Scouting The Whiskey Dick Road Management Area - 05.16.2008

[ejgdmk]

thanks for the info guys, was just thinking where I could go exploring during the winter months.

[Jerry]

thanks for the info guys, was just thinking where I could go exploring during the winter months.

If you don't mind driving to Ellensburg, you might want to go to the south end of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, aka Wenas Road Management Area (RMA). Follow the Umtanum Road west and south out of Ellensburg and turn south on the Durr Road. It will take you as far south as the outskirts of Selah in fairly remote shrub-steppe country. It is a green dot area, so it is important to stay on designated roads, but they can be a real challenge in the snow.

There are other entrances to the L.T. as well as the Oak Creek Wild Life Area if you continue on the Umtanum Road. Eventually the Umtanum Road connects with the Wenas Road where you will find more entrances. Give the DNR a call to request free maps of all the RMA's near Ellensburg, i.e. the Whiskey Dick, Quilomene, Colockum, L.T. Murray, Oak Creek and the Naneum State Forest. And if you are interested in exploring further away ask for maps of the Ahtanum ORV Area, Moses Lake Sand Dunes and Juniper Dunes.

[Dumpolina]

Jerry- would the Durr Road and areas be impassible now? Looking at elevation it seems OK, but I have no idea what level of snow (and mud) it could have right now. SE regional office says its "Open" but unknown condition.

If you don't mind driving to Ellensburg, you might want to go to the south end of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, aka Wenas Road Management Area (RMA). Follow the Umtanum Road west and south out of Ellensburg and turn south on the Durr Road. It will take you as far south as the outskirts of Selah in fairly remote shrub-steppe country. It is a green dot area, so it is important to stay on designated roads, but they can be a real challenge in the snow.

There are other entrances to the L.T. as well as the Oak Creek Wild Life Area if you continue on the Umtanum Road. Eventually the Umtanum Road connects with the Wenas Road where you will find more entrances. Give the DNR a call to request free maps of all the RMA's near Ellensburg, i.e. the Whiskey Dick, Quilomene, Colockum, L.T. Murray, Oak Creek and the Naneum State Forest. And if you are interested in exploring further away ask for maps of the Ahtanum ORV Area, Moses Lake Sand Dunes and Juniper Dunes.

[Jerry]

Jerry- would the Durr Road and areas be impassible now? Looking at elevation it seems OK, but I have no idea what level of snow (and mud) it could have right now. SE regional office says its "Open" but unknown condition.

I haven't been out there this season, but I would guess most of the snow has melted leaving ice, mud and mushy puddles. Daytime temps are in the mid 40's in Yakima this week with freezing at night, a little cooler there. Be prepared for gumbo mud and deep tire tracks left by 40"+ tires. As I'm sure you know (others may not) the Wenas RMA of the L.T. Murray is a green dot area and despite where tire tracks lead all legal access is limited to roads marked with green dots. Free Green Dot maps are available from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. Check out the Ellensburg Office online.

[OlympiaFJ60]

Just saw this, Washington Judge Rules Against Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Regarding Cattle Grazing on the Whiskey Dick-Quilomene Wildlife Area | Western Watersheds Project about the Whiskey Dick area.