We returned to the sunny side of the mountains for a hike of the highpoint of Umtanum Ridge, Rattler Benchmark. A high road permits easy access in the summer months if you have a high clearance vehicle, but we wanted to snowshoe from the Umtanum Falls Trailhead which is about 10 miles from Ellensburg on the Umptanum Rd.
The road is in good shape and plowed. There are a few potholes on the dirt section but it is suitable for any car. We parked and walked west for 10 minutes on the road to another trailhead where we crossed a bridge over Umtanum Ck and began our ascent via an old road in a forested draw.
Parking at Umtanum Falls Trailhead.
About 200 yards west is another trailhead with a bridge that crosses Umtanum Ck.
Heading up a forested draw on an old road.
After a mile we arrived to a large flat area with views up our route. The snow was firm enough that we booted up to this point on a broken trail.
As we got higher snowshoes were useful and we gained the top of the ridge in good conditions, much different from our last hike in the area a week earlier.
Out on the flats below Umtanum Ridge.
Puzzlr marching to the top of the ridge.
Don on the ascent.
Ski tracks on the final slopes below Umtanum Ridge.
On the top of the ridge we followed a road west about 1/2 mile to our goal and topped out in sunny, peasant weather.
One of many birdhouses in the area.
Walking along the ridge top road to Rattler Benchmark.
Don on Rattler Benchmark, the highpoint of Umtanum Ridge 4224.'
Looking easterly.
West to Manastash Ridge.
The Kittitas Valley.
A small slide on the way down.
The hike down was fast in good snow and we stopped off in Ellensburg for refreshments before the drive home.
1800 ft gain and 6 miles RT.
glenn_b, we were wondering if we'd find out who made those tracks. We thought it might be Big Steve getting in a few turns. You must have had a dog with you, a very energetic dog that ran all over the place.
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