Canopy Over Trail
Directions to this hike
What an enjoyable hike I had the other day in W.E. Johnson Park. I will probably have to wait until a little later in the year to enjoy the full experience as the Yakima River was rising and flooding much of this area. I parked in the large lot down the road from the nursery on Hall Road, just off Van Geisen. I headed south past the gate and down the road, careful to avoid the archery area warning signs. A few hundred yards down the trail, I came to an impassable flooded area and had to divert further inland. The problem was, I had to work my way through some blackberry thickets to get to higher ground and had several punctures to show for it! I got along the base of the bench along the river valley and followed the trail south. It hugged the edge of the hill, running behind the cemetery along the Bypass Highway and a newer housing development. There were some nice views across the wetlands of W.E. Johnson Park.
Flattop, Red Mountain and Rattlesnake in the Distance
One view looked west to Flattop, Red Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain. Another view looked across a pond to the south and Badger Mountain. 
The trails wound through areas inhabited by numerous waterfowl who were startled by my presence and took to the air. I walked the path to the south end where it connects to the trail to Chamna behind the housing development. I followed the trail toward the river and quickly found another flooded road, I tried another path with the same results.
Flooded Trail in Johnson Park
I guess I’ll get to see more on my next visit. Overall, a wonderful day in the lowlands, nice and peaceful and quiet for an area just off the Bypass Highway, a stone’s throw from homes in my Richland neighborhood.