KUOW Hike of the Week- Manastash Ridge Observatory

Updated April 30, 2013
Just outside of Ellensburg. You can hike the road up to the Observatory, drive part way then hike. Or drive to top and wonder on the ridge top. Thanks for directions to Alan Bauer and photos from Alan Bauer and Dennis Long.

Fagin at top with Mt. Ranier in background @ Dennis Long

 

Bring your Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials

Check out maps. This hike is not on our map

Umtanum Creek on the way up

Big herd of Elk @ Dennis Long

Balsamroot

Fagin taking break on way up @ Dennis Long

View from top - Stuart Range

Lots on roaming to do on the top

Manatash Ridge Observatory  @ Dennis Long

Driving directions: Exit 109 at Ellensburg, turn right at end of offramp, and drive 0.5 mile north to the first traffic light. Turn LEFT at traffic light onto Umptanum Road and set your odometer here. Drive out of Ellensburg on this road and stay on it. At 5.0 miles (you’ve left farm land behind and climbed up into Manastash Ridge by now some) you hit end of pavement onto gravel. At 10.2 miles at a sharp turn in the road you reach the parking lot for Umtanum Creek Falls trail on your left. Tt 11.4 miles you pass the access for Hanson Pond Road (another good road hike but less forested areas than Observatory) At 15.4 miles, or just a bit more than 5 miles from Umtanum Creek Falls TH, and about ½ mile after the road starts descending from Ellensburg Pass area, you come to a road on the RIGHT. This is Observatory Road, gated until May 1st each year. Parking for 3-4 signed for Discovery Pass, etc…. It is 2.4 miles to a main road JCT, veer right to head to the observatory, left goes to Mud Flats. At 4.6 miles you reach the ridge, go right on ridge road and at 4.9 miles you reach the observatory.



Map to Manatash Ridge Observatory and link to site

BATTLE OF THE WINEMAKERS: WILLOWS LODGE ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR 2013 IRON VINTNER CHALLENGE

Battle of the Winemakers at Willows Lodge Click here for ticket information

Willows Lodge in Woodinville is gearing up for its fourth annual Iron Vintner Challenge to benefit the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. Four new Woodinville winemakers will duke it out for the title of 2013 Iron Vintner while raising funds for this amazing organization

Custom Weather Forecasts Services 

 Click to check out our forensic & custom weather services

Email us West Coast Weather     Contact us