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Colockum_03042012_2

When snow continues to blanket much of the Upper Valley during the shoulder seasons, there is a good chance that one can head east and find warmth and sunshine.  We did just that and explored an area rich in wildlife and local history-the Colockum.

Located approximately 15 miles outside of Wenatchee, Colockum Pass begins as a paved country road that retraces the route stagecoaches took for over 50 years.  The pass winds through sagebrush canyons and eventually turns to dirt as Ponderosa Pines begin to line the roadway and blue mountains can be seen in the distance.   The road is primitive and at certain times of year may be impassable, so we would recommend four wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle.

Historically, Colockum Pass was a significant thoroughfare for pioneers making their way to the Eastern Side of the state from Ellensburg.  The journey up and down the steep pass could take an entire day and stories are recorded that tell of travelers chopping down a tree at the top of the hill to be attached to the back of the wagon in an effort to slow the speed of the descent on the way down

Remnants of this local history can be seen in the long overgrown homesteads, hundred year old Elm trees and old wooden fence posts that line the roads.

This area acts as a vital convergence zone for wildlife.  According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Colockum is home to elk, deer, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, turkey, quail, and a myriad of small mammals, neo-tropical/upland birds, raptors, and reptiles.   We didn’t have the opportunity to see any of these animals on our day trip, but we did see rolling grassland hills illuminated by the afternoon sun and wide open vistas that were a refreshing change of pace after spending most of the winter recreating in the mountains.  This is big sky country and it’s beautiful.

travel_unkonventionalle_header

Colockum_03042012_2

When snow continues to blanket much of the Upper Valley during the shoulder seasons, there is a good chance that one can head east and find warmth and sunshine.  We did just that and explored an area rich in wildlife and local history-the Colockum.

Located approximately 15 miles outside of Wenatchee, Colockum Pass begins as a paved country road that retraces the route stagecoaches took for over 50 years.  The pass winds through sagebrush canyons and eventually turns to dirt as Ponderosa Pines begin to line the roadway and blue mountains can be seen in the distance.   The road is primitive and at certain times of year may be impassable, so we would recommend four wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle.

Historically, Colockum Pass was a significant thoroughfare for pioneers making their way to the Eastern Side of the state from Ellensburg.  The journey up and down the steep pass could take an entire day and stories are recorded that tell of travelers chopping down a tree at the top of the hill to be attached to the back of the wagon in an effort to slow the speed of the descent on the way down

Remnants of this local history can be seen in the long overgrown homesteads, hundred year old Elm trees and old wooden fence posts that line the roads.

This area acts as a vital convergence zone for wildlife.  According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Colockum is home to elk, deer, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, turkey, quail, and a myriad of small mammals, neo-tropical/upland birds, raptors, and reptiles.   We didn’t have the opportunity to see any of these animals on our day trip, but we did see rolling grassland hills illuminated by the afternoon sun and wide open vistas that were a refreshing change of pace after spending most of the winter recreating in the mountains.  This is big sky country and it’s beautiful.

Many of the users of this area visit the Colockum to hunt game but we think it’s also a great spot to check out and just to take in the sights.  We’ve also heard the wildflowers in the spring are stunning.

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Driving Directions
Drive south from Wenatchee on the Malaga/Alcoa Hwy. 13 miles to the junction of the Colockum Road and the Tarpiscan Road. Continue on the Colockum Road 6 miles to the end of the county road. This road becomes primitive, but does continue up and over Colockum Pass to the Kittitas Valley and Ellensburg area.

For more information:  wdfw.wa.gov