more stats
1,677 ft
Distance
-146 ft
Descent
00:05:33
Avg time
-148 ft
Altitude change
3,363 ft
Altitude min
3,511 ft
Altitude max
3,511 ft
Altitude start
3,363 ft
Altitude end
-8.9%
Grade
-24.2%
Grade max
1%
Grade min
164 ft
Distance climb
1,434 ft
Distance down
75 ft
Distance flat
00:05:33
Avg time

Columnar Crest Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Naneum Ridge State Forest
    Ellensburg, Washington
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    5 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #324839 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #318532 in Trail Running
    • #49918 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Sometimes hard to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Rock Garden
  • Land Owner
    Washington DNR

This trail is rocky and steep at times, and only strong climbers will be able to stay on their bikes the entire way up. It is a fast fun descent though, and the views are great on top. Mt Adams, Mt Rainier, and Mission Ridge are visible from this point. Nice wildflowers in April and May.
For extra geology credits, walk the open ridge line east, until you find an impressive outcrop of columnar basalt tumbling down the hillside near the fence. There is no trail after the high point, but the outcrop is easy to find.

Access Info

This trail takes you from the cowboy gate in the fence near the Ellensburg Blue Loop to a high point overlooking the Kittitas Valley. From the parking area, ride up the rutted dirt road, then immediately take a left on a faint dirt road. This will pass the entrance and exit of the Ellensburg Blue Loop on your right, and will turn back into the trail on the other side of the fence. If you don't want to mess with the cowboy gate, take the Ellensburg Blue Loop until into crosses the fence with a cattle guard, then hang an immediate left on a primitive trail, for a short steep climb to rejoin the other trail.

Disclaimer

Unofficial Trail. Watch for other users on descent.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

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  • Last: Jul 17, 2024
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Columnar Crest Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 10, 2026 @ 3:23pm (America/Los_Angeles)
May 10, 2026
 Tree down upper crest 32” diameter across trail
Apr 17, 2023 @ 3:19pm
Apr 17, 2023
 reporter Lower parking lot is melted out. Trail work parties planned for 5:30pm on April 25th and May 2nd. Trails above the Basalt Cliff parking area still...
Sep 16, 2021 @ 4:38pm
Sep 16, 2021
 reporter
Jul 23, 2021 @ 7:00am
Jul 23, 2021
 reporter DNR regional closure due to extreme fire danger.
Feb 6, 2021 @ 5:09pm
Feb 6, 2021
 reporter
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Status:
on May 10, 2026
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        Directions to columnar-crest trailhead (47.114950, -120.383840)

        Photos

        13 more »
        69 |
        May 11, 2020 @ 9:22am
        May 11, 2020
        81 |
        May 11, 2020 @ 8:55am
        May 11, 2020
        110 |
        May 11, 2020 @ 8:55am
        May 11, 2020
        93 |
        May 11, 2020 @ 8:55am
        May 11, 2020

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        Frequently Asked Questions About Columnar Crest

        ▼ Where is Columnar Crest located?
        Columnar Crest is located in Naneum Ridge State Forest, Ellensburg, Washington, United States. It is part of the Naneum Ridge State Forest trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 47.11495, -120.38384.
        ▼ How hard is Columnar Crest?
        Columnar Crest is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 8.9%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Columnar Crest?
        The trail has 146 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 3,363 ft to 3,511 ft.
        ▼ Is Columnar Crest a point to point trail?
        Columnar Crest is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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