maple forest. The Klickitat Trail travels along Swale Creek here throughout Swale Canyon. This trail follows an old rail bed that connected the farmlands around Goldendale with the major rail line passing through Lyle, WA. Now long closed to rail traffic, the trail is a wide, gravelled to rocky bed with numerous trestles now converted for equestrian, mountain bike and hiking travel.
For wildflower hikers, the upper half of the trail is probably the most interesting between late March and mid-June. An April hike provides nice views of Columbia desert parsley (Lomatium columbianum), showy phlox (Phlox speciosa), Carey's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza careyana), upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum), yellow bells (Fritillaria pudica), ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum var. thompsonii), grasswidows (Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii) and many others. As the area dries out in late April and early May, note the balsamroot display on the north side of the Columbia Hills which dominate the skyline to the south, and Heartleaf buckwheat (Eriogonum compositum) and scabland wild buckwheat (Eriiogonum sphaerocephalum var. sublineare) begin to bloom.
The trail is hikeable from October into June. It is closed to all activity during the summe rand early fall to prevent wildfires. Hikers in upper Swale Canyon where the canyon isn't deep should have cell coverage. The lower two-thirds of the canyon do not have cell coverage. In case of injury, it is not adviseable to hike up the steep, rocky canyon slopes to find cell coverage. It will be faster to head to one of the trailheads instead.
Note: Most of the Klickitat Trail passes through private property when travelling along Swale Canyon. It's wise to stay within 10 feet of the trail at most locations to avoid trespassing.... and yes, people do get caught and charged along the trail. It's also wise to keep your dogs on leash as there has been problems with dogs harassing livestock and poultry along the trail. I believe a dog was shot about a dozen years ago for going after someone's peafowl.
At both the Harms Road and Wahkiacus Trailheads there is a single portable toilet. Generally, they are well maintained though it's always wise to have some toilet paper.... just in case! No parking passes are required.
To the Wahkiacus Trailhead off Horseshoe Bend Road:
From the west end of Lyle, WA (about 50 yards east of the SR 14 bridge over the Klickitat River), turn north from State Road 14 onto State Road 142 which is signed for Klickitat and Wahkiacus. The Lyle Klickitat Trailhead immediately on the left side of the road is a good spot for a bathroom break. Continue driving north on SR 142 for about 16.5 miles, passing through Klickitat, WA (the grocery store is a good spot to stop for a cold drink on the way home) and continuing on until the next road with a bridge across the Klickitat River. Turn right onto Horseshoe Bend Road and after crossing the bridge, turn right onto Schilling Road and then another, immediate right into the parking area for the Wahkiacus Trailhead for the Klickitat Trail. No parking passes are required. From the parking area, one can either hike west downriver along the south bank of the Klickitat River to the Klickitat Mineral Springs and further almost to the small community of Suburbia. Money has been appropriated for a new hiker bridge across the river there, but so far, construction has not commenced (spring 2024). To hike up the lower part of Swale Canyon heading towards the Harms Road Trailhead, leave the parking area heading east, cross Schilling Road and then follow the gravel road that proceeds up the canyon. There are several residences and some vacation homes up the canyon, so watch for occasional traffic coming from behind or ahead. Definitely, the first couple of miles of the canyon are a place to have your dogs on leash and it's a place for hikers and mountain bikers to stay on the main road.
To the Harms Road Trailhead off the Lyle-Centerville Highway:
From Washington Highway SR 14 in the middle of Lyle, WA, turn north onto the Centerville Highway and wind uphill across High Prairie on the northwest side of the Columbia Hills and proceed east about 14.9 miles. Turn left onto gravelled Harms Road for about half a mile. The Harms Road Trailhead for the Klickitat Trail is on the north side of the bridge across Swale Creek. The portable toilet is prominent on the northwest side of the bridge. Pull off to either side of the road north of the bridge, making sure not to block the road. No parking passes are needed. To hike into Swale Canyon (towards the downhill side), walk to the west side of the road and through the metal gate. It's wise to keep all gates you encounter closed after passing through them, especially if you see cattle on private property to either side of the trail.
Comprehensive plant list for the Klickitat Trail in upper Swale Canyon
March 13, 2014: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
May 29, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
May 8, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
April 23, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
April 17, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon to Wahkiacus - accessed from Harms Road
March 18, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
March 4, 2010: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
February 25, 2010: Lower Swale Canyon - accessed from the Wahkiacus Trailhead
March 22, 2009: Upper Swale Canyon - accessed from Harms Road
Swale Canyon/ Klickitat Trail: Northwest Wildflowers
Harms Road Trailhead: OregonHikers.org - Directions to the trailhead and general information about the hike from the uphill side of Swale Canyon.
Wahkiacus Trailhead: OregonHikers.org - Directionsto the trailhead and general information about the hike from the downhill side of Swale Canyon.
Klickitat Trail - Swale Canyon: Washington Trails Association
Klickitat Trail - Swale Canyon: Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Klickitat Trail - Swale Canyon Hike: OregonHikers.org - Out and back hike from the Wahkiacus Trailhead to Warwick. Contains a great amount of information about hiking different sections of the trail along Swale Creek.
Swale Flats: OregonHikers.org - Information about a suggested turnaround point for hikers hiking Swale Canyon from either trailhead.
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