Cle Elum

Cle Elum is a city in the North Cascades region of Washington State.

Get in
90 miles east of Seattle on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass. 30 miles west of Ellensburg. On a good day, the trip from Seattle can be made in about an hour and a half, but in the winter time you will want to check with the Washington State Department of Transportation as the pass is notorious for closing at the most inconvenient times. Other than that the only way in to town is on Highway 97 from Wenatchee.

Get around
You really need a car. A small town of less than 1800, there is no public transportation and in the east end of town not even any sidewalks. A bike can work, but getting out of town there are lots of hills and the weather can change really quickly. You will need AC in the summer. In the winter, there is usually snow on the ground and probably ice as well. Having snow tires is the best, but chains are always a good thing to have in the mountains, and a lot of the time you need them to cross Snoqualmie Pass.

Eat

 * By far one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington. Also a wonderful steakhouse (prime rib to die for).  The bagna cauda is one of the most amazing dishes.  But be careful, as there is lots of olive oil and butter in the dish and so much garlic you will still smell it 2 days later.


 * 24 hour truck stop. Good food, large portions, a little expensive for basic americana, but great at midnight after a night out.  Excellent homemade pies.
 * How did this restaurant wind up in Cle Elum? Amazing pasta, steak everything.  They used to have wonderful brunch, but at time of article, could not get in touch with restaurant.

Go next

 * Iron Horse State Park, stretching from Rattlesnake Lake to the Yakima River Valley. Cle Elum is one access point.
 * Lake Easton State Park, 15 miles west of Cle Elum
 * Summit at Snoqualmie - ski resort at Snoqualmie Pass