Mount St. Helens National Monument

[Bluesdude]

hey sirmissalot, you getting that 5x5 bull mounted? it sure was a nice looking rack

[fireweed]

Here's the ironic part about my Whittier tag.  I'd been pushing the Monument and WDFW to open up more land to hunting, and I pointed out this rugged sliver  in the Loowit that was between the USFS "closure" and the Margaret Unit--no reason it shouldn't be opened up, along with that side hill above Coldwater and the DNR land above the No. Toutle.   Miracle of miracles they actually listed (some)...and I drew the tag.  Now I'll be paying for it.  I plan to keep pressure on the USFS, and will give them a blow-by-blow on ways to improve the hunt. 

[Bluesdude]

The other conflict between the USFS and the WDFW regarding this area is that the USFS (as signed at the trailheads) allows bicycles on the Coldwater Trail, both south and north trails to the junction of the lakes trail.  However in the Regs for the Whittier tag the WDFW says no bicycles allowed. 

[fireweed]

If they do allow bicycles on the Lakes trail 211 it is a brand new opening of that trail, just within the last few months.  Previous only South Coldwater trail 230 (by the equipment) is open.  I did get something w/my tag that said their was no bike access, which is wrong since 230 had been open, as well as the boundary.  The bicycle clubs pushed for this opening several years ago so they could ride from Mt. Adams to Mt. St. Helens on the boundary trail.  I know the USFS is getting lots of pressure to open more access and recreation, so it wouldn't surprise me to see trail 211 open.  I sure wouldn't bike on that with those drop offs into the drink. 

[Chesapeake]

Got my packet from WDFW yesterday. They have the hillside above Coldwater in the Margaret mapped out as "No discharging firearms", "No off trail travel". The hillside from Mini Peak back to the Visitor Center.

Bluesdude,
I'm with you on the shake down cruise part. I sat atop the 230 trail for a good while glassing Whittier. Its been on my draw list since they offered it. Had it as a choice this year but had Margaret as #1 for some odd reason and drew it. I wont complain. Maybe next year.
Been up in there several times myself this year, some from Norway, and some from Coldwater.

I wish I had a packing crew. My pack crew for my Margaret tag includes me, myself, and I. I really need cool enough weather I can hang quarters overnight. 

[Bluesdude]

Got my packet from WDFW yesterday. They have the hillside above Coldwater in the Margaret mapped out as "No discharging firearms", "No off trail travel". The hillside from Mini Peak back to the Visitor Center.

Bluesdude,
I'm with you on the shake down cruise part. I sat atop the 230 trail for a good while glassing Whittier. Its been on my draw list since they offered it. Had it as a choice this year but had Margaret as #1 for some odd reason and drew it. I wont complain. Maybe next year.
Been up in there several times myself this year, some from Norway, and some from Coldwater.

I wish I had a packing crew. My pack crew for my Margaret tag includes me, myself, and I. I really need cool enough weather I can hang quarters overnight.

I laugh every time I see one of those "no off trail travel signs" up there.  No one told the elk that! haha they are doing more damage than a few hunters might do walking around north of the Coldwater Trail.  Those silly ash filled tent pads that they want you to use are a joke too. 

[Bluesdude]

Speaking of Stupid signs, this one is at the Norway Pass Trailhead - I didn't know animals can read!!!!

[Chesapeake]

Hey, I reserved me one of them there boxes of ash to camp on for darn neer a week. It was free of charge. Guess you get what you pay for.

About that hillside...on one of my scouting trips I sat up neer the yarder and watched a couple groups of brighly colored work crews dinking around in the big patches of scotchbroom on that hill side. They bumped the elk I was watching right into the brush.

[Seabeckian]

Bluesdude.... Haha, I was thinking the same thing when I read that. 

[chad s.]

Here's the ironic part about my Whittier tag.  I'd been pushing the Monument and WDFW to open up more land to hunting, and I pointed out this rugged sliver  in the Loowit that was between the USFS "closure" and the Margaret Unit--no reason it shouldn't be opened up, along with that side hill above Coldwater and the DNR land above the No. Toutle.   Miracle of miracles they actually listed (some)...and I drew the tag.  Now I'll be paying for it.  I plan to keep pressure on the USFS, and will give them a blow-by-blow on ways to improve the hunt.

I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

[Chesapeake]

I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

So you are saying there wasnt any elk in the Whittier unit during your hunt?? What was it you didnt like about the hunt?

[Bluesdude]

I am going to keep my mouth shut about the number of elk in that unit......
 

Yes it is steep and deep, especially in the east and south sections, but the challange makes it worth it for us

[bradslam]

The 211 Trail on the north side of Coldwater Lake was opened last month to mountain biking. There is an article on the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument web page about it.

[Huntbear]

I am going to keep my mouth shut about the number of elk in that unit......
 

Yes it is steep and deep, especially in the east and south sections, but the challange makes it worth it for us

 

[chad s.]

I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

So you are saying there wasnt any elk in the Whittier unit during your hunt?? What was it you didnt like about the hunt?

I had a cow tag for muzzleloader. We hiked in miles from Coldwater, and there were tons of elk in the little off limits area at the end of the lake. Yes, of course there is elk in the unit if you want to hike 7 miles in, and take a week to pack out an elk. To me it wouldn't have been worth it. If you like a challange, than this is definantly a hunt for you! I think the boundaries are poorly managed as forementioned, access is terrible, and there are too many rules. Furtheremore, we caught a guy up there who was camping illegally down by the lake which rubbed me wrong! It's also very dense, and steep past the lake. Yes I knew most of this heading into the hunt, but I still think it's a joke...