[asdf]

Oh yeah - and with little to no avalanche danger.  Because I'm a scaredy cat.  So I realize this'll be east of the crest.  I kind of just need to climb up something high and walk for 5 miles and take it in.

[Malachai Constant]

Rattlesnake Ridge is probably not too snowy yet. Last week only had a few inches. 9 miles.

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"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn

[puzzlr]

I recommend FredV's general route up to Not So Sasse. We recently went up a little left of that following some tracks, but many routes would work. Ridge views don't open up until the last 45 minutes, but are worth it. Not So Sasse is way more exciting than Sasse, but you could do both. We stopped because there were snow bikes roaring down in the pass between the two.

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Mid Fork Rocks • flickr

[Mountainfisherman]

Wenas Wildlife Area, Manastash Ridge, (part of the WWA), Umptanum Ridge all offer what you’re looking for.  Along with opportunity for solitude.

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8033337

[Waterman]

Skyline at Stevens pass. Established trail to the top.

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Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost

[captain jack]

Yakima Skyline should be relatively free of snakes this time of year.

[asdf]

Mountainfisherman,

Thanks for the great info!  I have replied in that thread with a few questions for you.

[RichP]

Saddle Mountains north of Hanford is a drive up but you can walk for miles east toward Taunton Benchmark. If you don't mind hiking with the occasional percussive thump of mortars, there are some pretty good ridge runs in Yakima Training Center. Check their site for entry regs and be flexible with your plans as certain areas are routinely closed without prior notice. Cleman Mtn in the same general area but it's a hump to get up there from the highway.