Yakima Region Tour - Day 3
The Yakima Canyon
The Essentials
Where: S Canyon Road at the Roza Recreational Area
When: Sunday, May 18th, 2025 @ 9:45AM for a 10:00AM rollout
Pace: Steady (12 - 14 mph)
Route 1: The Official Route, 35.1 miles, 1,364' of elevation gain
Route 2: A Little More, 53 miles, 1,497' of elevation gain
Ride Leader: Paul Heydron, + 1 425 344 1543, paulh.wa@comcast.net
If you are already registered for the Yakima Region tour and want to do this ride, please resister for this also! You also need to register for the event!
The Description
This ride is an annual event that benefits Crime Stoppers of Yakima County. You need to do two things. First, register for the this ride here, with BIKES Club. Second, you need to register and pay for the ride here. Registration is not yet open. Check the linked site to see when it is.
Now, about the ride ...
The ride starts at the south end at the Roza Recreation area and heads to the north end of the canyon at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center near Thrall Road. It's a pleasant 17.5 miles out, slightly up hill and usually against the wind, which of course makes the way back slightly downhill and usually with the wind.
For those that want a little more, I've included a second option that leaves the official route and takes a loop through Ellensburg. The route shown goes past Super 1 foods and other places to pick up lunch then shows a stop at Rotary Park for a place to enjoy it.
Before the ride, please let me know which route you plan to take. We will make sure there is a ride leader for each route.
Please read the description on the registration we site. They state there will be "light snacks and water along the route", but there's not a lot in the canyon, so plan to bring enough to eat and drink and consider the light snacks and water as bonus.
Nuts and Bolts
HAVE A FLASHING TAIL LIGHT! A headlight is good too.
The last time I was at Roza it was a pit toilet. I can't imagine it being closed when the hold the ride, but I can imagine it being pretty ... adventurous. Plan accordingly.
Remember to bring essential bike tools - especially flat repair equipment, sunscreen, and plenty to drink.
The mean daily high temperature is around 75F in mid-May. It can be substantially hotter or colder though. May is usually pretty dry, but not completely. Plan accordingly. The canyon can have it's own weather.
