We began our drive from the Ellensburg side of the Colockum Road. In 2.2 miles the road becomes graveled as it climbs from the Kittitas Valley on its way to Colockum Pass and then down to Wenatchee for a total of 30 miles. The road is bad from the start and gradually gets worse, worse and more worse! The road from the pass to Wenatchee is the worst! If we had started in Wenatchee, we might not have gone to the pass. Bob had the truck in 4 wheel drive "granny" most of the way down! At about 14 miles from the start the road enters the Colockum State Wildlife Area and soon reaches the roadside site Half-Way Station which in the 1880's was a stop on a well-used wagon road. The area is home to one of the states largest elk herds. We did see about 8 elk in one area. We saw a beautiful buck in velvet which had fibromatosis which is caused by a papilloma virus that manifests itself as a warty growth attached to the skin of the deer.
There are no formal TH's in the area, but one can meander on miles and miles of flower lined roads. We stopped to meander several meadows filled with beautiful flowers. Bitterroot was in abundance. At our first stop there were several grazing cattle and a bull was vocally telling us from afar that we were not welcome and he kept walking toward us as if to tell us to get out of his territory! There was more white lupine than we had ever seen in one area. Thyme-leaf buckwheat, scarlet gilia, Larkspur, penstemon, and yellow daisies were some of the other flowers seen. Views of the Columbia River and Central Washington are nice as you begin your descent into Wenatcheee so doing the road north from Ellensburg has the best views. Camping is allowed within 100 feet of open roads in the Wildlife Area which would allow you to explore the area in depth. The road is closed to motorized vehicles from 3-1 to 4-15, but hiking is allowed. A USGS Green Dot Road Map would be good to have if hiking the area. 4 men on quads were the only other people seen.
Comments
thebrink on Colockum Pass Road
I look forward to your photos and full report. Does the road go all the way through? I heard there was some sort of obstacle preventing going from Klickitat to Wenatchee.
Posted by:
thebrink on Jun 29, 2022 07:57 PM
Bob and Barb on Colockum Pass Road
Yes, the road does go all the way through, but at times seems like torture with all the rocks and deep ruts. We are not sorry we did it, but it will probably be a one time adventure! The flowers were in abundance and beautiful. You definitely need high clearance and 4 Wheel Drive is a big help!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Jun 30, 2022 08:48 PM
thebrink on Colockum Pass Road
The first and last time I went all the through was in 1971 with a brand new Mazda 616 coupe. It took my wife and I all day to get to Wenatchee. Is the road pretty rough before you get to some of the wildflowers?
Posted by:
thebrink on Jul 01, 2022 08:46 AM
Bob and Barb on Colockum Pass Road
The gravel road is rough from the beginning and only gets worse, but it is not treacherous or dangerous in any way! Just hard on the body sometimes! We both said that evening as we sat by a nice campfire that we were glad we had done the trip as the flowers were spectacular and the areas in the open meadows with their stands of aspen, pines and extensive views were beautful, but we probably wouldn't do to again! It took us about 2 hours to get to the first open meadows as seen in the pictures with bitterroot. It took us about 6 1/2 hours on the gravel to get to Wenatchee! This time included lunch and several stops to meander in the flower areas. If we were to do it again, we might drive to the views of the Columbia River and then return the way we came when the road began to descend into the forest again. All the white lupine in the forest area as you first start up the gravel road is beautiful! I had to smile picturing you and your wife driving the road in your brand new Mazda 616 coupe! :)! It wouldn't make it today!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Jul 01, 2022 01:06 PM
ejain on Colockum Pass Road
I was wondering about "shortcuts" from Wenatchee to Ellensburg last week... After reading your report, I think I will pass on this one :-)
Posted by:
ejain on Jul 04, 2022 04:33 PM
Bob and Barb on Colockum Pass Road
It is definitely not a "shortcut" time wise, but the flowers and scenery were BEAUTIFUL and it was a fun adventure! :)!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Jul 05, 2022 04:32 PM