We hiked Swale Canyon downstream from the Harms Road trailhead for the first time in several years. Washington State Parks had the trail closed while the trail was improved, including new decking and railings on all the trestles and new gates to keep livestock off the trail and out of Swale Creek.
We botanized and birded along the way. We identified 32 species of birds and enjoyed the vast displays of blooming Klickitat desert parsley (Lomatium klickitatense), which is a state-listed rare species endemic onlty to the Klickitat River drainage.
The day started out with high clouds that gradually moved away to give us bright blue skies and sunshine, but the wind picked up, too, so we didn't shed many layers.
We hiked about 6 miles round trip.
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