Columbia National Wildlife Refuge - Crab Creek — Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2010

Central Washington > Potholes Region

This was my first trip to the Lower Crab Creek Wildlife Area. It was so wonderful that although I actually hiked in for the day, then decided to grab my overnight gear and camp, rather than using the WDFW dispersed camping sites along Lower Crab Creek Road. I followed directions to the large parking area below Saddle Mountains from "Best Desert Hikes". You can't miss the parking lot: when dry, it appears almost snowy from the soapy substance that leaches to the surface of the alkaline soil. I walked across the road to the WDFW sign and road that leads to the Milwaukee Rails to Trails route. On the railroad bridge over Crab Creek, I met a small family that was doing some repair to a plank on the bridge: apparently the state lacks funds to do this (surprise!) so the gentleman with the handlebar moustache and well-worn cowboy hat and boots was taking charge in order to insure the annual John Wayne 250-mile trail (horseback) ride could occur. I dropped off the railroad grade at the first rocky area past the marshes, after admiring scores of ducks that refused to sit for a photograph. There wasn't really a trail, but as usual in this area, it's hard to get lost, with mountains flanking the valley and the features of the mighty uplift of Saddle Mountains to use as wayfinders. The miniature coulees and little pond areas give this area real charm and foster a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, rabbits, deer, and lots of birds. I wandered around for hours and never did make it up to the low spot in the hills for a view. Balsamroot, phlox, larkspur, and death camas were in bloom. My tent was pitched on a worn site at the convergence of various game paths below a rocky outcrop. In the evening, there was light rain that spread the spicy fragrance of sage on the breeze. At night, I awoke to the sound of snorting and pawing; fresh poop outside the tent indicated I probably occupied the bed-down spot of a mule deer, probably a buck. At about 2 am, the unsettled weather acted out, sending huge gusts of wind to rock my little tent and pouring rain down for 20 minutes. I lay awake until it subsided wondering whether enough rain could cause flooding in the area, and whether 4 wheel drive would help if the soapy parking area turned into a slimy, saturated mess. I wolke in the morning to a half-angry sky and the sun struggling to illuminate the Saddle Mountains. As I ate breakfast, an amazing bird racket projected through the area and a large flock of sandhill cranes appeared, taking laps over the valley area like the trumpeter swans do at home when they're preparing to migrate. I hiked out to get out of the high wind advisory, but will be back, next time for several days.