Cleman Mountain - Waterworks Canyon Loop

Great views, a canyon beneath spectacular cliffs, buttresses and pinnacles of weathered basalt, wildflowers in the spring, color and wildlife in the autumn, and sunshine through most of the day in the winter make the Point 3582-Waterworks Canyon loop on Mount Cleman a great hike.

To do the loop, go through the gate, cross the creekbed and climb the ridge on the right-hand (east) side of the canyon. This is an often steep, airy climb with many interesting basalt outcrops and increasing views reminiscent of an alpine ridge walk in the Cascades.

Point 3582 sits out from the main bulk of Mount Cleman and has wonderful views over the orchards of Naches Heights and the Naches Valley, out to Mount Adams, Nelson Ridge and Rainier, down into Waterworks and Meystre Canyons and back to Mount Cleman itself. Clearly, it makes a great lunch spot.

To continue the loop, drop into the saddle between Point 3582 and Mount Cleman. At the north end of the saddle, find the cairned trail traversing to the left down into the canyon. Once on the canyon bottom, turn left and follow the well-defined boot trail that will take you back to your car at the mouth of the canyon.

WTA Pro Tip: If you just want to go up the canyon, go through the gate in the elk fence and find the well-defined boot trail to the right a few yards up the old fire road. Be sure to keep to the right when the canyon forks.