Ellensburg, as well as surrounding Kittitas County, is located in some
of the most unique and varied terrain in the Northwest. Because there
are deserts, long stretches of valley, and mountain ranges, a
horseback-riding enthusiast can experience a huge variety of riding
locations.
One trail everyone, no matter the riding skill should try is
the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. This former Chicago-Milwaukee-St.
Paul-Pacific Railroad line runs through Washington State and beyond. It
spans 110 miles within Washington, all perfect for riding. In Kittitas
County there are several spots to get onto the trail, including the
trailhead near Thorp, located just a few miles west of Ellensburg.
The
trailhead is located right at the Thorp exit (Exit 101). In the northern
portion of the county there are hundreds of miles of trails to ride
throughout the Wenatchee National Forest, as well as southeast of the
forest, in the Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Ronald areas. For more information
about those areas, go to
www.parks.wa.gov,
www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee, or to
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
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