Walk a path less traveled in 2011

Let's face it.

One day into it, you're already tired of your New Year's resolutions.

You don't want to jog, lift weights, join an exercise class or swim laps.

Now, to be fair, some people do.

But for the rest, too many obstacles block the path to physical fitness.

There is, however, still hope.

What about walking?

It's good exercise, stress-free and just about anybody can do it, in one form or another.

Karlina Lopez, who is 18, is a proponent. The Yakima resident likes to get out and walk on weekends, usually at the Yakima Greenway. "It's healthy," she explains.

But, although the health benefits of walking are well documented, you may still need a push just to get out there.

So, to add a little bit of spice, how about choosing some out-of-the way places to take a trek?

Sure, the Yakima Greenway and Cowiche Canyon have earned well-deserved praise as pathways, but maybe what will get you out and about is trying a new spot.

For instance, how many times have you walked along the River Trail at Yakima Sportsman State Park?

Thought so.

River Trail at Yakima Sportsman State Park

The park sports a two-mile unpaved roadway along a river dike, according to Linda Burnett of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Not frequently used, it's a peaceful jaunt along the Yakima River and a good place to spot birds (the park itself has recorded some 140 species).

The trail is a favorite of Dave Carpenter, 62, of Yakima, who takes Bear -- or vice versa -- the dog he rescued four years ago, out walking at least every other day.

"She encourages me to get out," he explains. "Otherwise, she'll drive me nuts." Energetic and smart (she can say "Mama," Carpenter maintains) but well-behaved, Bear leads Carpenter along paths at Sportsman or at the Greenway, through snow, rain, anything.

To access the River Trail at Sportsman Park from downtown Yakima, take Terrace Heights Drive east, turning south onto Keys Road, About 1/4 mile after Keys jogs to the east, there's a parking lot on the south side of the road. It's free (so far, but state budget cuts could end that someday). Park hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Snow Mountain Ranch

Cowiche Canyon -- another picturesque spot -- has a lesser known, and used, sibling, Snow Mountain Ranch in Cowiche.

Betsy Bloomfield, executive director of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, describes a big loop walk at Snow Mountain as lovely in any weather (be prepared for snow; the area is, after all, eponymous).

From Yakima, drive west on Summitview Avenue, about seven miles past 72nd Avenue, to get to the ranch. The parking lot is on the south side of the road.

Although not an official trail, Bloomfield says the loop is a flat, two-mile walk with beautiful, natural views in all directions. "Listen for great horned owls along the creek; they might oblige you by flapping their wings," she notes. Other attractions are "Russian olive trees filled with birds" and stately basalt columns.

Here are Bloomfield's directions: From the parking lot, take the Entry Trail across both the little Cowiche Ditch and the much bigger Cowiche Creek down to the kiosk. Turn to the west (right), and start walking toward the far end of the field along the creek.

That's part of the Riparian West Trail, which goes around the perimeter of the field to the next trail junction sign post. At the Cowiche Mountain Trail junction, turn back toward the parking lot (north) for a short distance, then turn east (right) to start walking on the Ditch Bank Trail, following along the base of a beautiful columnar basalt cliff formation. Walk on until the sign to the Riparian East Trail, which goes north (left) across the other end of the flood plain field and then west again back to the kiosk.

Yakama Nation RV Park pathway

Heading in the opposite direction, in the Lower Valley, is a little-known paved pathway, which is open to the public, at the Yakama Nation RV Park at 280 Buster Road, just off U.S. Highway 97. It winds around campsites, along farmland and Wanity Slough and, in the summer, past large teepees erected for overnight stays.

Gary Pierce with the Yakama Nation Land Enterprise office says the path is particularly popular with people who live in Toppenish, Wapato and Zillah.

"A lot of people walk it in the morning," he says, when mallards may be drifting along on the slough. The Yakama Nation encourages people to use the path as a way to stay healthy, Pierce adds.

The paved loop is 9/10ths of a mile, or one mile if walkers extend along an outer path through parked recreational vehicles. Path hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Emil Kissel Park

But don't forget Yakima itself.

A paved loop winds 6/10ths of a mile around Emil Kissel Park, at 32nd and Mead avenues, making for a gentle, flat walk. Hours in city parks are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cameron Hill enjoys heading to Kissel after work some afternoons, especially when there's a snow cover. "It's beautiful; I love this walk and I love the snow," the 18-year-old says.

He doesn't necessarily walk to stay in shape; he's more motivated to be outdoors to enjoy nature.

"You can admire so much here," he explains.

Hannah Meyer, 26, is also a fan of Kissel, venturing out on the path about four times a week.

Her reasons for walking are health and fresh air-related, she says. Plus, she's just getting back to exercising after celebrating the birth of daughter Lauren in mid-December.

(Even Lauren has been out walking at Kissel several times, albeit in a stroller.)

Whenever Meyer and her 28-year-old sister, Gretchen Rupp of Bellingham, Wash., visit each other, they make sure they get outside to walk. But then again, they also hike and jog. They're an active family, explains Meyer.

"Walking is a good way to stay social," adds Rupp.

Powerhouse Canal Pathway and Living Care path

Powerhouse Canal Pathway is an ambitious trek, running from Chesterley Park on 40th Avenue and River Road to McGuinness Park, at 14th and Swan avenues. The path offers lots of foliage, some gentle hills as well as views of rolling foothills to the east. The entire distance is just slightly shy of 21/2 miles, or almost five miles round-trip. Of course, you can do just as much as you like and turn around.

The walk doesn't, however, have to be long to be fruitful.

The 1/6th of a mile path on the grounds of Living Care Retirement Community, at 40th and Summitview avenues, is just right for people who want a short, safe walk, says Sheila Meyer, ward secretary in the assisted living center.

The walk meanders through the grounds, partly along an irrigation canal, which is particularly lovely spring through fall, says Meyer.

"People like to watch birds and see the ducks in the canal," she points out, adding that people in wheelchairs or using walkers find the path very usable.

So, no excuses. Time to get moving.

* Jane Gargas can be reached at 509-577-7690 or jgargas@yakimaherald.com.