Westberg TrailYou can expect to find grouse scurrying through the brush and Lewis's woodpecker pounding on the trees. In the air, look for a mix of northern flickers, bluebirds, meadowlarks, and the ever-present red-tailed hawks. If birds aren't enough of an aerial display, this is also butterfly heaven in late spring. Birds don't do it for you? Well, deer and elk also roam the region, and no one can find fault with the spectacular views--especially from the site of the Westberg Memorial at the top of the ridge. The trail starts on an old jeep track that first crosses an irrigation canal on a set of railroad timbers, and then heads up a steep gully. Be cautious because this stretch of trail is prime snake terrain. At about 0.3 mile, the trail splits, with both paths leading to the same junction about a mile farther up the route, so you can actually turn this into a short loop. We went left. From the split, the trail (both of them) climbs steeply. Indeed, in the 1.5 miles from the split to the memorial site, the trail gains almost 1800 feet in elevation, all without benefit of switchbacks. As the trail climbs, the scenery gets even better. Birds are likely to keep you company along the entire trek, and amazing flower displays are possible all around: brodiaea, lupine, balsamroot, phlox, paintbrush, yellow asterlike beauties, microsensis, and others. When the bitterroot is in bloom, any exposed rocky soil area flushes pink with its blooms. The memorial site, which can be seen from all along the trail, offers stunning views of the Kittitas Valley and the sweep of the Cascade Range, with Mount Stuart capping the mountain scene. Continue another 3.0 miles if you want to get to the University of Washington's Manastash Ridge Observatory.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 101 for Thorp. Turn right onto South Thorp Highway and continue 2 miles. Then turn right (south) onto Cove Road and drive 6 miles. At the second stop sign, continue straight, crossing Manastash Road. In 0.2 mile, find the large parking area on the right side of the soon-to-dead-end road. Recent Trip Reports
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Westberg Trail
— Feb 04, 2012
— mOuNtAiNeEr51
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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I took the Prater Trail up and the Boy Scout Trail down.
Before you cross the irrigation canal, turn right on...
I took the Prater Trail up and the Boy Scout Trail down.
Before you cross the irrigation canal, turn right on the road and walk down the road for a ways until you pass by an old landslide. The road hooks right while the trail continues straight. Follow the trail for a bit and come to a fork. Take the trail on the right, and hike up the ridge along the Prater Trail. The trail soon enters and old forest, then breaks out of the trees and gets steep as it gains the top of the hill. At the top of the hill, go left and come to the memorial. Trail was slick in spots, but mostly pretty good. From the memorial, hike down the main Westberg Trail for a while and come to a junction with a trail that comes out of the canyon on the left. Turn left and take that trail (Boy Scout Trail) down into the canyon. This trail is very slippery right now, so take it easy. Follow the trail all the way back out to the old road that you started off on. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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We were going to hike the Shell Rock trail (near Ellensburg) but surprise! the access, Manatash Road, is washed out....
We were going to hike the Shell Rock trail (near Ellensburg) but surprise! the access, Manatash Road, is washed out. We were at the trailhead For Westberg Trail (Cove Road and Manatash Road) so took that instead. "Best Desert Hikes in WA" trail book gives directions for access coming from Seattle and Thorp Rd exit; it is actually shorter distance to trailhead from first Ellensburg exit (albeit with some backtracking).
Book is correct that trail is (very!) steep. Book is incorrect that at the fork at .3 mile you go left. You should go right and this is the obvious, major trail. There are other faint spurs, which you should avoid; look at the trailhead map if you're curious where they go. Trail is about 2 miles, pretty much straight up the hill. Took us about 3 hrs up and down. Near the point where you hit the ridge is a trail off to the right, don't take this. Lots of hikers and dogs, this is obviously a popular conditioning hike for Ellensburg folks. Flowers are late this year, so we had beautiful show: last of arrowleaf balsamroots, a few lupines and paintbrush, lots of wild parsley, yarrow, rosy buckwheat Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Overgrown | Bugs | No water source
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This was my first time hiking in the dessert weather. The trail was pretty straightforward; it shot straight up the...
This was my first time hiking in the dessert weather. The trail was pretty straightforward; it shot straight up the hill. Only saw one jogger on the way up and no one on the way down. The dogs had a hard time dealing with the heat, and the scorching hot, sandy trail made it even more difficult for them to hike in this type of weather. They constantly sought refuge under low bushes or trees, if there were any.
Overall, it was a good, short hike on a great day. Not sure if the dogs enjoyed it as much as I do. Flickr: http://bit.ly/dcxrsf
Westberg Trail
— Apr 25, 2010
— bettybutterfly
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Trail on Manastash Ridge. Perfect weather, 50° on top at the Westberg Memorial site and a cool breeze. Glorious views...
Trail on Manastash Ridge. Perfect weather, 50° on top at the Westberg Memorial site and a cool breeze. Glorious views of Mt. Stewart. Wildflowers are just starting to bloom: phlox, lupine, sagebrush violet, bluebells, balsamroot (which should be in full bloom in a couple of weeks), dwarf waterleaf and numerous others. Didn't see a single bluebird but several bird boxes. It's a steep trail in the open with little shade so bring a sun hat and sun screen. Great flower hike.
Westberg Trail
— Apr 18, 2010
— Mountain Lover
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
No water source
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Well, this wasn't my original plan for today. That was to have been in Ireland, hiking the Wicklow mountains....
Well, this wasn't my original plan for today. That was to have been in Ireland, hiking the Wicklow mountains. However, mother nature had other ideas and because of the Icelandic volcano eruption that led to my trip cancellation, I now have all kind of time for hiking here. Four of us headed to Westberg trail since it wasn't far from home. We started up about 10:30. It doesn't mess around and starts gaining elevation from the start and continuous up, up, up. A great break half way up is a bench under a large ponderosa pine, with cool winds and fantastic views. After reaching the top, we took the "boyscout trail" down, which comes down through the trees, giving us shade on this warm sunny day.
Flowers: buttercup, sagebrush violets, ballhead waterleaf, balsamroot, prairie stars, grass widow, yellow bells, currant, and other 5-6 leafed white and yellow flowers that I don't know. Animals: lots of birds (bluebirds, quail and grouse included), chipmunks. And many dogs and their owners. |
Westberg Trail. Photo by M&S.
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