Snoqualmie Pass to the Columbia River
The next time you find yourself driving across Washington State, give yourself a little time to stop and explore. This week, we are going to trek through Kittitas County to the Columbia River. Each of these stops is within 5 miles of an Interstate exit so you can hop off, explore something new, and continue easily on your way.
Coming down Easton Hill, if you get off at Exit 71, there are a couple of good places to stretch your legs, have a picnic, or enjoy the water. Lake Easton State Park and the Palouse to Cascades State Park trail are both on the west side of the road. Lake Easton State Park has a day-use area with a beach, playground, and picnic tables set along the lakeshore. There is also a boat launch, campground, and trails.
A Longer Sojourn.
If you would like a longer walk, you can park at the Palouse to Cascades Trailhead and follow the trail. If you head north on the trail, it will take you along the shore of Lake Easton. You can make a loop by coming back through the park (although you will have to walk along the road a short distance to complete the loop). Another good spot to stop off this exit is a pair of small ponds owned by the WSDOT which has parking and a picnic table. You can walk around the ponds or cross over to the shores of the Yakima River. Before getting back on the highway, stop off at The Hitching Post for a bite to eat or to stock up on supplies for the drive. Let them know that you saw them on our Northwest Portal maps!
Cle Elum
If you are thirsty or hungry after leaving Easton, stop off and check out one of the many beers on tap at the newest Dru Bru pub in Cle Elum. While there, sample the food truck offerings from Stella’s and Swift Fired Pizza.
East from Cle Elum, the fastest route is down I-90, but if you want a scenic drive that doesn’t add too much time to your trip, consider taking Highway 10 through the Upper Yakima River Canyon into Ellensburg.
Ellensburg
Make sure to stop off in Ellensburg, where you can explore the historic downtown or enjoy a walk along the Yakima River at Irene Rinehart Park.
The next leg takes you east past one of Kittitas County’s three wind farms before dropping down to Vantage on the Columbia River. Before crossing the river, you can stop at the Gingko Petrified Forest Visitor Center set high on a bluff over the Columbia River to learn more about the history and geology of the region and see some petroglyphs that were moved up to the bluff when their original location was flooded by the Wanapum Dam. If you prefer to swim or soak up the sun, head south from I-90 to Wanapum Recreation Area, where a long grassy slope leads down to a beach and swimming area just above the Wanapum Dam. Picnic tables and BBQ grills make this a good spot to spend a lazy summer afternoon.
