Edgar Rock doesn't feel as steep as it is - May 2017

So far, Edgar Rock has been one of my favorites since I moved to the Yakima area. It is not far outside of town. It is 1.1 miles to the summit, which makes it a short hike. You pick up 1470 feet in elevation, but it's a steady climb that makes efficient use of that mile, so it doesn't feel dramatically steep. It's a short little conditioner that I plan to repeat plenty in the future!

Edgar Rock
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Parking permit: None needed (shoulder parking)
Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip
Elevation gain: 1470'

From Yakima, take Highway 12 west toward Naches. You'll pass through Naches. At the junction with Hwy 410, stay straight to go on 410. After almost 18 miles, not far past Gold Creek Saloon, you'll see a sign for "Lost Creek Village"; follow the sign to turn off on the left. You'll follow the road (Old River Road, though good luck finding a sign to tell you that) until you reach a T junction with a dirt road. Hang a left on the dirt road and follow it until you get to a sharp hairpin turn; you'll see the sign for Trail 964 on the right. The road is narrow but there's parking for 4-5 cars on a couple shoulder pull-outs in the area.

You'll climb up through the pine groves that provide shade from the sun. The landscape here can't figure out if it wants to be forest or steppe, which makes for a unique landscape. About halfway up, there's a lookout area if you need a break. Afterward, you'll alternate between shaded tree cover and walking past craggy rock formations that climb out of the surrounding landscape.

Two boulders and a tree have arranged themselves just so.

 

I didn't get photos, but I did see a couple very curious elk. They stayed a respectable distance away. Scat on the trail indicates there's probably a healthy population in the area.

Near the top, you'll come across a T junction helpfully marked "Trail". You'll want to hang right to go up to the Edgar Rock summit.

At the top, you can find the old foundations of a fire lookout that once sat. It's a good place for a picnic lunch! It was rather windy when I went up. I didn't linger too long before retreating back into the trees for some cover.

   

Overall, it was a great, short hike that wasn't too terrible far out of town. Definitely one to return to!