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Random Mountain Town of the Week
Welcome back to Random Mountain Towns!
This week’s Random Mountain Town is….
Cle Elum, Washington!
Fast Facts about Cle Elum:
Population: 2,211 (2023)
Nickname: “The Gateway to the Cascades"
Elevation: 1,909 feet
Year Founded: 1902
Distance to Closest Larger City: Just 83 miles from Seattle (1 hour, 20 minute drive) or 60 miles from Yakima (1 hour drive).
Homes for Sale in Cle Elum:
Zillow: According to Zillow's data from April 2025:
The average home value in Cle Elum, WA is approximately $628,758.
However, another Zillow report from the same period states the median sold price in Cle Elum was $810,000, which is down 11.5% from the previous year.
Click on each to see the full listing!
Famous People from Cle Elum:
Dick Scobee
Francis "Dick" Scobee was the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger on its fatal STS-51-L mission.
There are memorials and streets named after him in Cle Elum.
Douglas Albert Munro
A U.S. Coast Guardsman and the only member of that service to receive the Medal of Honor.
He was posthumously awarded for his heroic actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II.
Closest Ski Resort:
There are a few smaller ski areas within an hour of Cle Elum but 2 hours away is Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.
Washington’s largest ski resort
85 runs
2,600 acres of skiable terrain
Events in Cle Elum:
Pioneer Days Grand Parade:
A traditional Independence Day celebration in Cle Elum.
Cle Elum Roundup:
A rodeo event held at the Washington State Horse Park.
Hiking Near Cle Elum:
Pete Lake Trail: (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/pete-lake) This is generally considered an easy to moderate 11-mile out-and-back trail. It's popular for hiking, camping, nature trips, and horseback riding, and is best used from May until November.
Here are some other popular trails in the Cle Elum area:
Cooper River Trail: (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/cooper-river) A moderate 6.8-mile out-and-back trail following the Cooper River to Cooper Lake. It's relatively flat with beautiful old-growth forests and wildflowers. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Coal Mines Trail: (https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/coal-mines-trail-cle-elum) This is a mellow, mostly flat 4.7-mile (one way) trail built on an old railroad spur, going from Cle Elum through Roslyn to Ronald. It offers views of coal mining remains and is great for walking, running, and biking. Manastash
Ridge Trail: (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/manastash-ridge) A moderate 4-mile roundtrip trail that climbs steadily to the top of Manastash Ridge, offering views of the Kittitas Valley and Stuart Mountain Range. It's known for its wildflowers and wildlife.
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