See the turbines up close and explore the shrub steppe at the Wild Horse Wind-farm
The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility on a ridge east of Ellensburg, is this week’s hidden Gem. Located high on the slope of Whiskey Dick Mountain between Ellensburg and Vantage on the Columbia River, Puget Sound Energy opens the wind farm lands to the public from April 1-October 31st. Learn about renewable energy, the ecosystem of the Kittitas Valley, and the history and culture of the area, with exceptional displays about how the native people who have been in this region since before statehood have used the land and resources.
For a close-up view of the wind turbines and to learn more about renewable energy and the facility, join a free 60-minute walking tour at 10am or 2pm daily. You can also see just how big the turbine blades are, as there is a turbine mounted on the ground next to the visitor center.
The windfarm also hosts events around the season, including races, wildflower walks, history tours, activities for kids and more. If you want a prime view of the Perseid Meteor Shower, sign up for the free watch party, limited to 200 people, and enjoy an evening of twilight tours, kid activities and, of course, an opportunity to lean back and watch the show. Check the schedule in the Events tab of the visitor page for more information on upcoming activities.
During the open season, people can enjoy non-motorized recreation within the wind farm boundary, including hiking, horse riding, biking, hunting and wildlife viewing/bird watching. This is a great place to enjoy scenic views of the Kittitas Valley and Cascade Mountains, explore the shrub steppe ecosystem, enjoy amazing wildflowers, and to get a “blow-out” as winds average 17 mph and can gust much higher. For safety reasons, visitors must stay at least 300’ from turbines unless they are with a guide and wearing appropriate safety gear.
Photo credit Rick Obst.
There is no cost to visit the wind farm, but you will need an access pass that you can print out ahead of time or pick up at the visitor center. You do not need a permit, if to drive across the windfarm on Beacon Ridge Road to access the Quilomene Wildlife Area north of the windfarm.
Gingko Petrified Forest
The windfarm is off of Vantage Highway. If you want to do a loop from Ellensburg, once you are done at the wind farm, head east to the Gingko Petrified Forest trailhead for a hike that takes you around a number of petrified tree stumps, and then stop at the state park’s visitor center to learn more about the area, including information about the Great Missoula Floods, before heading back from Vantage on I-90.