Lower Yakima-Chamna

Location: Richland, WA

Region: Southeast WA

Best Season: Fall/Winter

Difficulty: Beginner

Primary Bike Surface: Singletrack

Passes/Permits: None

Water Length: 5-8mi

Bike Length: 11mi

Suggested Bike Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37050270

Recommended Trip Type: One-Stop-Adventure (what’s this?)

Parking: Columbia Point Park (recommended) other options are Chamna Preserve, W.E. Johnson, Hyde Rd. Launch (Discover Pass)

Description:

This is a really nice variation of the Tapteal trip that can be done in a few hours and is close to town.  I highly recommend doing this trip as a Bike-Raft-Bike trip parking at the Columbia Point Park.  The beauty of this trip is that the riding is mostly on single-track trail (MTB or cross-bike recommended).  Starting at Columbia Point parking lot head under the I-182 bridge next to the Columbia River.  Soon after crossing under the bridge look for a fun scenic single-track trail the follows the bank of the river.  Continue along this trail out to Columbia Point that overlooks the confluence of Yakima and Columbia rivers.  Keep following the trail along the Yakima delta and under the Hwy 240 bridge.  After crossing under the bridge stay left onto the gravel trail that joins up with the Chamna Preserve trail system near the gravel pit.  From here, there are many single-track options to continue the journey through Chamna and eventually to the I-182 Yakima River bridges.  Cross under the bridges on the bike path.  Continue for a short bit on the paved bike path keeping an eye out for the sandy trail the parallels the river.  Follow this path along the river and under the Duportail Bridge connecting to W.E. Johnson Park.  At this park there are a few different single-track options to explore on your way North-bound.  Eventually reaching the Hall road TH continue N. on Hall Road to taking a left on Van Giessen, Right on Jones Rd. and Left on Hyde Rd and follow to the Hyde Rd. put-in.  Here you will inflate the packraft and load your bike and gear for a 5mi paddle down to the Chamna take-out.  Once you reach the take-out you can deflate the raft and load the bike.  From here you can ride the single-track back through Chamna and Columbia Point and back to the car.  I highly encourage you to explore different trails on the return trip through Chamna Preserve. High river flows can be hazardous.

PRO Tip: Run tubeless or sealant in your tubes to prevent punctures from goat-head thorns. The paddle can be extended by a few miles by continuing down the river until just after the Hwy 240 bridges and exit on river left.

Water Flow: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12510500/#parameterCode=00065

References: https://tapteal.org/tapteal-water-trail/

Hazards: Goat-heads (puncture thorns), Summer Heat, River currents

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Tapteal Water Trail

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White Bluffs to Ringold