Ellensburg Orchard Loop

Come join us as we ride through Kittitas county's varied agricultural areas southwest of Ellensburg. We will ride through hay fields, orchards and cow pastures. We should be able to view several different raptors, hawks, falcons, and possibly eagles.
We will depart from The ReCycle Shop in Ellensburg ride at a steady pace (12-14 mph, see link below) out to Orchard Road and then back to Ellensburg to finish at D&M Coffee's new downtown location. The route out of Ellensburg passes by the newly remodeled Morgan Middle School and then the high school and out through Grasslands neighborhood. We then head east on the Kittitas Highway meandering through still dormant hay fields up a short climb on Emerson Road with a re-group at the top if needed. We'll then ride through the orchards on Dodge and Orchard Roads, a few small hills to a re-group at Thrall Road. We will then ride west and north back to Ellensburg passing cow pastures with many newborn calves and more hay fields.

Arrive by 10:00 AM to hear any route updates and our SMART talk. We will depart at 10:20 sharp.

Free parking is available one block west along Water Street.

There are restrooms available at several downtown businesses. None along the route. Please be respectful and purchase something if you use a restroom.

Ride with GPS route link is below. If you need a cue sheet please print your own as we will not provide one.

Click on the red "Register Now" button under the title above, then check the box for "Waiver Signature" and fill in the contact information. This will improve legibility and expedite the sign-up at the start.  On-line RSVP requires a Cascade Bicycle Club account, which is easy to set up, but if you don't want one, come anyway and sign the hard-copy "Safety Affirmation and Liability Release" at the start. 

Cancellation: If the weather meets the steady rain cnacels criteria a notice will be posted in the comments below two hours before ride time. Strong (25 mph+) gusty winds or winter weather (snow, ice, sleet) will also cancel.