Scouting The Whiskey Dick - May 16, 2008 [Friday]

[Jerry]

Tour Announcement

SCOUTING WHISKEY DICK
May 16, 2008 [Friday]

Everyday is a good day to go backroading, right? Well, this tour happens to be on a Friday and it's a perfect day for folks who can find the time.

We're going to explore the Whiskey Dick Road Management Area just east of Ellensburg, Washington. The Whiskey Dick is located in the southeastern foothills of the Colockum Range to the west of the Columbia River and north of the Old Vantage Highway. The landscape is typical of the Columbia River breaks region, with steep, rocky slopes and narrow creek bottoms.

The area offers expansive ridge views of creek valleys and the Columbia River as well as excellent springtime wildflower displays. Vegetation is primarily sagebrush and bitterbrush mixed with various bunchgrasses and wildflowers of which we hope to find lupines, sage violet, balsamroot, sunburst and my favorite, blooming hedgehog cactus. The Whiskey Dick maintains a large elk herd and also supports mule deer, birds of prey, songbirds, and a variety of mammals.

Four-wheel drive will be necessary for this tour. SUV's and pickups should work just fine. The Whiskey Dick is served by a network of primitive roads and our goal is to drive specific ones that we missed on previous visits. Most roads are unimproved, two-track dirt surfaces with ruts and holes while others are of heavy pit run and may include large patches of bedrock. If it has recently rained we will encounter mud.

Bring bottled water, snacks and a lunch. You might bring some extra clothing, too, because Whiskey Dick Mountain has the distinction of being the windiest place in Washington. You will be glad you have something to cover your ears! We also suggest binoculars and cameras. There are no facilities so plan ahead.

We are meeting at the Bar 14 Ranch House Restaurant (509-962-6222), 1800 Canyon Rd in Ellensburg. From Interstate 90 take Exit 109 and the restaurant will be on the north side of the freeway. Come early for breakfast or coffee and plan to leave at 9:00 A.M.

Look for my Orange and white modified Jeep Cherokee with Backroad Drivers Northwest window stickers; you can't miss it.

Jerry

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BACKROAD DRIVERS NORTHWEST

[Albino94ltd]

OK, I may jinx myself but I really want this one.

I'm planning on dragging the 34yr old tent trailer to the Yakima RV park Thursday evening with my 8yr old.

We'll run with you Friday then Saturday we'll toss some flies in the river and see if we can entice some Rainbows into a meet&greet.

[hutchman]

I had wanted to go on this one as I have been up in that area and there is some great scenery, wheeling, and back road running, but......family issues have surfaced, my grandson's birthday party....and I am not going to miss that.

Maybe next time I'll get to meet some of you!

[Paul]

Okay, no "next day business responsibilities" and I'd like the think that the passes will not be an issue, so we plan on attending this Friday event.

That is beautiful country - - and we can't wait to see it up close!

See you then,

Paul
'91 Explorer Sport

[OlympiaFJ60]

This will be perfect. I have been wanting to scout the area for a summer camping trip with my 7 year old son. We will even be over that way as my wife works in Yakima that day. We have to drop here off at 8:50 and will try and catch up with you around Kititas. Is the WDFW Access permit required for this area like the Colockum?

I have been going over the roads and area with google earth alot lately and picked up the State Lands map for that area.

Putting it on the calendar right now.

[Jerry]

Is the WDFW Access permit required for this area like the Colockum?

Excellent question!!!

We SHOULD NOT NEED WDFW Vehicle Use Permits. Permits are necessary for camping, hiking, fishing and other activities that require parking, and probably a good idea if you plan extended travel on state lands, and certainly a good idea to help fund the maintenance of state lands.

I think I will buy one just on general principles, but it is not necessary.




REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Vehicle Use Permit
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/vup/index.htm

The 1998 Washington State Legislature established a parking permit requirement on certain Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. Implementation of this legislation created a use permit decal that was formerly known as the Access Stewardship decal. Vehicle Use Permits are required at about 200 access sites managed by the WDFW. [Note: Including the Whiskey Dick, Colockum, Quilomene, L.T. Murray, Wenas and Oak Creek Wildlife and Road Management Areas]

What will the money be spent on? As use has increased, so has the routine maintenance burden. Access sites are also targets for illegal dumping and vandalism. The law specifies that Vehicle Use Permit revenue be spent on these problems.

[OlympiaFJ60]

Looks like that is what I got with my fishing license.

Since I will by trying to catch up with you guys (unless I can drop my wife off a little early). Where are you going to leave the black top?

[Jerry]

Since I will by trying to catch up with you guys (unless I can drop my wife off a little early). Where are you going to leave the black top?

First, at what time could you be to the restaurant and how long do you estimate would we have to wait for you? Second, if plans go according to Hoyle we will head east on the Old Vantage Highway and turn into the Whiskey Dick at The Corrals. As you drive east on the OVH, look for the Fox Road and the Corrals Road is aprox 8.5 miles more on the left. We will drive north on the Whiskey Dick Corral Road and follow it for another mile after it turns east. Then turn left on the Whiskey Dick Creek Road (the first main left after entering). There are NO SIGNS, but we will be on CB channel 22. All plans are dependent upon weather and road conditions.
Jerry

[OlympiaFJ60]

First, at what time could you be to the restaurant and how long do you estimate would we have to wait for you? Second, if plans go according to Hoyle we will head east on the Old Vantage Highway and turn into the Whiskey Dick at The Corrals. As you drive east on the OVH, look for the Fox Road and the Corrals Road is aprox 8.5 miles more on the left. We will drive north on the Whiskey Dick Corral Road and follow it for another mile after it turns east. Then turn left on the Whiskey Dick Creek Road (the first main left after entering). There are NO SIGNS, but we will be on CB channel 22. All plans are dependent upon weather and road conditions.
Jerry

I will leave Nob Hill in Yakima around 8:50 so, to Kititas around 9:30 I think. I could meet you along the OVH. Is the Corrals Road near the new PSE wind farm entrance? It should work out just fine. I should be able to hit you on the CB coming down from Menastash and see where you are at.

[Jerry]

The Corrals Road is about a mile-and-a-half past the PSE Wind Farm Road. It is an inconspicuous turnoff, but a road just the same. As I recall you can see some of the dilapidated wooden corral from the road just prior to the turn. We will be listening for you on the CB.
Jerry