Pasayten backcountry hunt.

[Firefighter44]

Thank you all for the info! I look forward to getting in there and scouting the country. Some cool pics, looks like some beautiful country!

[Skyvalhunter]

Don't let the high amount of hunters scare you lots of acreage there. Have a back up plan as if you like one area and it becomes crowded have another spot in mind.

[bernacrock]

Don't let the high amount of hunters scare you lots of acreage there. Have a back up plan as if you like one area and it becomes crowded have another spot in mind.

Learned my lesson on that one this past season.  I scouted out a nice looking spot all summer, never saw anyone there.  Come high hunt season I sneak up there and find 3 other people already there.   

[milldozer]

I did the high hunt for the first time last year. Did not hunt in Pasayten, but it looks really intriguing.  Can anyone comment on numbers of hunters in Pasayten vs other wilderness areas such as GP or AL?  What about deer numbers?  I was in GP last year, so that's my only reference point.

[Jingles]

I did the high hunt for the first time last year. Did not hunt in Pasayten, but it looks really intriguing.  Can anyone comment on numbers of hunters in Pasayten vs other wilderness areas such as GP or AL?  What about deer numbers?  I was in GP last year, so that's my only reference point.

A lot of it depends on what area you are talking about specifically and ease of access.  I could take you to an area that you could go in the entire high hunt and probably not see another person, not the easiest place to get to but then what do you want seclusion or lots of hunters. Then again there are areas that you'd need a reservation to take a squat behind a tree......

Harts Pass/ Slate Creek area avoid like the plague unless you like tripping over other hunters
Billy Goat Trail head and all the way to 3 fools pass quite a few hunters but all usually scattered out
Andrews Creek all the way back to and including Spanish Camp area Jam Packed Outfitter camp area
Tatoosh Buttes/Cougar lakes/ Hidden Lakes area Outfitter takes camps in via horseback.
Any of the trails up into the wilderness area off the Harts pass road are probably reservation required to park (sarcasm font used)

If you have a specific area in mind drop me a pm and I'll tell you what I know of the area and outfitter use

I am thinking this year I'll be going in for the entire High Hunt time period ( yes the full 10 days) and where I'm headed I doubt I'll be bothered by any other hunters, just gonna take a full day on horseback to get in.

[milldozer]

Thanks Jingles.  Don't have a specific area in mind now, but I'll keep it in mind.

[Shawn Ryan]

Maybe a silly question, but does anyone know why that area is not full of elk?  It seems to me that it should be.

[Boss .300 winmag]

My guess is they got shoot out early on and nobody over there really wants them back, due to the any elk tag for the few in the area east of there. 

[splitshot]

this thread has had some of the nicest pics of all.  thank you to all the contributers.      I keep looking at the pics and thinking I have been there or whatever the mind does in a situation like that.    thank you guys for the awesome pics.  if any one has any more to put in they will add to the nostalgia.  I would add some pics but don't know how.  it is one deal I want to learn how to do for 2015.   mike w

[scottcrb]

Me and a buddy hoping to do a 3 day hike in the pasayten over 4th of July weekend if the snow is gone. Never been there and don't know a ton about the,area yet but if anyone has pointers tips etc pm me or post would be greatly appreciated. I'll share any scouting I find as I won't be hunting the area this fall. Thanks. Sorry if I thread jacked.

[zwickeyman]

Regarding Elk in the PW. I hunted some areas last year that were great Elk habitat but the Game Dept doesn't want Elk there competing with the Muledeer. I agree with that as the Deer have enough trouble as it is.

You will find some of the best big buck country you have ever seen with no big bucks. Some one in an earlier  post said you need to get away from the horse trails. Very , very true. Every basin with a horse trail in it gets pounded all summer and fall with horses and hikers. You need to get as far away from any trail as possible.

[Jingles]

Maybe a silly question, but does anyone know why that area is not full of elk?  It seems to me that it should be.

According to 1st Party phone conversation with WDFW rep in Olympia "the elk compete with the mule deer for food"

However last time I checked Deer are browsers and Elk are grazers so there shouldn't be any real competition. then you get Fitkin saying that there are to many orchards in the Valley, so hence they have a pretty good season here for what elk are here  usually 14 days any elk to make sure any that might be here get hunted pretty hard.

[Jingles]

Someone asked for a couple more photos so thought I'd accommodate just excuse the flip phone photo quality

Yes I spend a LOT of time back there and this year will be spending even more time as I get lots of saddle time and horse training in prep for a 3 month 2200 mile cross country horse trip

Between the Paysayten and the Lake Chelan Sawtooth IMO they are some of the most beautiful areas a person could visit

[Watimberghost]

Great pics!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Scenery from some of my hikes in...

It's not all 'about the hunt'.  Hiking in the summer is different than the fall. Being there during a storm.. That's an experience. Remember that in any alpine area the weather can change at a moments notice.  Some say that the Pasayten creates it's own weather.  Believe it! Go prepared.

-Steve