A very muddy ridge and a new map

I've been doing more hiking up Ahtanum Ridge at Fullbright Park. I've found a larger network of trails and an improved ascent since my first time. Here, I made a map:

Ahtanum Ridge
Union Gap Parks & Rec
Parking permit: None needed (though register your car if you park inside the museum)
Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip
Elevation: ~800'

Head south on Main Street in Union Gap and head south toward Highway 97. Partway across the bridge is the turnoff for the park. You will also see signs for the Agricultural Museum. Drive all the way back and park either just outside the museum by the decommissioned military tank, or if it's a slow day park inside and register your vehicle.

The dotted blue trails include the original loop I discovered, as well as a few other paths. The purple trail is now my preferred route, and it adds 1.5 miles and 300' of elevation gain to my original loop. It's switchbacked out, so even though it's a higher point of elevation it's more of a manageable climb, as the other ascents are very steep and can hurt the toes. At the top, there's a dirt service road for the radio towers and a nice view of the lower valley; heading east to the end of the road offers a lookout of Rattlesnake Ridge as well.

The trailhead for this route is just inside the museum. Walk in and up toward the gate to the water tower. At the gate, you'll see the trailhead sign. There's a second trailhead at the military tank, and there are some connecting trails that cut over, so that's an option as well.

From the bottom, looking up

Climbing and looking out over Union Gap

Now I gotta say something: respect the mud. On my latest hike up here, the ascent was not bad. I left in the morning when the ground was still frozen, which gave me a nice solid surface to walk on. But by noon when I was descending, the sun had warmed the trail and all that frost had melted, turning the trail to mud.

Quickly, I learned that Eastern Washington mud is different than the Western Washington mud I am used to. In Western Washington, there are leaves and twigs and detritus mixed in with the mud that offer some level of traction, so while it makes a mess of things, it's generally still hikeable. Here, the mud is smooth, slick, and slippery. I fell on my face and on my ass multiple times. Near the bottom where the trail descents in and out of a gully, I literally slid down and was unable to climb out due to the slick mud and steep trail. This lead to bushwacking my way through the gully until I found a spot where I could safely climb out and rejoin the trail. It was not the most pleasant of hikes. I have learned my lesson the hard way.

When it's dry, though, it's a fantastic trail, so I will be returning many more times over the years.

View of the Lower Yakima Valley along the service road atop the ridge

Rattlesnake Ridge sits on the other side of the river

Clearing up some Rattlesnake Ridge misconceptions

I'd just like to clear up some misconceptions I've seen some hikers in online forums having about Rattlesnake Ridge.

There are two Rattlesnake Ridges in Washington State (at least, two that I am aware of). One of them has been in the media lately for having a crack and a slow-moving landslide that's led to recent evacuations and road closures. One of them is a very popular hiking spot in North Bend.

I would like to assure you these are not the same Rattlesnake Ridge.

The North Bend one looks like this:

The one with the crack is south of Yakima is adjacent to Ahtanum Ridge (see previous pics) and looks like this:

Rest assured, your favorite hiking spot is safe! I've seen so many people seeing the news headlines and panicking that Rattlesnake Ledge is in danger. It's not. You're good. Go enjoy your hike.

This trail up Ahtanum Ridge is safe too, as it's north of the fault (the slide is moving south) and is on the opposite end of the river.