Central Washington University - Department of Geography: Location

Ellensburg and Kittitas Valley

Physical Geography

Central Washington University is within the city of Ellensburg, in the Kittitas Valley, situated between the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River. Ellensburg is surrounded by open space with wide views across irrigated agricultural land. From the valley, the granite summit of Mount Stuart (9,415 ft) can be seen rising above the Wenatchee Mountains. From east of town, glacier-clad Mount Rainier (14,410 ft) is visible above Manastash Ridge. The Yakima, Cle Elum, and Teanaway Rivers flow from glaciated terrain near the Cascade Crest, then merge and cross alluvial floodplains before exiting the valley through the Yakima Canyon to the south of Ellensburg. To the east of Ellensburg are the basalt cliffs of the Columbia River, gouged by the ice age Missoula floods.

Climate

Ellensburg is located in a semi-arid region, and receives an average of 9 inches of precipitation per year. This is in stark contrast to the Cascade Crest, about 40 miles west, which receives an average of 100 inches per year. Spring in Ellensburg brings green hillsides, which are filled with native bunch grass and the colorful flowers of balsam root and lupine. Throughout summer, clear blue skies and dry conditions persist. In the fall, cottonwoods turn yellow and grasses on the hillsides take on a golden hue. When winter comes, Ellensburg receives variable snowfall and is usually covered in a blanket of snow through much of the season.

Recreation

There are plenty of opportunities for recreation in the region. Great places for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing are right outside of town. Just a little further away is the Wenatchee National Forest, which contains the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Mt. Rainier National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness are close enough for day trips or weekend getaways.

The Town

Ellensburg was originally laid out on a traditional grid pattern. There are street fronts made for walking and alleys designed to handle urban infrastructure and services. The town has several sites listed on the National Historic Register of Places: Downtown Ellensburg Historic District, the First Railroad District, and the Rodeo and Fairgrounds. The Downtown Historic District is the heart of Ellensburg with restaurants, retail, services, and art galleries. Downtown also serves as a focal point for an eclectic set of yearly community festivals centered on jazz, cowboy poetry, craft beer tasting, and dachshunds! The First Railroad Historic District contains unique residential architecture and the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo Grounds are the location of the annual Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo.

Resources

The Kittitas Valley is facing many of the same resource management issues that are affecting other regions in the intermountain West. Increasing rates of in-migration and rapidly changing land use are putting pressure on water and land resources, as well as the region's traditional culture.

Back to Geography Ellensburg and Kittitas Valley Kittitas County Map (Interactive) Yakima River Basin Map How to Find Us		Ellensburg and Kittitas Valley Physical Geography Central Washington University is within the city of Ellensburg, in the Kittitas Valley, situated between the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River. Ellensburg is surrounded by open space with wide views across irrigated agricultural land. From the valley, the granite summit of Mount Stuart (9,415 ft) can be seen rising above the Wenatchee Mountains. From east of town, glacier-clad Mount Rainier (14,410 ft) is visible above Manastash Ridge. The Yakima, Cle Elum, and Teanaway Rivers flow from glaciated terrain near the Cascade Crest, then merge and cross alluvial floodplains before exiting the valley through the Yakima Canyon to the south of Ellensburg. To the east of Ellensburg are the basalt cliffs of the Columbia River, gouged by the ice age Missoula floods. Climate Ellensburg is located in a semi-arid region, and receives an average of 9 inches of precipitation per year. This is in stark contrast to the Cascade Crest, about 40 miles west, which receives an average of 100 inches per year. Spring in Ellensburg brings green hillsides, which are filled with native bunch grass and the colorful flowers of balsam root and lupine. Throughout summer, clear blue skies and dry conditions persist. In the fall, cottonwoods turn yellow and grasses on the hillsides take on a golden hue. When winter comes, Ellensburg receives variable snowfall and is usually covered in a blanket of snow through much of the season. Recreation There are plenty of opportunities for recreation in the region. Great places for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing are right outside of town. Just a little further away is the Wenatchee National Forest, which contains the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Mt. Rainier National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness are close enough for day trips or weekend getaways. The Town Ellensburg was originally laid out on a traditional grid pattern. There are street fronts made for walking and alleys designed to handle urban infrastructure and services. The town has several sites listed on the National Historic Register of Places: Downtown Ellensburg Historic District, the First Railroad District, and the Rodeo and Fairgrounds. The Downtown Historic District is the heart of Ellensburg with restaurants, retail, services, and art galleries. Downtown also serves as a focal point for an eclectic set of yearly community festivals centered on jazz, cowboy poetry, craft beer tasting, and dachshunds! The First Railroad Historic District contains unique residential architecture and the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo Grounds are the location of the annual Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo. Resources The Kittitas Valley is facing many of the same resource management issues that are affecting other regions in the intermountain West. Increasing rates of in-migration and rapidly changing land use are putting pressure on water and land resources, as well as the region's traditional culture. Mt. Stuart across the Kittitas Valley Balsamroot Fly fishing on the Yakima River Columbia River from Colockum Wildlife Area
Contact Information Department of Geography 400 E. University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 963-1188 email: masonm@cwu.edu