Umtanum Ridge Crest — Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

This is an Off-Road Drive. No hiking trails, but cross-country hiking opportunities. Suitable for high-clearance 4WD vehicles. (We drove our Jeep Wrangler Rubicon - only other vehicles were 4 Quads  2 Wranglers and 1 Dodge 4WD.) Started from Ellensburg on Durr Road(7.4miles) to Umtanum Ridge Road(5.4miles) to Ridge Road (8.2miles) to Wenas. This is part of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route.  Very scenic but difficult drive. Durr Road is rocky and rutted to Umtanum Creek Bridge, then very rocky and rutted all the way up to radio towers, which are at junction to Umtanum Ridge Road proper. Excellent viewpoint at radio towers, Mt Rainier, Mt Clemans Ridge, Mt Adams. Umtanum Ridge & Ridge Road stretch west over 12 miles and down to Wenas. Ridge road undulates with some steep, rocky, muddy sections. Road from ridge top to Wenas has difficult, rocky and heavily rutted (deep) sections. October drive- wear bright colors - deer and elk seasons. More pictures and details at - www.deetezellimountainstories.wordpress.com