Elbe Hills Access?

[zackmioli]

During Early Archery Elk Season are the gates into the Elbe Hills area closed? If so, would you access the area from the gate right in Elbe or up off the Scott Turner Rd? Are there other ways to enter? Or would you even waste your time going up in that area? Just looking for another spot somewhat close to home to get up to from time to time, thanks for any info!

[trophyhunt]

I believe they close the gates on Sept 1st, there should be some guys on here to give you some better info.

[Kowsrule30]

That gate use to always be open out of Elbe for modern about 12 years ago.... Haven't been there for deer in a while....

[BenC567]

Last year they closed on September 1st.  The north side is all owned by a forest company that requires specials passes to get in that cost a few hundred.  I don't have the map in front of my by there is a creek that name starts with a B (I think) that is the border between state and forest company land.  Long hike in from the blue gates. 

Hope this helps....  I know it's kind of scattered.

[zackmioli]

Last year they closed on September 1st.  The north side is all owned by a forest company that requires specials passes to get in that cost a few hundred.  I don't have the map in front of my by there is a creek that name starts with a B (I think) that is the border between state and forest company land.  Long hike in from the blue gates. 

Hope this helps....  I know it's kind of scattered.

i believe that north side is bordered by hancock. do you know where i could get a map that shows the entire forest and its border?

[zackmioli]

oh, 1 more question, if i were to hike in to the state forest, can i camp in there or is that not allowed? i know id have to get a discover pass as well, just looking for a place to maybe hike into for a weekend or something.

[netcoyote]

I'll try to answer some of your questions.
The gate was closed on the Elbe town access road last year on Sept 1. I wouldn't use that as a given for every year since logging and road conditions can vary from year to year. Scott-Turner road is always open but access is limited by snow later in the season. The DNR access roads from Scott-Turner rd are all gated about the same time as the Elbe town gate. You can still hike, or bike in and camping is allowed.
The eastern boundary of the DNR land is the Busy Wild river. There was a lot of logging done in that area last year. The logging was around the lower portion of the snow park access road accessed from Stoner road, don't turn at the ATV park, just stay on the main road. I don't know how far down they logged but I plan to scout that area this year.
Good maps of the DNR boundaries are hard to find but you can get a lot of info on-line. Try this for a start:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_fl_map_pierceco3.pdf
The NF maps show state owned land as well.

[cem3434]

I'll try to answer some of your questions.
The gate was closed on the Elbe town access road last year on Sept 1. I wouldn't use that as a given for every year since logging and road conditions can vary from year to year. Scott-Turner road is always open but access is limited by snow later in the season. The DNR access roads from Scott-Turner rd are all gated about the same time as the Elbe town gate. You can still hike, or bike in and camping is allowed.
The eastern boundary of the DNR land is the Busy Wild river. There was a lot of logging done in that area last year. The logging was around the lower portion of the snow park access road accessed from Stoner road, don't turn at the ATV park, just stay on the main road. I don't know how far down they logged but I plan to scout that area this year.
Good maps of the DNR boundaries are hard to find but you can get a lot of info on-line. Try this for a start:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_fl_map_pierceco3.pdf
The NF maps show state owned land as well.

  I dont think I could have said it any better!

[zackmioli]

Thank you very much Net! that is exactly what i was looking for. If you wanna meet up for a scouting trek sometime feel free to hit me up! I'm always game for that kinda stuff!

[bobcat]

Just one more point to add- no Discover pass necessary if you're parking on a road outside of DNR lands and hiking or biking in. You would only need the Discover pass for your vehicle if you are driving into (or parking on) the DNR land.

[zackmioli]

Just one more point to add- no Discover pass necessary if you're parking on a road outside of DNR lands and hiking or biking in. You would only need the Discover pass for your vehicle if you are driving into (or parking on) the DNR land.

Nice, thanks for the tip!

[belkaholic]

the Elbe gate and the 5 rd gate on top are always closed to motor vich. after sept. 1st. Even if they are open(loggers). ATVs are only allowed on the Orv park and all target shooting or shotgun shooting is NOT ALOWED anymore except at the one gravel pit near Ashford on the corner. dnr pass is required on all Elbe hills Rd's. it has become a vary busy spot the last couple years and has been subject to allot of poaching. the game department has stepped up to help DNR to patroll it more. i am up there almost every week once the snow clears,in my yota or my dual sport. maybe I'll see u up there.

[zackmioli]

While searching to see if camping was allowed in Elbe hills on google I came across this thread I started 2 years ago!! Haha, forgot all about this and thought it was funny. Thanks hunt-wa for answering my questions from 2 years ago!!