Yakima Valley Trekkers

Join us for a scenic adventure to Jumpoff Joe Fire Tower Lookout!
*Please note: This hike is weather dependent as the trailhead is located at the end of a forest service road, which is not plowed. Please read the description carefully to ensure this adventure aligns with your comfort and fitness level before signing up.*

Starting with a steep 800-foot climb in less than a mile, this hike is perfect for those who enjoy a rewarding challenge. If you’re comfortable with elevation gains similar to Goat Peak or the trail from Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap, you’ll find this a rewarding experience.

Trail Overview:
Our journey begins with an invigorating climb up to the Divide Ridge, gaining 800 feet in the initial mile. From there, the trail gently rises along a multi-use path and 4x4 road up to the historic Jumpoff Joe Fire Lookout—the last remaining lookout in Yakima County.

• Distance: Approx. 3.6 miles roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,350 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

### Trail Highlights:

• Initial Scramble: Beginning at the end of a forest service road, we’ll tackle the 800-foot climb through dense forest up to Divide Ridge. This portion is steep but manageable, with shaded views.
• Divide Ridge Trail: As the trail opens up, enjoy the transition to beautiful Ponderosa forest and meadows with sweeping views across the valley. On clear days, Mount Rainier stands out against the skyline, while Rimrock Lake shimmers below. Look closely to spot unique rock formations along the cliffs.
• Jumpoff Joe Fire Lookout: Maintained by volunteers, this historic landmark offers insight into firefighting history on our public lands. Sitting above the cloud line on inversion days, the lookout provides a sunny, dreamlike view of the surroundings.

### The Lookout Experience

The top offers breathtaking 360-degree views, showcasing Mount Rainier, Rimrock Lake, and the peaks of the Goat Rocks Wilderness. You’ll also spot landmarks like Kloochman Rock and the iconic Goose-Egg. The lookout’s elevation often means it rests above cloud cover during inversions, offering an unforgettable, sunlit vista over a sea of clouds.

Preparation Tips: This hike covers diverse terrain, with an initial steep section followed by gentler climbs along forest paths and 4x4 tracks. Dress in layers, bring water, and prepare for varied trail conditions.

Come ready for a scenic, rewarding journey to Yakima County’s last-standing fire lookout!

Explore the Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington
*Located 40 miles east of Ellensburg, on the same exit as the Gorge Amphitheatre*
While Vantage draws rock climbers with its challenging cliffs, nearby Frenchman Coulee and Echo Basin offers a gentler alternative for hikers seeking stunning scenery without the need for ropes and harnesses.

Echo Basin Rim Trail
This trail packs a scenic punch, offering breathtaking views of the iconic columnar basalt formations and seasonal waterfalls. The path is perfect for a leisurely stroll, taking in the beauty of the coulee without breaking a sweat.

Trail details:

• Distance: Approximately 4.1 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: Approximately 571 ft of elevation gain
• Difficulty: Easy

Nearly all the elevation gain is at the beginning of the hike as we climb on top of the famous Sunshine Wall, we'll stop at the unique entrance both climbers and hikers have to take in order to reach the base of the basalt cliffs, before we continue on alongside the Echo Basin Rim. Keep an eye out for Petrified Wood along the trail, before we reach the giant sand dune that we'll be hiking down(alternative path is available), after the dune, its just a short hike out to the cars.

One of the most unique landscapes in our State:
During the last ice age 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, part of a glacier blocked the Clark Fork River in northern Idaho that normally flowed into Washington near what is now Spokane. This created an ice dam that caused the river to form a lake in western Montana. This lake eventually grew to cover 3,000 square miles, containing as much water as Lake Erie and Lake Ontario combined. Then the ice dam collapsed. The water from the lake was released and created one of the largest mega floods in the history of the world. Frenchman Coulee and Echo Basin formed as a result from these repeated mega floods.