The way points of this bicycle route:
Proceed riding north the through CWU campus on Walnut Mall.
Ride across 14th Ave, continuing north on Walnut Ave which will become Airport Road.
Take the new Bowers Road Western extension - it's a nicer way to get to Reecer Creek road than Bender Road! Turn left.
Turn right.
Turn left.
Turn left.
Turn right.
Here's where the canyon part of the ride begins. Before I-90 was completed, this was one of the most important highways connecting eastern and western Washington. With the interstate in place, the highway now fills the role of being a low traffic and extraordinarily scenic route between Ellensburg and Cle Elum, with all the wonderful things that means to bicyclists. Turn right.
You can turn off Highway 10 here and head to Thorp and then on back into Ellensburg. OR, you could continue your route through the gorgeous upper Yakima canyon. It's a wonderful ride for the next 9 miles to Teanaway. From Teanaway there are many riding options including a loop back into Ellensburg via (much higher and more dangerous traffic but incredibly scenic) highways 970 and 97. Or there's a "back" way into Cle Elum on Airport Road, and from there into Roslyn and Ronald, and for the true endurance/century set, Salmon la Sac and even Cooper Lake. To continue on this route turn left.
Cross the Yakima River.
This railroad crossing is a bit rough (summer 2008) - use caution.
The Thorp Mill is a nice rest stop - look at the history displays! There was a small shop in Thorp that was a good place to buy a snack and a drink but it burned to the ground recently - maybe someday it will be replaced.
Stay on the Thorp Highway as it jogs left then right through the town of Thorp.
Cross I-90 on overpass.
Wave to the golfers as you zip by!
Turn right.
Turn left.
Turn left.
Turn left.
Turn right. Obey the several stop lights and stop signs you'll encounter in town for the final mile of this ride.
Turn left.
Treat yourself to something at Vinman's bakery in the at the corner of University Way and Walnut Street!
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
Tour along portion of Yakima river into Thorp and back into Ellensburg. Farms and ranches yield to a scenic river canyon; watch the river floaters (on a hot summer day or when the fish are biting), then climb a hill and zoom down its side to a bridge across the river; rest while you tour a renovated grist mill; and wave to golfers on your home stretch. This loop is, perhaps, most responsible for starting my love affair with Kittitas Valley cycling. This Kittitas Valley loop ride starts and ends in Ellensburg at the corner of University Way and Walnut and passes through Thorp.
Tagged with: Low traffic, Rural, Scenic
