Forecast: Cashmere

Highlight: Lion Rock offers one of the best 360-degree campsites in Washington.

WABDR Section #3: Ellensburg to Cashmere

  • Start: Ellensburg, WA

  • End: Cashmere, WA

  • Distance: Approximately 80 miles

  • Time: 5–7 hours

  • Technical Difficulty: Moderate. This section involves steep, sustained climbs and descents. The road surfaces can be very rocky (loose "baby head" rocks) and can become impassable "peanut butter" mud if it has rained recently.

Highlights

  • Lions Rock: 47.2530, -120.5878. Often called the crown jewel of the WABDR. At 6,360 feet, it offers a stunning 360-degree view of the Stuart Range, the Enchantments, and the Kittitas Valley.

  • Table Mountain: A high plateau with unique geological formations and sprawling meadows. The route traverses this area before dropping down toward the historic Liberty mining district.

  • Old Blewett Pass Highway: A section of the original highway that is now a narrow, winding, paved-but-crumbling road through the forest. It’s a fun, twisty break from the gravel.

  • Mission Ridge View: As you descend toward Cashmere, you get views of the Mission Ridge ski area and the Columbia River winding through the Wenatchee Valley.

Gas & Refueling

  • Recommended Minimum Range: 100 miles.

  • Primary Fuel: Refill in Ellensburg and Cashmere.

  • Mid-Route Fuel (Emergency): There is no gas directly on the track. If you are low on fuel, you must drop down to Hwy 97 near Mineral Springs or Blewett Pass.

    • Note: Because this section is shorter (80 miles), most riders starting with a full tank in Ellensburg will have no trouble reaching Cashmere.

Where to Stay

  • Mid-Route (High Elevation):

    • Camping: Haney Meadow (47.2885, -120.5284) is a beautiful, high-elevation meadow with a campground and a nearby historic cabin (Ken Wilcox Horse Camp).

    • Dispersed: Lions Rock offers several primitive spots with world-class views, though it can be very windy and cold at night.

  • Cashmere (End):

    • Hotels: Village Inn Cashmere (Very rider-friendly and walkable to downtown).

    • Camping: Wenatchee River County Park is nearby and offers full facilities.

Pro-Tip for Section 3

Beware the Table Mountain Mud. The soil on the high plateau near Lions Rock is high in clay. If it rains, the "dirt" turns into a thick, sticky mud that can jam up your front fender and make the steep descents extremely dangerous. If the weather looks wet, consider checking local rider forums or calling the Cle Elum Ranger District for a road condition report.

Additionally, this section has several "false trails" and intersecting forest roads—keep your Gaia GPS or navigation unit zoomed in to ensure you don't take a wrong turn down a dead-end logging spur.