Manastash Ridge facts for kids
Manastash Ridge is a long, interesting mountain ridge located in central Washington state, United States. It stretches for about 50 miles, mostly from west to east, through Kittitas and Yakima counties. This ridge is a cool example of how Earth's forces can shape the land over millions of years!
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Discovering Manastash Ridge
Manastash Ridge is a special type of mountain ridge. It's known as an anticline. Imagine pushing a rug from both ends – it forms a hump in the middle. That's similar to how an anticline forms in the Earth's crust! This ridge is part of a larger area called the Yakima Fold Belt.
How Manastash Ridge Was Formed
Millions of years ago, huge amounts of liquid rock, called lava, flowed across this area. These lava flows cooled and hardened, forming thick layers of rock known as the Columbia River Basalt Group. Over time, powerful forces deep within the Earth slowly pushed and folded these rock layers. This folding created the long, wavy ridges we see today, including Manastash Ridge.
Where is Manastash Ridge Located?
Manastash Ridge is found in the heart of Washington state. It runs through Kittitas and Yakima counties. The ridge stretches for about 50 miles (80 kilometers), making it a significant feature in the landscape.
High Points of the Ridge
The very highest point on Manastash Ridge is Manastash Peak. It stands tall at about 6,335 feet (1,931 meters) above sea level. This peak is located about 22.4 miles (36 kilometers) west of the city of Ellensburg, Washington.
Other notable peaks along the ridge include:
- Quartz Mountain, reaching about 6,289 feet (1,917 meters).
- Mount Clifty, standing at approximately 6,243 feet (1,903 meters).
- Lookout Mountain, with an elevation of about 6,188 feet (1,886 meters).
Traveling Across the Ridge
Interstate 82 is a major highway that crosses through the eastern part of Manastash Ridge. If you're driving south from Ellensburg, you'll reach the Manastash Ridge Summit at milepost 7 on the interstate. This point is about 24 miles (39 kilometers) north of Yakima, Washington and sits at an elevation of about 2,672 feet (814 meters).
Manastash Ridge Observatory
Did you know that Manastash Ridge is also a place for looking at the stars? The astronomy department from the University of Washington has an observatory here. The Manastash Ridge Observatory is located about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) west-southwest of Ellensburg. It's a great spot for scientists to study space because the air is often clear and there's less light pollution.
