Commute Time N. Yakima to Ellensburg

[jabm67]

In winter, the fog can last for a couple of weeks at a stretch if a basin-wide inversion sets up. That's not all that rare a situation.

I don't live in either place, but my folks live outside of Yakima (west of it) and I make that trip often (most recently, 10 days ago). I-82 between Ellensburg and Selah isn't really a "pass", but the road can be treacherous at times with three ridge summits along the way. Under optimum conditions, it's about a 20-30 minute drive, from ramp to ramp (add your times from house to ramp and ramp to office to that). Under ice & fog conditions (that is, about as bad as it can get) it will be more like an hour or hour and a quarter. The canyon road is an option, but I've never driven it in winter; it is just about entirely two lanes and winds around, following the river.

IMO, this is a viable commute and lifestyle option. But I live in Seattle, and my nine-mile one-way commute takes 30-40 minutes.

[rambrush]

and by basin wide it usually fogs in from the tri-cities up through Prosser into Yakima. It can be as thick as pea soup.
Good quality fog lights installed correctly can make life bearable.
The canyon road used to be our only way back and forth. its not a fast road. twists and turns through the canyon. very scenic though.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by rambrush

The canyon road used to be our only way back and forth. its not a fast road. twists and turns through the canyon. very scenic though.

Good grief! ...long time ago. I remember the hoopla when I-82 was opened between Ellensburg and Yakima ...and all of a sudden the canyon road became so laid back traffic wise.

--'rocco

[rambrush]

Ok do u remember the crossing at Vernita, had to wait and get on the ferry to cross the river?
We either had to up through Mattawa or through Yakima. Yakima was better cause we could do a miner burger.
I c u in southern Nevada, I in NW Az now.

[scirocco22]

Oh man, rambrush! *whew*

Wasn't the Vernita Bridge built in the mid-60s?

--'rocco

[rambrush]

i think thats when it was, I was born and raised tri-cities from the mid 50's till early 1980's when I left for Az. Still lots family and friends up there.

[ChadPettingill]

I'm going to start commuting from Ellensburg to Yakima five days a week for student teaching. I figured out the Canyon and the Interstate are the same distance from the Burg to Selah so I'll probably take the interstate since it won't take as long. But one thing is for sure, those hills with all the truck traffic at 70mph can be treacherous! Wish me luck!

[missyM]

Good luck, and I hope you got a good assignment.