This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
Notice for winter recreators: Snow grooming of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Road 41 on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area will be limited this year due to damage to the bridge at Cole Creek. The bridge is closed as it is not safe for crossing by vehicle at this time. Snow will only be groomed from the Easton reload area (the parking/unloading area for trucks with trailers) to the east side of the bridge. Grooming on the west side of the bridge ends at Stampede Pass. This grooming plan is for public safety and resource protection. Winter recreation on the ungroomed trails is permitted, but at the discretion and risk of the user. Snow NW has an interactive map showing the affected area. Please don’t drive all the way to the closed bridge as there is little space to park or turn around.
Cabin Creek
The Yakima River Unit has multiple properties along the Yakima River. The largest property is south of the river in the eastern foothills of the Central Cascades, and includes Cabin Creek and Cole Creek; conifer forest is found in the uplands. These lands are primarily managed for federal and state-listed species and other species of concern. Recreational opportunities on the unit include hunting, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching.
All unit properties are located off U.S. Interstate 90 in Kittitas County. U.S. Forest Service Road 41 accesses the Cabin Creek property.
From valley bottom to ridgetop, this unit is made up of multiple properties along the Yakima River. The largest property is south of the river in the eastern foothills of the Central Cascades, and includes Cabin Creek and Cole Creek.
This unit is part of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 336, 335
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- No developed parking
- No restrooms
Hunting
Game species likely to occur on the unit are black bear, cougar, deer, elk, small game, band-tailed pigeon, Eurasian collared dove, ducks, geese, turkey, forest grouse, and quail.
Wildlife viewing
A variety of wildlife viewing opportunities occur on this unit, including the potential to see black bear, cougar, deer, elk, band-tailed pigeon, Eurasian collared dove, ducks, geese, turkey, forest grouse, and quail.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Other recreational opportunities
Dispersed camping is allowed on the unit.
A groomed snowmobile route runs through the Cabin Creek property.
Conservation
The Yakima River Unit is primarily managed for federal and state-listed species and other species of concern. The properties of this unit join other lands acquired to create the I-90 Wildlife Corridor. Acquisition of these corridor lands has helped to prevent imminent development, protect habitat for listed species, and in concert with new wildlife crossing structures on I-90, contribute to ensuring habitat connectivity between the north and south Cascade Mountains.
Special habitats and species
Cole Creek, a tributary to the Yakima River, is a location where the tailed-frog is known to occur. The Cole Creek area includes a small wetland and has riparian habitat of mixed conifer-deciduous trees and shrubs. Conifer forest is found in the uplands, which provides dispersal habitat for the northern spotted owl.
Conservation goals
- Improve and maintain fish population
- Maintain or improve conditions for priority species and habitats
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Protect critical elk winter range and upland game bird habitat
- Preserve habitat and species diversity of fish and wildlife resources
Cole Creek, a tributary to the Yakima River, is a location where the tailed-frog is known to occur. The Cole Creek area includes a small wetland and has riparian habitat of mixed conifer-deciduous trees and shrubs. Conifer forest is found in the uplands, which provides dispersal habitat for the northern spotted owl.
- Improve and maintain fish population
- Maintain or improve conditions for priority species and habitats
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Protect critical elk winter range and upland game bird habitat
- Preserve habitat and species diversity of fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1968 and 2013.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| Private Grantor | Transfer of land |
| State of Washington | Transfer of land |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
The planning process for the new management plan for the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area has begun. In lieu of hosting a public workshop, we have prepared some materials for you to learn more about the wildlife area, the planning process, and how to provide your input to us.
Description of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area (video): An overview of the wildlife area and the key habitats, species, and recreation opportunities.
Management Planning Process (video): An overview of the wildlife area management planning process.
PDF: Brief description of the planning process and wildlife area units.
2023 L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Management Plan
Planning Advisory Committee
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Advisory Committee