Sea kayak Classification SK III.  White water river scale class II.

Warning: All rivers are powerful and present hazards that are different from the sea.  Paddlers should have good bracing and maneuvering skills, and be able to paddle backward in control.  Experience in moving water like deception pass is recommended. Current about 3-5 mph with 1-2 ft waves.

Description: We will float 20 miles down the Yakima river thru a wonderful canyon from Ringer Loop (5 miles S of Ellensburg) to Roza Dam recreation area (5 miles north of Yakima).  Lunch stop and hike at Umtanum creek.  The area’s ecology is called shrub-steppe (semi desert) and we will see spring flowers including Lupine and Balsam root, and possibly mountain goats and rattlesnakes. The canyon is up to 1000 feet deep, surrounded by spectacular basalt cliffs.

If you would like to bicycle thru the same stretch, Sunday is the “your canyon for a day” bike tour.  http://www.crimestoppersyakco.org/sitemenu.aspx?P=custom&D=2&ID=700

An alternate trip may chosen if the river level is over 6000 CFS. 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=12484500&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065