Joining my grandson in Manashtash - advice?

[Rich_S]

My wife and I are going to join our son, his wife and our grandson to deer hunt GMU 340. We'll just be there a few days, the 19th. through the 21st.

I've never hunted the area. (Actually, I'll be just tending the non-existent campfire) I hope someone can answer a couple of questions for us. We will be sleeping in our motorhome. Is there an RV park somewhere nearby? We'll tow the little GMC for a hunting vehicle.



Also, any suggestions for the hunt itself? I used to hunt Windy Hill and Dry Coulee just West of Okanogan, but it's been many years since I've gotten out. Hate to get to far from a defibrillator these days. No hiking for this old dude.


Windy Hill - 1986

[krapmit]

Well 340 is a zoo in rifle season. Lot's of hunters, but that may be good for a guy at your age.  Find a spot up high where you can glass a few hundred yards and sit.  There's enough hunters where deer will be pushed around. 340 is a huge area.

[Rich_S]

Sounds like a good plan. I know my son has hunted elk over there (never got anything but fun, though). He may have spots to hunt in mind. I was just hoping to be able to park the motor house within a 20 minute drive and commute with the truck.

[Griz231]

Sounds like a good plan. I know my son has hunted elk over there (never got anything but fun, though). He may have spots to hunt in mind. I was just hoping to be able to park the motor house within a 20 minute drive and commute with the truck.

If you go up Taneum canyon there are areas to camp but I don't think there are hookups. Head down towards ellensburg and there is a KOA right off the highway about 10-15 from Taneum canyon

[Rich_S]

If you go up Taneum canyon there are areas to camp but I don't think there are hookups. Head down towards ellensburg and there is a KOA right off the highway about 10-15 from Taneum canyon

Got it! I just called my grandson and he says they are just planning on dry camping, since it will just be for 3 nights. Then I guess they have us heading over towards Prosser someplace to hunt whitetails.

Thanks.

[ellensburgpo]

Just be careful up there, it'll be a zoo. I've seen some decent bucks over the years in the gnat flats area.

[Rich_S]

Looks like we would take I-90 to the Thorp Prairie Rd. and exit. Then follow the Thorp Prairie Rd. along the NE side of I-90 to the E. Taneum Rd. Turn right, go across I-90 and it becomes the W. Taneum Rd. (also NF-33). Follow NF-33 to NF-3300. Take a left on NF-3300 and proceed to Gnat's Flat.

Sound about right?

[ellensburgpo]

More or less. I don't know the numbers.

[Rich_S]

We'll give it a shot (pun unintended). Are there wide spots along the W. Taneum Rd. to park a couple of motorhomes?

[ellensburgpo]

Yes, but I'd be hard pressed to believe they're empty right now.

[Rich_S]

If we can find a spot even close to I-90, we'd be happy. We're towing the peek up and my son's wife is driving a beater Explorer while he drives his Class C, so we will have wheels forthe FS roads.

You're right, we don't want to take the TV's up a long dirt road. We're meeting up at the rest stop at Indian John and we may just drive the Exploder around to look for a spot.

I'd be happy at the KOA and just get up 20 minutes earlier, then commute.

[Slenk]

 
Did a google search found these.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Camp+grounds+around+ellensburge+washington&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7ADRA_en#hl=en&pwst=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&rlz=1I7ADRA_en&spell=1&q=Campgrounds+around+ellensburg+washington&sa=X&ei=eCV6UIGlIOX1iQLX44HgCw&ved=0CB4QvwUoAA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=4b0300710f71e67&bpcl=35277026&biw=800&bih=466

[Rich_S]

Did a google search found these. . .

Yup - looks like the KOA is the closest. I was also considering Whispering Pines near Cle Elum. I don't know which is nearest to the Taneum Canyon Road. We'll find out, I'm sure.

Thanks to all of you for pointing us in the right direction. I think we'll have a nice trip, crowds notwithstanding. I don't know what the kids have got in mind for Whitetails around Prosser. I'll leave the studying of the pamphlet to them and I'll just get the frypan hot and the onions sliced. Ain't nothing better than fresh venison liver!

Hmmm ..... Prosser. Brings back memories. Back in the late 50's my dad had a Cessna 120. I was 16 and had just soloed it when I met a gal from Prosser. She lived on a small grape farm over there and I'd fly the Cessna over Stampede pass on a Saturday, help her folks ditch grapes, or tie them up. Then her dad would loan us his farm truck and I'd take her to her school dance. Then fly back home on Sunday.



Funny thing is, she's lived just a few miles from us on the wet side of the hills for the last twenty-five years. Never have seen her, though. I'd probably get in deep doo-doo if I did. Mama don't put up with anything like that!

[ellensburgpo]

Good luck, enjoy your trip.