Suiattle trail questions

[BB11b]

Hey y’all, I’m looking to go for a backcountry style mule/black tail/whitetail deer hunt. Looking at headed up the Suiattle trail heading towards the Entiats. Looking for any tips or advice on hunts and weather. Just trying to be prepared. Thanks a lot I appreciate it.


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[grade-creek-rd]

Well...almost 80 views and no replies should tell ya something...guess I'll be the nice one to say something first...if your asking about weather/trail conditions etc regarding the Suiattle to Entiat (Spider Meadows) route that tells me that maybe you haven't done a ton of "internet" research yet, so I suggest Googling the "Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) section K" that will give you some idea of the remoteness and planning needed for the hunt you thinking of.

Grade

[jackelope]

Most folks won't speak openly about the locations and the information they've learned...in my opinion, what you're asking for is way too specific to get open answers posted on the web. Don't take it personally...first rule of the high hunt is to not speak about the high hunt.
 

[7mmfan]

I can't speak to that section of trail, but I can speak to weather conditions between September 15-25. You can sunny and 70, and you can have whiteout blizzard. This last year on the 2nd weekend of the high hunt it rained a foot, almost literally, in the area that we packed into. Have never been that wet.

Basically, you need to monitor the weather forecast in the days prior to your departure and be prepared for anything. That is deep, wild country and if you get in a pinch it could be bad.

[BB11b]

Most folks won't speak openly about the locations and the information they've learned...in my opinion, what you're asking for is way too specific to get open answers posted on the web. Don't take it personally...first rule of the high hunt is to not speak about the high hunt.
 

I’ll take that as I’m in the right area then haha. Thank you. I wasn’t looking for any specifics but just seeing as to what type of deer I will find more of.


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[jackelope]

Most folks won't speak openly about the locations and the information they've learned...in my opinion, what you're asking for is way too specific to get open answers posted on the web. Don't take it personally...first rule of the high hunt is to not speak about the high hunt.
 

I’ll take that as I’m in the right area then haha. Thank you. I wasn’t looking for any specifics but just seeing as to what type of deer I will find more of.


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Oh I wouldn't take anything I say as being worth a darn. I've never been there.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well I have been there. If your looking for trail conditions or reports go on NW Hikers and do a search. If you are looking for animal status, reports, places to hunt good luck there as that is privy info kept under ones hat.

[7mmfan]

You will find Blacktail on the westside with maybe a mule deer mixed in. Up on the Crest Trail, you'll find both, and the further east you head the more Mule Deer you'll encounter and less Blacktail. There are whitetail in the Entiat, but mostly way down near the Columbia, and very few of them.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

You will find Blacktail on the westside with maybe a mule deer mixed in. Up on the Crest Trail, you'll find both, and the further east you head the more Mule Deer you'll encounter and less Blacktail. There are whitetail in the Entiat, but mostly way down near the Columbia, and very few of them.

I would add Benchleg Deers as well.

[BB11b]

You will find Blacktail on the westside with maybe a mule deer mixed in. Up on the Crest Trail, you'll find both, and the further east you head the more Mule Deer you'll encounter and less Blacktail. There are whitetail in the Entiat, but mostly way down near the Columbia, and very few of them.

Awesome thank you. That’s mainly what I wanted to hear.


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[BB11b]

You will find Blacktail on the westside with maybe a mule deer mixed in. Up on the Crest Trail, you'll find both, and the further east you head the more Mule Deer you'll encounter and less Blacktail. There are whitetail in the Entiat, but mostly way down near the Columbia, and very few of them.

I would add Benchleg Deers as well.

What is a benchleg deer hahaha


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[Skyvalhunter]

No one in Wa state shoots benchleg blacktail.  That is unless it's a monster buck then it is instantly deemed benching.

[7mmfan]

A benchleg is dumpster fire of controversy thats what it is.

Technically it is a cross between a Mule Deer and a Blacktail. They're quite common in the Cascades. Anyone that kills a big blacktail is instantly scrutinized and called a liar, because obviously any large blacktail is a benchleg.

[BB11b]

A benchleg is dumpster fire of controversy thats what it is.

Technically it is a cross between a Mule Deer and a Blacktail. They're quite common in the Cascades. Anyone that kills a big blacktail is instantly scrutinized and called a liar, because obviously any large blacktail is a benchleg.

Well alrighty then. They’re legal to shoot too huh


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[7mmfan]

 

[BB11b]

So do they fall under black tail or Muley legal status for harvest? Haha


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[Knocker of rocks]

That area is commonly approached via Buck Creek during high hunt. Going up the Suiattle and thence to Image Lake gives access to that high country and the area of the Bath Lakes high route. The Buck Creek approach is marginally better for access towards Holden and the Pass No Pass and High Pass high country.

Getting into the Entiat drainage from either the Lyman, Phelps, Buck or Suiattle will be a test.

I hope that somewhat helps.

[BB11b]

That area is commonly approached via Buck Creek during high hunt. Going up the Suiattle and thence to Image Lake gives access to that high country and the area of the Bath Lakes high route. The Buck Creek approach is marginally better for access towards Holden and the Pass No Pass and High Pass high country.

Getting into the Entiat drainage from either the Lyman, Phelps, Buck or Suiattle will be a test.

I hope that somewhat helps.

Yeah I can see why most people would come in from that way. I’m not most people hahaha I am willing to go far and deep and through the tough stuff. Plus I like the idea of having the opportunity of choosing or seeing two different species. So thank you for the help I really appreciate it.


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[7mmfan]

So do they fall under black tail or Muley legal status for harvest? Haha


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It depends on what side of the PCT they are standing when you kill them. West side - Blacktail, East side - Mule Deer.

[Bill W]

I'm stubborn but not so stubborn I would access the Entiat from other than the Entiat trailhead.    Also I see you were asking about whitetail.  There are none there unless you carry a can of paint to paint tails.

[BB11b]

So do they fall under black tail or Muley legal status for harvest? Haha


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It depends on what side of the PCT they are standing when you kill them. West side - Blacktail, East side - Mule Deer.

Ok awesome. That’s good to know just in case.


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[BB11b]

I'm stubborn but not so stubborn I would access the Entiat from other than the Entiat trailhead.    Also I see you were asking about whitetail.  There are none there unless you carry a can of paint to paint tails.

It’s not stubbornness it’s just hunting more area and enjoying the scenery haha. Ok I wasn’t sure if they ever venture that high or not.


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[Knocker of rocks]

This is a link to Roland Tabor and the late Dwight Crowder’s classic “Routes and Rocks” now in the public domain as it was written by USGS  employees. Some of the routes no longer exist because they relied on sheep trails and the book was written 50 years ago when alpine herding was still common. But the info on high trails in the Bath Lake, High Pass, Massie, Phelps-Chiwawa divide and Leroy Creek routes is still very applicable.

https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/pacnw/pdf/routes_rocks_nomaps.pdf

[BB11b]

This is a link to Roland Tabor and the late Dwight Crowder’s classic “Routes and Rocks” now in the public domain as it was written by USGS  employees. Some of the routes no longer exist because they relied on sheep trails and the book was written 50 years ago when alpine herding was still common. But the info on high trails in the Bath Lake, High Pass, Massie, Phelps-Chiwawa divide and Leroy Creek routes is still very applicable.

https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/pacnw/pdf/routes_rocks_nomaps.pdf

That’s *censored*! I will definitely be checking this out. Thank you very much.


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[Bill W]

This is a link to Roland Tabor and the late Dwight Crowder’s classic “Routes and Rocks” now in the public domain as it was written by USGS  employees. Some of the routes no longer exist because they relied on sheep trails and the book was written 50 years ago when alpine herding was still common. But the info on high trails in the Bath Lake, High Pass, Massie, Phelps-Chiwawa divide and Leroy Creek routes is still very applicable.

https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/pacnw/pdf/routes_rocks_nomaps.pdf

I've been on the sheep trail that goes from about Leroy Creek to over to the Chiwawa basin trail.

[BB11b]

This is a link to Roland Tabor and the late Dwight Crowder’s classic “Routes and Rocks” now in the public domain as it was written by USGS  employees. Some of the routes no longer exist because they relied on sheep trails and the book was written 50 years ago when alpine herding was still common. But the info on high trails in the Bath Lake, High Pass, Massie, Phelps-Chiwawa divide and Leroy Creek routes is still very applicable.

https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/pacnw/pdf/routes_rocks_nomaps.pdf

I've been on the sheep trail that goes from about Leroy Creek to over to the Chiwawa basin trail.

Mind sharing your experience either here or on a PM? I’d love to hear it.


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[Bill W]

It doesn't exist any more other than on old maps.

[Knocker of rocks]

It's in Routes and Rocks

[Bill W]

It's in Routes and Rocks

Where it references "a recent road (1955)", this predates the enclusion in,  or creation of the Glacier Peak Wilderness area.  I understand this was about 1963 and have heard of people that drove almost all the way up to Spider Meadow around 1960ish.

[Knocker of rocks]

It's in Routes and Rocks

Where it references "a recent road (1955)", this predates the enclusion in,  or creation of the Glacier Peak Wilderness area.  I understand this was about 1963 and have heard of people that drove almost all the way up to Spider Meadow around 1960ish.

That might have been illegal even then.   Prior to the creation of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, there was the Glacier Peak Wild Area.   Driving and road construction even then may have been limited to mining.