Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area

This is not the hike describe in the Desert Hikes book and here at WTA. I parked just off the Vantage Highway at the 3rd left that enters the Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area(1st left is the Beacon Hill Road (wind-farm access), 2nd is where the corral is located, and 3rd is the least visible, a short distance east of the corral). This is sometimes called the Pumphouse Road. I hiked about a miles, passing the first left and taking the 2nd left. This closed road (closed all the time) took me to the top of the ridge (Whiskey Dick Mt) where I intersected the Whiskey Dick Ridge Road. I then hiked about 3/4 mile west on the ridge road, dropped down off trail and intersected the road that I passed on my way in and returned to my vehicle. This made a 4.5-5 mile loop. The weather was great; only a slight breeze where the wind seems to blow constantly. The wildflower boom is reaching its peak. Among many I saw balsamroot, hawksbeard, 4 or 5 species of desert parsley, phlox, phacelia, lupine, western groundsel, several species of buckwheat, narrow leaf goldenweed, false agoseris, milk vetch, and the flower I most wanted to see in bloom, hedgehog cactus. Hedgehog cactus are just starting to bloom. Most have buds that should open in a week or two. Most of the lupines are starting to bloom. Linear leaf daisy is about to bloom. I saw a few Columbia puccoon in one small area. I didn't see any snakes, and so far I know I brought home at least 1 tick. I saw 3 other people hiking, but only one near me.