Manastash Ridge

We intersected Manastash mid way through from Upper Kaner Ridge Trail. Transferring from Kaner onto Manastash we must have gone a harder way into a large boulder field. Felt more Rubicon-esk. We hit it straight on without issue but we have a good lift, big tires and full underbelly protection. As has been stated in another report you pass "Shoestring" then hit another split called "String" Trail. There is a sign saying the trail doesn't exit but if you continue on you clearly follow Manastash for another Mile or more. Eventually the trail creeps off the marked route and you cliff out. Take Shoestring or String Trail if you are planning to make it East to Moon Rocks. We would give Manastash a 2/3 rating and Shoestring, String and Tipover a 3/4 rating.

From where the Kaner Flat trail intersects from the west, the Manastash Ridge trail southbound requires some route finding to avoid a really difficult boulder-laden ascent up Manastash Ridge. Avoid your first left and first right, and generally take a middle route up into the open basalt field above. Beyond this the route is singular and clear. After passing the Shoestring trail that heads east and a short climb, the top of the ridge appears and rewards with a broad open expanse and campsite with a full view of Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. At 6200 feet elevation, this camp is suitable during good weather. It's worth reaching on a clear evening for a rewarding sunset. At night one can see the lights of Cle Elum to the north. Continuing southeast, you will reach the String trail 4W309 heading north. This is your last opportunity to descend from the ridge without backtracking, as the Manastash Ridge trail peters out a few miles beyond at the top of the ridge. A sign posted here at the intersection says as much.

This is by no means a level Green trail. There were rock climbs that I see on black trails. Wet conditions make the trail considerably harder.

If you drive this road from funny rocks / Five fingers it will lead you to a dead end and only continues on single track to the other side of the canyon. Green trail for jeeps is not correct

Lots of rocks and slow crawling. I'd rate this trail a 6/10. Ran it in a rzr pro xp on 33's

Giant bolder bed I would not rate this trail a 3 more like a 5, road was closed and we had to take a different route to shoestring.

We traveled the trail north from Kaner Flat trail to Wells Meadow trail. Extremely dry and dusty conditions. Several locations exist suitable for camping. Due to tight clearances travel with anything wider than a Wrangler is not advised. Also due to tight turns with obstacles travel with a 4 door Wrangler may be a challenging. We saw a nice 4 point buck deer at one point.

The east end of this trail ends at a cliff where you will need to turn back. It does NOT connect to FS 4W694 as it appears on the map. I had to back track and take Shoestring Trail to eventually get onto Milk Creek Road and off the mountain.

Babyhead-sized rocks with loose and steep ascents/descents. We didn’t attempt to get past the Mini Rubicon area. It was very steep there with very large rocks. Looked like a hard enduro course. Challenging route on a 500 exc-f

Came across Shoestring to Tripod Flats. We attempted to take Manastash Ridge from Tripod Flats back to Mini Rubicon. The trail ends about 1/2 from the intersection with Tripod Flats Rd. It is cliffed out and doesn't appear to have ever had a 4x4 trail. There is a single track but the map currently shows it for everything. Not sure how far you can come down Manastash from the other side. we only did the Mini Rubicon between Upper Kaner and Shoestring.

This trail has severe blowdown and is no longer accessible. You can not reach the Manastash Ridge via 4W330 Tipover