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A tough course with very steep ascents and descents but great views when you're on the ridge


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Map Key

15.6

Miles

25.0

KM

74%

Runnable

3,430' 1,046 m

High

1,287' 392 m

Low

4,518' 1,377 m

Up

4,514' 1,376 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

A classic Rainshadow Running event that sells out, along with the 50k the day before, every year. This is one of the few, if not only, trail running races around Ellensburg/Yakima, WA and provides runners from the PNW a completely different experience to their locals trails. Driving over the Cascade range from the west, the sheltering rainforest disappears and is replaced with open, dry, desert-like vistas. This out and back race is a big climb, followed by 3 miles of ridge running and then a big descent where you turnaround and do it again back to the start.

Runner Notes

Don't venture off the trail and watch for Rattlesnakes.

Description

Begin between the Umtanum Recreation Area campground and the river on private land. Run south with the river on your right a short while. Take the first left and then another hard left when you hit the gravel Umtanum Recreation Area road. Follow the road to the end loop and cross the footbridge. Continue by ducking under the railroad bridge. Immediately turn left (straight or right will take you on a trail along the creek) and then turn right after a short 20 meters or so.

This trail will climb gradually at first but soon steeply. After about 2.5 miles you'll reach the Umtanum Ridge Jeep Rd, turn left on the jeep road. Follow the jeep road for 3 miles as it undulates but overall is downhill in this direction. You'll have great views of the surrounding Cascade mountains including Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams and potentially Mt. Baker as well. Towards the end you'll also have views of the Yakima river below.

Turn right onto the Roza Creek Umtanum Ridge trail which is steep and gets even steeper at the end. This trail is faint at times and requires concentration to not lose course. At the bottom the trail curves to the left. The turnaround is about 200 meters down the trail.

Turnaround and retrace your steps to the start. Now continue running straight until the road ends and you'll have reached the finish line in the shade of some trees. Go lay in the river, you earned it!

Flora & Fauna

Various wildflowers, snakes, deer and possibly bighorn sheep.

Shared By:

Tad Davis

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 3 votes

#2

in Umtanum

#2663

Overall
  4.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
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0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Umtanum

#142

in Washington

#2,663

Overall
8 Views Last Month
916 Since Apr 18, 2016
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Photos

Finishing off the Yakima Skyline 25k at the base of the Umtanum Vista Trail
Apr 19, 2016 near Kittitas, WA
Climbing up the Umtanum Vista Trail during the 2016 Yakima Skyline 25k
Apr 19, 2016 near Kittitas, WA
Steepest portion of climb up Umantum Ridge Trail - the clouds are hiding the top!
Dec 10, 2017 near Ellensburg, WA
View of the Umtanum Ridge area from about halfway up the trail
Dec 10, 2017 near Kittitas, WA

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