Manastash Ridge

Manastash Ridge runs mostly west-to-east in Kittitas and Yakima counties, for approximately 50 miles.

The ridge is part of the Yakima Fold Belt of east-tending long ridges formed by the folding of Miocene Columbia River basalt flows.

[1] The name Manastash comes from the Sahaptin word /máːmaštaš/, possibly meaning "we are going root digging".

[3] Interstate 82 crosses through the eastern portion of the ridge; the Manastash Ridge Summit is located at milepost 7 of the interstate (south of Ellensburg) or about 24 miles (39 km) north of Yakima, Washington at an elevation of 2,672 feet (814 m).

The astronomy department of the University of Washington maintains the Manastash Ridge Observatory, located about 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Ellensburg.