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Wahatis Peak

Central Washington > Tri-Cities
 46.8033, -119.5188 Map & Directions
Length
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
610 feet
Highest Point
2,696 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Easy/Moderate
Heavy frost adorns the crest of Wahatis Peak, overlooking the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Photo by Mary Hartman. Full-size image
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Rivers
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
Saved to My Backpack

Hike up a remote track to one of the highest points in Eastern Washington’s Saddle Mountains, with spectacular views all around. Continue reading

Rating
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Hiking Wahatis Peak

The Saddle Mountains are a range of hills formed by an anticline ridge of basalt. The ridgeline is oriented east-west, running from Othello in the east to the foothills of the Cascades to the west. During the Ice Age, the Columbia River flowed along the north side of the Saddle Mountains, eroding what is now the Crab Creek valley.

Look to your right as you hike up the rocky road and you’ll see farms and pothole lakes far below, vineyards adjacent to sagebrush and cherry orchards adjacent to wildlife habitat. When you near the top of the peak the view to the south opens up, showing the Columbia River winding through the Hanford Reach National Monument. On a clear day, you can see Mount Adams and Mount Rainier off to the west over the Horse Heaven Hills.

WTA Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, check out the overlook at Saddle Mountain East. The gravel access road is suitable for passenger cars. 

Toilet Information

  • No toilet at trailhead

More information about toilets

Hike Description Written by
Mary Hartman, WTA Correspondent

Wahatis Peak

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.8033, -119.5188 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

Take care when driving up or down the narrow access road. If two cars meet, the descending vehicle will need to find a way to pull off far enough to let the ascending car squeeze through.

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From Tri-Cities, drive west on WA-240, which turns into WA-24 east. After crossing the Vernita Bridge over the Columbia River, turn right to stay on WA-24. Drive 16 miles and look for a road on your left (north side of the highway). You’ll see a kiosk with information about the Hanford Reach National Monument. Drive north on this road, which starts out paved, but gets rougher as it climbs. It’s suitable for a sedan for the first 4.2 miles. Here you’ll reach a fork.

If you are in a low-clearance vehicle or prefer a longer hike (9.1 miles roundtrip), park along the side of the road near the intersection.

Otherwise, turn left (west) and drive up the steep, narrow, rocky road; you’ll need fairly high clearance. At this point you’re leaving the Hanford Reach National Monument and entering Bureau of Land Management property. Proceed with caution about 2.5 miles, where you’ll reach a saddle with some side tracks where you can park and begin your hike.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Central Washington > Tri-Cities

Bureau of Land Management

Guidebooks & Maps

USGS Wahatis Peak

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Right-of-Way On Trail

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Practice Leave No Trace on Trail and in Camp

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Wahatis Peak

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