Trip
Day Hike - Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail
Manastash Ridge wildflower hike with a grand view of the Kittitas Valley, Stuart Range, and Yakima Canyon! Read notes below.
Contacts
- Fri, Apr 24, 2015
- Foothills Hiking Committee
- Day Hiking
- Adults, 20-30 Somethings
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 7.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,750 ft
- 10 (9 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
10am Ellensburg Conoco gas station on I-90 Exit 109 (Canyon Road/SR 821 exit)
7.5 miles, 1750ft. gain
The third of my Yakima Canyon Wildflower Hike Series. A good but rocky trail steeply climbs out of the Yakima Canyon to a viewpoint on Manastash Ridge, then an old road goes onward to a high point at the comms towers on the ridge above I-82. Excellent views of the Ellensburg area and Mt. Stuart! Balsalmroot and lupine are the main flowers of the hike but there are lots of other smaller species too. Also a good chance of seeing a large deer herd up there.
Current weather forecast is PARTLY SUNNY at 60 degrees.
My trip report from 4/7: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2015-04-07.7402034183
Also check out the hikes I have listed in May:
5/2 Icicle Ridge: https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/activities/day-hike-icicle-ridge-9
5/9 Mt. Jupiter: https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/activities/day-hike-mount-jupiter
Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail
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WA DNR Yakima
USGS Ellensburg South
USGS Kittitas - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
The usual, and a camera