 The 17,803-acre Quilomene unit and 28,549-acre Whiskey Dick unit, located about 15 miles northeast of Ellensburg, are now connected by WDFW’s recent acquisition of 5,441 acres of the Skookumchuck drainage. The contiguous total of 51,793 acres (of which WDFW owns 11,523 on Quilomene and 17,027 on Whiskey Dick, with the balance in DNR acres) is managed together. The first purchase was made in 1962 with state Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation funds to expand winter range for deer and elk herds and to perpetuate and improve upland game bird habitat.
The units range in elevation from 550 feet above sea level at the Columbia River on the east, to 3,200 feet in the northwest corner (a distance of some 10 miles).
The northernmost Quilomene unit is bordered on the north by the Colockum Wildlife Area. The Quilomene Creek basin lies in the dry, shrub-steppe habitat along the Columbia River northeast of Ellensburg. The similar Whiskey Dick Creek basin lies south of the Quilomene. Flows remain fairly constant due to the springs scattered throughout the drainage. Quilomene Creek, Whiskey Dick Creek, and some of their tributaries provide habitat for resident trout. Steelhead have been documented in Quilomene Creek.
Vegetation is mostly shrub steppe, mostly sagebrush and bitterbrush mixed with bunchgrasses. Streams and springs provide narrow bands of riparian habitat. Wildlife use is diverse, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, turkey, quail, and a myriad of small mammals, neo-tropical/upland birds, raptors, and reptiles. There are numerous streams with resident trout. Some streams historically had anadromous stocks that are currently federally listed. WDFW and other state and federal agencies are actively pursuing the removal of barriers from these streams to re-establish anadromous fish use. Hunting, fishing, camping and wildlife watching are all popular.
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Birds
Birds of Prey Eagles Shorebirds Songbirds Upland Birds Wading Birds Waterfowl
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Mammals
Bear Bighorn sheep Deer Elk Small Mammals
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Other
Butterflies Reptiles/Amphibians Spawning Salmon Wildflowers
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Click Here
for Printable
Map and Driving Directions |
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| Access Site #1 |
Driving Directions
Whiskey Dick Road: Take Vantage Hwy east from Ellensburg or west from Vantage to ~milepost 18. Look for the old wooden corrals on the north side of the road and the big yellow readerboard. |
Parking/Restroom Information
Parking area at the junction of the Whiskey Dick road and Vantage Hwy. No restrooms. |
Other Information
No campfires allowed from April 15 to October 15. A motorized closure is in effect from February 1 through April 30 to protect wintering elk. The closure extends from the Vantage Hwy north up to the Quilomene Ridge Road (Ridge road is open to motorized vehicles), west to the Wild Horse Wind Project and east to the Columbia River. |
| Access Site #2 |
Driving Directions
Pumphouse Road: Take Vantage Hwy east from Ellensburg or west from Vantage to ~milepost 20. Look for the big yellow readerboard and the cattleguard at the beginning of the road. |
Parking/Restroom Information
Small parking area at junction of Pumphouse road and Vantage Hwy. No restrooms. |
Other Information
No campfires allowed from April 15 to October 15. A motorized closure is in effect from February 1 through April 30 to protect wintering elk. The closure extends from the Vantage Hwy north up to the Quilomene Ridge Road (Ridge road is open to motorized vehicles), west to the Wild Horse Wind Project and east to the Columbia River. |
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| Audobon Important Bird Area. |
| The Wildlife Area is within a Green Dot Road Management area. Maps and regulations are available at the Regional Office, District Office and DNR's SE Regional Office. In addition, yellow readerboards with maps are placed at entry points. Motorized vehicles must stay on designated green dot roads. |
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OTHER INFORMATION
