Our incoming residents had an opportunity to see some of the wilderness outside of Ellensburg and participated in a group hike led by Brian, from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This 1.8 mile loop trail to Table Mountain in Kittitas County, is in an area that experienced a severe wildfire in 2012. The majority of its trees died in this fire; however, there are currently an abundance of lodgepole pine seedlings that have established and grown to 3-6 feet in height.
The area is important summer range for the Colockum elk herd and is also the headwaters of Wilson Creek. Wilson Creek flows into the Kittitas Valley and connects with the Yakima River between Ellensburg and Yakima.
In addition to a wonderful hike, residents learned about the importance of management in moving our local forests toward health and resiliency.
Residents also drove to Lion’s Rock, an exceptional vista at 6350 feet with amazing views of the Cascades and Stuart Mountain Ranges.
