Manastash Ridge

Image:Manastash.JPG with Cascade Range in the background.]]

Manastash Ridge is a long anticline mountain ridge located in central Washington state in the United States. Manastash Ridge runs mostly west-to-east in Kittitas and Yakima counties, for approximately 50 miles. The ridge is part of the Yakima Fold Belt of east-tending long ridges formed by the folding of Miocene Columbia River basalt flows.[http://gldims.cr.usgs.gov/webapps/cfusion/Sites/qfault/qf_web_disp.cfm?disp_cd=C&qfault_or=1327&ims_cf_cd=cf Complete Report for Saddle Mountains structures] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721071428/http://gldims.cr.usgs.gov/webapps/cfusion/Sites/qfault/qf_web_disp.cfm?disp_cd=C&qfault_or=1327&ims_cf_cd=cf |date=2011-07-21 }}, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

The name Manastash comes from the Sahaptin word /máːmaštaš/, possibly meaning "we are going root digging".{{cite book |last= Bright |first= William |title= Native American Placenames of the United States |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA264 |accessdate= 1 February 2023 |year= 2004 |publisher= University of Oklahoma Press |page= 264}}

The highest point in Manastash Ridge is Manastash Peak at {{convert|6335|ft|m}}, located {{convert|22.4|mi|km}} west of Ellensburg, Washington.[http://bivouac.com/MtnPg.asp?MtnId=20452 Manastash Peak], Bivouac.com Interstate 82 crosses through the eastern portion of the ridge; the Manastash Ridge Summit is located at milepost 7 of the interstate (south of Ellensburg) or about {{convert|24|mi|km}} north of Yakima, Washington at an elevation of {{convert|2672|ft|m}}.

In addition to Manastash Peak, Manastash Ridge includes the peaks of Quartz Mountain ({{convert|6289|ft|m}}), Mount Clifty ({{convert|6243|ft|m}}), and Lookout Mountain ({{convert|6188|ft|m}}). The astronomy department of the University of Washington maintains the Manastash Ridge Observatory, located about {{convert|9|mi|km}} west-southwest of Ellensburg.