Fun XC trails easily accessed from Ellensburg. Manastash Ridge is a non-motorized multi-use area (south face of the ridge) with steep hiking trails and more moderate grade trails specific to biking. T
Fun XC trails easily accessed from Ellensburg. Manastash Ridge is a non-motorized multi-use area (south face of the ridge) with steep hiking trails and more moderate grade trails specific to biking. The trail conditions are typically good year round except for spring thaw. Avoid these trails when soft conditions exist. If the double track after the first left turn is soft, the trails above should not be ridden. Trail damage in this soil lasts year round and degrades user experience. Avoid leaving ruts.
How to Find It
Cove Road Trailhead: From exit 109 on I-90, go north toward Ellensburg. ~0.6 mi turn left onto Umptanum Rd go 1.7 mi then turn right onto Manastash Rd. Go 3.6 mi and turn left onto Cove Rd. Go 0.1 mi and park at the trailhead marked Ridge Trail Parking along a wood rail fence. Be mindful to not allow your car to extend into the roadway as this is a working road.
From exit 106 on I-90, find your way to the south side of the freeway near the KOA. Left on Thorp Highway, 0.3mi (over the bridge and past the State Patrol) take a left on Hanson Rd. Wind 3.0 miles to Cove Rd. Turn left on Cove, drive 1.0 mi south toward ridge (trails straight ahead). Stop sign and straight again on Cove 0.1 mi to parking. Again, be mindful to not allow your car to extend into the roadway as this is a working road.
The Upper, South or 'backside' trailhead: This takes about 7 additional minutes to access from E'burg but means you do not have to climb the 1,400' Chest Pains hill, or you can access it later in the ride. In Ellensburg take Umptanum Rd as if you are heading toward Umptanum Falls. As an added bonus you get spectacular views of Rainier. 3.4 miles after Umptanum Rd. turns to dirt there are a line of rocks. Park at the west end (pass all the rocks) on the right side of the road near an Orange "Fiber Optic" sign. This area is used by target shooters also, but we get along well with them and we'd like to keep it this way. Inform them where you are riding and ask them to keep all their shooting directly north. The map for the area shows the parking areas. Hop on Hippies right behind the Fiber Optic sign or roll down Umptanum Rd. (West about 250 yards) and access Hippies Use the Side Door in the first draw. Hippies is the main access trail for the body of trails in this area. You will go in and come out here. Generally the trails 'up top' are rolling, fast and flowy (think a slightly more rocky and technical version of Sage Hills in Wehatchee).
You can also access the trail network on Trailforks. - Recommended
Typical Conditions
Typically in good condition year round, but should be avoided when wet, and during extreme thaw cycles.
Local Points of Interest
- Beer: Whipsaw Brewery 704 N Wenas St (Red Pickle food truck in parking lot) and Iron Horse Brewpub - 416 North Main Street (now serving food)
- Bikes: Recycle Bike Shop - 415 North Main Street
- Great, cheap post-ride burritos: Taqueria Fidelina's 410 South Main or Tacos Chalitos - 209 South Main Street
Advocacy & Stewardship
The Mark Brewer Memorial Trails on Manastash Ridge are specific to biking but are multi-use. Use courtesy!
Turn by Turn
From Cove Road parking area, begin up double track passing through a yellow gate. Cross the irrigation canal on double plank bridge. Climb moderately steep double-track for ~0.2mi and veer left at split of hiking trails (follow the double track to the left). At the next bend, take the hard right onto single-track “Chest Pains” (it is signed from here on). At the top of the difficult switchbacks, stay straight for Chest Pains or veer right up the double track for a 75 yards for K-Pac. Pink Pelvis Loop is a 0.6mi scenic loop yielding great views without the grunt to the top. View next page for Pine Oasis Double-Track details. Chest Pains climbs ~1300 vertical feet over 3.8 miles. Take Clifford then ~300 meters later you can turn left to begin the "Pine Oasis" loop, or continue towards Cougar Bait. This option let's you hook onto Mrs. Robinson and Gnomenclature, or Gunsmoke.
Popular Options:
Shorter and Easier:
Hippies>Pine Oasis> upper Chest Pains>Cougar Bait>Gunsmoke>Hippies
Chest Pains>Oh Deer>KPac>Chest Pains
Longer:
Chest Pains Out and Back (Rip Line or Oh Deer>KPac>Chest Pains on way down)
From the upper lot: Hippies>Pine Oasis>Frisky>Gunsmoke>upper Cougar Bait>Chin Biter>Frisky>down Gunsmoke>Hippies
Longest:
Chest Pains>Pine Oasis>upper Hippies>Frisky Donkey>Gunsmoke>Cougar Bait>Chest Pains down
*Best and Longest Ride*Chest Pains>Cougar Bait>Chin Biter>right on Frisky>Gunsmoke>Pine Oasis>Chest Pains down
