Introduction
The Manastash Ridge Trails (MRT) system is on public land (Figure 1) within a 2,005-acre planning area located on the north face of Manastash Ridge and within the Wenas Wildlife Area. It is located near the city of Ellensburg (Figure 2), a rapidly growing area of central Washington, and accessed primarily from the county parking area off the south end of Cove Road near its intersection with Manastash Road. The MRT system includes the trails from the valley bottom to a high point on the ridge, known to many users as “The Book”.
The Manastash Ridge Trails (MRT) system is a network of user-built trails on state-managed lands that have been used by residents of Kittitas County for over 60 years. The first recreation trails were adapted from game and livestock trails. Eventually, people expanded these trails from the Kittitas Valley bottom at Cove Road to a viewpoint on Manastash Ridge, also known as “The Book.” Enjoyed year–round, the trails provide a picturesque setting for a variety of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, as well as photography, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and family outings.
Over time the system has become well established and used extensively. The MRT provides convenient recreation for the Kittitas County community and welcomes visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. There are reports of visitors traveling from as far away as New Zealand.
Use and expansion of the MRT system by users has intensified in recent years resulting in impacts to local wildlife and habitat. This has demonstrated a need for more deliberate planning and management to protect the local environment and preserve the quality of recreational experience available within the MRT system for future generations.
This plan provides a starting place for guiding the development and facilitating the management of a sustainable trail system.