This unit follows the 32,000+ acre Lake Chelan, forming its southwestern border, down to the towns of Manson and Chelan. Wenatchee National Forest takes up over three-quarters of the unit. Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area in the northwest portion covers approximately one-third of the GMU. Over the past two decades, most of the unit has been affected to some degree by wildfires. The northeast border along the Sawtooth Ridge is all roadless, offering backpack and horseback hunters ample space and one of the areas not affected by past wildfires. Sawtooth Ridge is comprised of a string of mountain peaks ranging from 6,155-ft to over 8,000-ft. The southern tip terminates where the Chelan River meets the Columbia River and is primarily private with blocks of BLM, Wildlife Areas and state ground. Elk are thinly populated, scattered, and hard to find. A grizzly bear recovery zone overlaps this GMU.

This small unit is best bow hunted.

Wenatchee National Forest rises sharply from Lake Chelan with gains of 4,000-ft in a little over a mile. Broken conifer forests and woodlands dominate the GMU with large, open, steep, rocky sidehills and old burns in various states of regrowth. The Sawtooth Ridge talus slopes cut deep creeks as they drain, leaving multiple mountain lakes on their way to the meadows and grassland. The northern portion is roadless with the Grade Creek Rd allowing access into the middle of the unit from Mason, on the shore of Lake Chelan. Along Lake Chelan, Chelan River and the Columbia River hold the majority of agricultural land, and recreational and seasonal use properties in this dryer sagebrush and prairie region.

A large portion of this unit is public land, so access will be easy for backpackers and hunters with pack strings in roadless areas. There is one main travel route in the middle of this unit, so, as you could guess, it gets the most hunting pressure. The southern tip is basically all private, with small blocks of BLM, state and wildlife areas. You will need to do some homework early in order to gain access to private ground.

Conifer forests with pine and fir dominate the north slopes. South facing slopes have much more open native grass meadows dotted with timber, especially along the various drainages. Deep creeks are choked with shrubs and a variety of trees in various stages of regrowth from numerous fires. Sawtooth Ridge features short alpines and an incredible array of wildflowers, lichen, and forbs mixed through the talus slopes making excellent high elevation mule deer habitat. Lower elevations are much more arid, comprised of sage, native bunch grass, and invasive non-native grasses. Agricultural land consists primarily of orchards producing apples, pears, cherries, apricots and peaches.

Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed for the majority of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may be in effect, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower, and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, your best options will be in the small towns of Manson and Chelan.