EXPLORING KITTITAS COUNTY
EXPl RE
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Kittitas County offers a range of environments and unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking trails spread throughout the county offer challenging elevation climbs and flat walks through the shrub-steppe. West of Ellensburg lies the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a protected area with nearly 700 mountain lakes, valleys thick with trees and snowcovered peaks. In the middle of the county, the Teanaway is packed with trails, some of which give hikers a spectacular view of Mount Stuart. A local favorite in Ellensburg is the Manastash Ridge, which has several paths to the top and log books for people to sign when they reach the top. The Coal Miners Trail in the
WAY F I N D E R
Upper County connects Cle Elum to Roslyn and Ronald as it follows old coal mining slag piles and a former rail line path. In the summer months, floating the Yakima River, biking through Ellensburg’s foothills, camping at Salmon la Sac, fishing, or boating in the Columbia River are all popular ways to spend a sunny day. For indoor exercise, stop by the Ellensburg Memorial Pool and Fitness Center for a swim, or by the Ellensburg Racquet and Recreation Center for a game. Winter months provide a chance to play in the powdery snow and explore parts of the county on snowmobiles.
ELLENSBURG MEMORIAL POOL AND FITNESS CENTER
A 25-meter indoor pool for swimming lessons, training and recreational swimming. The pool also features a hot tub, wet and dry sauna and 1-meter diving board. The fitness center is equipped with weight machines, rowing machines, treadmills, elliptical trainers and a recumbent bike. Visit the City of Ellensburg’s website for hours and location.
PARKS
Parks are abundant in Kittitas County. Wanapum State Park and Gingko Petrified Forest State Park near Vantage offer views of the Columbia River, along with displays
