Hiking Experiences

Communities in Kittitas County offer readily accessible hiking, and stunning views with a little effort. Most local residents have a favorite hike, whether it’s along the Yakima River, up to a lookout in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, or to a beautiful waterfall.

Sandstone formation, known as a frog slab, in Teanaway For up to date information on local trails and interactive maps go to centralwashingtoncolor.com/travel-maps/ The Washington Trails Association and its website also offer updated trail reports and information.

Outdoor tips for Kittitas County

• The weather can change quickly. Be prepared with extra clothing, fire starter, emergency shelter and extra food.

• Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected back. Cell service is not available in many backcountry areas.

• Check on passes beforehand. State-owned recreation sites often require a Discovery Pass.

Forest Service sites require a Northwest Forest Pass.

BLM passes are required on many locations in the

Yakima River Canyon.

easy-breezy

n COAL MINES TRAIL CLE ELUM TO RONALD

This trail runs from Cle Elum to Roslyn and Ronald, and was established in 1994 in dedication to the pioneers who first settled in the area. A walk on the trail affords visitors a first-hand look at the coal-mining heritage through the remains of Roslyn’s mines, at the railroad depot site and barn, and at Powder House Road where dynamite was stored.

The flat, easy trail is open to walkers, horses, bicyclists, cross-country skiers and snowmobiles. Mines in Roslyn operated from the late 1880s to 1963.

n GINGKO PETRIFIED FOREST STATE PARK VANTAGE

The Trees of Stone interpretive trailhead, located two miles west of the Gingko Petrified Forest State Park interpretive center in Vantage, guides visitors through an ancient fossil bed with nearly twodozen petrified logs exposed along this one-mile loop trail. Along the trail you will find ice-rafted erratics remaining from Ice Age floodwaters thousands of years ago.

Part of the trail is paved, with a longer loop through the shrub steppe.

Drive east from Ellensburg on Interstate 90 to exit 136 for Huntzinger Road. Turn left and drive 2.3 miles past Vantage on the Old Vantage Highway to the trail parking lot.

n IRENE RINEHART RIVERFRONT PARK ELLENSBURG

This Ellensburg city-owned park along the Yakima River is accessed off Umptanum Road. It’s a prime bird watching area, and an easy stroll.

Take Main Street South until it turns into Canyon Road. Take a left at Umptanum Road (there is a Subway and McDonalds at this intersection.) After about a mile, the park entrance will be on the right.

n FOREST DISCOVERY TRAIL BLEWETT PASS

This three-mile trail near the top of Blewett Pass on Highway 97 offers scenic hiking in the summer and accessible snowshoeing in the winter, with interpretative signs to guide your visit. U.S. Forest Service permit needed.

n UMTANUM FALLS ELLENSBURG

This one-mile, relatively flat trail ends at a 40-foot punchbowl waterfall, and is a favorite with locals. Hikers should be cautious about their footing, especially during the winter when there’s ice.

Drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 109 in Ellensburg. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right to drive under the freeway and at 0.7 mile turn left at Umtanum Road at the traffic light. Stay on this road, which turns to gravel at 5.2 miles, for a total of 10 miles from the freeway exit. Discover Pass required.

n UMTANUM CREEK CANYON YAKIMA RIVER CANYON

The Umtanum Creek Canyon hike starts with a hike over a suspension bridge crossing the Yakima River and travels into a shrub-steppe environment full of wildlife and birds. The trailhead is at the Umtanum Recreation Site along state Route 821. A BLM permit is required during the summer and is available at the parking lot. For up to date information on local trails and interactive maps, go to centralwashingtonoutdoor.com

The Washington Trails Association and its website also offer updated trail reports and information. wta.org

n COPPER RIVER TRAIL SALMON LA SAC, NORTH OF ROSLYN

The trail follows the Cooper River valley upstream to Cooper Lake, and offers good berry picking opportunities in late summer. The trailhead to Cooper Lake is found at Salmon la Sac campground north of Roslyn. U.S. Forest Service permit needed.

n ROSLYN URBAN FOREST

Hikers can take various loops on the multi-use trail system around the city of Roslyn. The trail system isn’t fully developed with signage, but it offers stunning views and is popular with local residents.

Start in Roslyn at the Coal Mines Trail and head east on a gravel area. Turn left and head up a gated forest road. There will be a shorter, steeper forest road that heads up the ridge. Follow it two miles where it branches with the Rat Pac mountain biking trail. Stay left, go through a gate to the west and follow the slope toward the ridge.

Once on the ridge, you’ll see views of Mount Stuart and other peaks. Maps of the various loops and routes are available on the Roslyn Trails Alliance website or at Basecamp Books and Bites.

break a sweat

n MANASTASH RIDGE ELLENSBURG

This wildflower-rich hike is in the hills southwest of Ellensburg and has become popular for locals as well as visitors. This hike provides enough elevation gain to qualify as a workout, but wildflower enthusiasts will want to dawdle. The hike is considered difficult, and some routes are more difficult than others. It is a six-mile roundtrip hike from the trailhead to the top and back.

There are two main trails to the top, the Westberg Trail, named after a popular Ellensburg coach, and the Boy Scout Trail, accessed further to the west after hiking along an irrigation ditch. There is a logbook at the top.

From eastbound Interstate 90, exit 101 (Thorp Highway). Right off the exit, two miles, right on Cove Road, past two stop signs, parking is on the right just after the second stop sign.