Hikes, epic views and endless beauty
Guest article/photos by local outdoor enthusiast Shannon Mahre
When visiting Union Gap in the Yakima Valley, you don’t have to travel far to find yourself adventuring in magical forests full of quiet trails and panoramic views. For hikers and trail runners, the trails in Ahtanum State Forest are known for their beauty, quality surfaces and stunning views. Located just 30 miles outside of Yakima, this truly is a hidden gem in Washington State.
From spring into summer, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wildflowers, but not crowds of people. In the fall, vibrant yellows, oranges and even reds abound, creating an atmosphere that will make for the perfect sunshine filled hike with a thermos full of cocoa and snacks in your pack. As winter and snow arrives, many of the trails convert to a snowmobile + ORV playground.
Into mountain biking, horseback riding, dirt biking or other ORV activities? There’s at least one trail at Ahtanum that’ll deliver the goods. And if gravel road exploring is of interest you, there is also a vast Green Dot Road System that spanning over 560 miles.
My advice? Grab your adventure gear, pack a picnic, snag a coffee in Yakima and hop in your car for a mellow, 40-60 minute drive into the forest and mountains for a day to truly reset, bathe in nature and embrace this playground that locals cherish and travelers never forget.
White’s Ridge Trail
Distance from Union Gap: 28.8 miles and approximately 43 minutes drive time.
Location: 46.5144, -121.0193 // There is a large parking area with ample parking for trailer and large vehicles as well as pit toilets where the trail head begins.
Trail length and elevation gain: 10.9 miles roundtrip (loop) and 1500 ft of elevation gain.
Trail Difficulty: For hikers and trail runners, this trail is moderate to hard — mainly due to the elevation and the distance. There are no technical portions of the trail beyond a few rocky and root-filled areas where you may just need you to watch your step a bit more than usual. The trail has a large amount of soft, loamy surface that is great for trail running. This trail is also open to equestrians.
Trail Description: No matter how many times I run or hike this trail, I always come back to it multiple times a year. Why? Because with every season, the beauty surrounding me along the 10.9 miles changes in the most exquisite ways. In the spring, wildflowers galore is basically the only way to describe what you are in for. And once you get up to White’s Ridge, the trees will open up, delivering views of surrounding mountains, valleys and even Mount Adams. The fall delivers golds, yellows, oranges and every other fall color in the docket. And if you make it out after just a dusting of October snow, well then, my friend, you may just be in for the most magical season of all.
Grey Rock Trail
Distance from Union Gap: 34.3 miles and approximately 55 minutes drive time.
Location: 46.4986, -121.1180 // The Grey Rock Trailhead is across the green dot road from the Tree Phones Campground. There are pit toilets at the campground/parking area that you can use.
Trail length and elevation gain: 7 miles roundtrip (out and back), 1500 ft of elevation gain.
Trail Difficulty: For hikers and trail runners, this trail is moderate to hard — mainly due to the elevation gain. The trail is a mix of loamy, soft ground, rocks and some roots. This is a multi-use trail that is also open to mountain bikes, dirt bikes and equestrians.
Trail Description: Grey Rock truly delivers when it comes to mountain views and if you hit it just right in the spring and early summer, a trail lined with thousands of wildflowers. Over the 3.5 miles to your turnaround point, you’ll pass Ponderosa Pines, Douglas Firs, Subalpine Firs and even Spruce Forests. And on a clear day at the top? You’ll be rewarded with views of not only Mount Adams, but Mount Rainier as well. And don’t forget about this trail in the fall. You’ll miss out on those brilliant fall colors that make our area so famous. Is it worth the 1500 feet of vert? The answer is a resounding YES.
Eagle’s Nest Vista (viewpoint)
Distance from Union Gap: 37.4 miles and approximately 1 hour 7 minutes drive time.
Location: 46.5110, -121.1756 // Plug the GPS into your device and you’ll be good to go. This viewpoint has a large sign and is right off of the main road that takes you up the mountain.
Description/why it’s worth the trip: The first time that I drove up to Eagle’s Nest Vista, I had to stop at least three times along the road to take in the wildflowers and mountain beauty that surrounded me seemingly around every turn. After parking in a very well-taken care of parking area, we made our way up the short gravel path to the viewpoint. A rock wall, picnic tables and breathtaking views welcomed us and we couldn’t help but sit down with our dog to just take in the moment to listen to the birds and watch the wispy clouds move past high overhead. There is even a short trail along the edge of the mountainside that we spent some time exploring — keep in mind that if you have kiddos, you’d want to keep a hand on them in this area. There is a wire chain barrier but it is not kiddo proof.
Categorized in: Outdoor
