Guides/Off-road trails/Washington
Off-road trail22.4 midifficulty: difficult

Manastash Ridge OHV Trail

RegionWashingtonAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Manastash Ridge OHV Trail — off-road trail near Cle Elum, Washington, Washington
Agne27 at English Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
22.4mi
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD with low-range gearing and off-road tires. Steep climbs and rocky terrain.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty
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Manastash Ridge OHV Trail (Trail #1388) is a 22.4-mile point-to-point OHV route along the divide between the Naches and Cle Elum ranger districts of Washington's Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, southeast of Cle Elum. The trail runs from Quartz Mountain along Manastash Ridge to Rocky Saddle, where it transitions into a single-track motorcycle-only trail (1388.1).

The area is a hotspot for high-clearance 4WDs, ATVs, and dirt bikes, with steep climbs and rocky terrain. Open ridgetop sections offer wide views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. A larger 39.2-mile loop incorporating Manastash with adjacent USFS roads provides a longer adventure for full-size 4x4 drivers. Snow closes the route most of the year; ride season runs June through October.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Snow closure. November through May.
  • Rocky terrain. Tire damage on the rocky climbs.
  • Steep grades. Low-range 4WD required.
  • Cell coverage. Spotty.
  • Hunting seasons. Fall hunting overlap with riding season.
  • Wildlife. Black bears, mule deer, mountain lions.
  • Fire restrictions. Common in late summer.

Location

22.4 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 46.970, -120.970

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townCle Elum, Washington
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=57649&actid=93
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location46.970, -120.970

Getting there

Directions

From I-90 at exit 101 (Thorp Highway), turn south on Thorp Way South for 1.9 miles. Turn west on Cove Road for 4.1 miles to Manastash Road. Continue west 7.3 miles until the road becomes Forest Road 31; continue 10.3 miles on FR-31 paralleling Manastash Creek to the trailhead.

Approximate trailhead coordinates: 46.970° N, -120.970° W.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Manastash Ridge runs east-west on the boundary between Kittitas County (north) and Yakima County (south), in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range. Cle Elum on Interstate 90 is the closest service town to the northern access; Yakima is the regional service hub to the south. The ridge sits in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest with multiple ranger districts overseeing the OHV trail network.

Trail Overview

From the trailhead at Quartz Mountain (accessed via Forest Road 31 paralleling Manastash Creek), the trail climbs along the ridge with steep rocky sections. The route runs along the divide for 22.4 miles, with multiple side trails branching to viewpoints and other OHV areas. The trail's character is unrelenting: steep climbs, rocky descents, and exposed ridgeline. Drivers without low-range 4WD or proper tires will struggle in the rocky sections.

Most ATV and dirt-bike riders run point-to-point with shuttle vehicles. Full-size 4WD drivers often run the larger 39.2-mile loop combining Manastash with adjacent forest roads.

Points of Interest

  • Quartz Mountain. Western trailhead with 4WD parking.
  • Rocky Saddle. Eastern transition point where the trail changes to motorcycle-only single-track.
  • Mount Rainier views. Visible from the higher ridge sections.
  • Mount Adams views. Visible to the south on clear days.
  • Manastash Creek. Followed by Forest Road 31 for access.
  • Cle Elum Ranger District network. Connects to many other OHV trails.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding national forest with the standard 14-day stay limit. Several Forest Service campgrounds line I-90 near Cle Elum (Wish Poosh, Salmon La Sac). Cle Elum has commercial RV parks.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Ride June through October. Snow closes the ridge the rest of the year.
  • All OHVs require Washington ORV registration plus a Discover Pass.
  • Carry recovery gear and a full-size spare. Tire damage on the rocky terrain is common.
  • Travel in two or more vehicles. The remoteness makes solo travel risky.
  • Cell coverage is spotty.
  • Watch for hunters during fall hunting seasons; wear visible clothing.
  • Stay on designated trails. Off-trail driving in the national forest is prohibited.
  • Spark arresters required; sound limit 96 dB.
  • Top off fuel in Cle Elum or Ellensburg before riding.
  • Contact the Cle Elum Ranger District at 509-852-1100 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Manastash Ridge OHV Trail?
Manastash Ridge OHV Trail is rated difficult. The route runs 22.4 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Manastash Ridge OHV Trail?
High-clearance 4WD with low-range gearing and off-road tires. Steep climbs and rocky terrain.
When is the best time to visit Manastash Ridge OHV Trail?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Manastash Ridge OHV Trail?
Spotty