Biking

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There's a trail and road for every biking level in Kittitas County, with the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail being one of the longest, most scenic and flattest. Several area roads are great to check out as well, with minimal traffic to worry about.

The League of American Bicyclists has recognized Ellensburg as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Ellensburg received a Silver Level award, joining only 73 others that have been so recognized across the country. The award recognizes Ellensburg's commitment to bicycling through bike promotion, education, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. Read More!

Manastash Metric
Travel the scenic west side of the valley to Cle Elum and return along the winding Yakima River, or turn off half-way for the alternate 50 kilometer ride. Visit their web site at: drier-ride.org. Click here to watch a video of this bike ride.

Trails

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
Head east on Interstate 90 and take exit 101 (Thorp Highway), turn left. The trailhead is just behind the Thorp Fruit Stand. There are other trailheads as well, less than a mile from the Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 97 intersection. With a minimal grade of no more than 2.2 percent, this wide and well-worn trail meanders through eclectic scenery, from rivers to forest and desert land. Considered good for novices or just the laid back ride. Also popular for hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and horseback riding.

Shoestring Lake
Take Umptanum Road south to Manastash Road. Head west until the road ends and get on U.S. Forest Service Road 31, past Buck Meadows to the trailhead at USFS Road 3100. Considered a beautiful and easy ride.

North Fork Taneum
Head east on Interstate 90 and take exit 101 (Thorp Highway), turn left. The trailhead is just behind the Thorp Fruit Stand. There are other trailheads as well, less than a mile from the Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 97 intersection. With a minimal grade of no more than 2.2 percent, this wide and well-worn trail meanders through eclectic scenery, from rivers to forest and desert land. Considered good for novices or just the laid back ride. Also popular for hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and horseback riding.

Fishhook Trail
Take Interstate 90 to exit 93 to Taneum Road and go west to USFS Road 33. Go west on USFS Road 3300 to USFS Road 3322 and to the South Fork Taneum Trail, No. 1367, which leads to Fishhook, No. 1378. Considered for experts only and has been ranked as one of the best rides in the U.S.

Roads

Highway 10
Head west on University Way from Ellensburg, turn right on Reecer Creek Road, then an immediate left on Highway 10. There's no bike lane, so watch for traffic, and the speed limit is 50 mph at its slowest area, but motorists tend to travel faster. A great road for viewing the Yakima River, with an easier ride near Ellensburg and growing more difficult as you head west.

Highway 97
Follow the directions above for Highway 10. Turn right on to U.S. Highway 97, the exit to Wenatchee. Also a highway without lanes, this road has some higher speeds, but it's a great ride, with tons of scenery.

Kittitas Highway
Go south on Main Street in downtown Ellensburg and turn left on Mountain View Avenue. This road becomes Kittitas Highway. The road is long and flat for an easy ride. But watch for fast-moving vehicles.

Reecer Creek Road
Head west on University Way and turn right on to Reecer Creek Road. This road meanders through pasturelands, going north and then turning in to Bender Road, which will bring you back into town.