Manastash Ridge
The hike starts steep and continues steep for 2 miles on exposed desert terrain all the way to the top of the ridge at memorial point, gaining about 2000 ft. From there the trail follows roads wandering along the ridge with many branch offs. 3 miles west of memorial point is supposed to be a weather station but we did not go quite that far. Wide open views in all directions.
Driving Directions:
To get there exit I-90 at Thorp and go south on the Thorp Highway to Cove Road. Parking at the end of the road. Recent Trip Reports
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Yakima River Canyon, Manastash Ridge
— Oct 07, 2011
— mOuNtAiNeEr51
Day hike
Issues:
No water source
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Started on that steep trail that leads up that 2600ft. hill near the north entrance of the canyon. Only took...
Started on that steep trail that leads up that 2600ft. hill near the north entrance of the canyon. Only took 35 minutes to get to the top counting photo breaks. Views get better and better with every foot of elevation gained. Signed the register at the top of the hill and enjoyed the views.
But I wanted more, and fixed my eyes on the high hill with the communications towers on it to the east. That is the hill that is above I-82 to the SE of Ellensburg. I've been wanting to hike up that hill, and now was my chance! So on I went. I soon found myself walking on an old track next to a barb wired fence. When the fence crosses the track, you'll want to get to the other side of the fence and remain on the track. Then keep following the crest of the ridge all the way to the top! Great views along the entire route. I did run into a rattlesnake on the trail. Almost walked over it but saw it just in time. It also saw me, and began to rattle and hiss. So of course I acted promptly by getting my camera out to take pictures. Then I simply walked around it, staying several feet away. Anyways, this is prime rattlesnake territory, so be prepared. It was also VERY windy up there! And I mean constant fast wind that did not let up! So make sure to dress accordingly.
Manastash Ridge #1388
— May 22, 2011
— betsybell
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Our WOW (Women on Wednesdays) made our annual trip to hike Manastash Ridge to see the spring wildflowers. The...
Our WOW (Women on Wednesdays) made our annual trip to hike Manastash Ridge to see the spring wildflowers. The flood that closed Cove Rd. has receded and the road is open. Access via Thorp Hwy off I 90 just west of the Ellensburg exit is open. The hills are lush with green and the arrow leaf balsamroot are in full bloom. It drizzled constantly but that only made the fresh smells more intense. In another week, more shrubs and flowers will bloom. Very muddy so sticks help. BetsyBell
Blazed Ridge, Manastash Ridge, Mount Clifty Ridge
— Oct 12, 2009
— Bryan
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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Exit I-90 at #62 and follow road 54 for about 3 miles then head south on road 41 and follow...
Exit I-90 at #62 and follow road 54 for about 3 miles then head south on road 41 and follow for about 10 miles to road 4110. Follow for about another 10 miles to the trailhead for Blazed Creek #1333 on the left side of the road.
This area allows motorbikes on the trails so keep that in mind. The trail climbs up to the ridgeline and passes through a logged out area before heading back into nice a nice tree'd pathway carved deep by the dirtbikes. Once on the ridgeline views open in a few spots offering views to North Ridge and down into the Greek Creek Basin. At 3.4 miles meet the junction with the Manastash Ridge Trailand follow that south for another mile or so to the junction for the Mt Clifty Trail, 1321.1. By this point snow was falling and the winds were picking up. I made my way to the summit and signed the summit register which was in a 3" PVC pipes covered with motor cross stickers. Views were limited with the snow in the air. I returned the same way I went and returned to the trailhead in 5 hours from when I left. Full set of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bkraai/sets/72157622448830277/ Video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az-mexWZVjI Day hike
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Great hiking in the spring when the Western Cascades are still sloppy with wet snow. The trailhead is only...
Great hiking in the spring when the Western Cascades are still sloppy with wet snow. The trailhead is only 2hrs from Seattle and guaranteed dry early in the season. Today we had mild temperatures, wildflowers just beginning to show, a stiff breeze at times, and a magnificent clear view of the snow covered Stuart Range from almost any point on the trail. To get there exit I-90 at Thorp and go south on the Thorp Highway to Cove Road. Parking at the end of the road. The hike starts steep and continues steep for 2 miles on exposed desert terrain all the way to the top of the ridge at memorial point, gaining about 2000 ft. From there the trail follows roads wandering along the ridge with many branch offs. 3 miles west of memorial point is supposed to be a weather station but we did not go quite that far. Wide open views in all directions.
Day hike
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Manastash Ridge is a wonderful area to explore while waiting for the high-country snow to melt. On Monday the temperature...
Manastash Ridge is a wonderful area to explore while waiting for the high-country snow to melt. On Monday the temperature had dropped to a mere 75 degrees, so the weather was perfect for a desert hike. Some sort of snake, perhaps a gopher snake, agreed but quickly left the trail as we approached. The trail to the Westburg Memorial is the steepest part. However, once you reach the ridge top the terrain mellows to lightly rolling hills. The flower show is splendid at the moment, though normally the flowers peak a few weeks earlier. We saw bitterroot, a favorite, endless buckwheat, balsam root, blue bells, sage violets, ballhead waterleaf, desert parsley, stonecrop, lupine, and a number of other bright blue unidentified blooms. To top all this off, there were views of both the Stewart Range and Mt. Rainier, although we only saw the bottom of the latter due to some cloud cover. Birds abound on the ridge, and we heard plenty of meadowlark birdsong. We also glimpsed a tiny lizard lurking under some rocks. Not much traffic either coming or going from the Seattle area, making this excursion an extremely fine one. |
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