With less than 1,000-acres of private land, this 101,000-acre tract of Wenatchee National Forest offers excellent public land hunting access. This unit is located along the western banks of Lake Chelan, with Saska and Emerald Peak both topping 8,000-ft standing along the northern border. It then follows Entiat River south along the western edge down to Lake Creek before cutting overland via the steep Devil’s Backbone to Lake Chelan. Cardinal Peak is the highest point, standing tall in the roadless northern portion of the unit with its eastern face draining down Bear Creek to the lake, creating a lake-based access point to the northern reaches of the GMU. Multiple wildfires since 2004 have burned a significant portion of the unit with the 2015 Wolverine Fire burning the western border along Entiat River. This steep unit is dotted with old clear cuts, burns and old growth timber providing excellent forage for wildlife, but relatively little water as the unit drains quickly. Mule deer hunting is fair with low populations of mule deer and some trophy potential. Elk are few and far between, with hunting success extremely low. There are little to no whitetail here; they are mainly found along the riparian habitat. The grizzly bear recovery zone overlaps this GMU.

Black bears, cougars, blue grouse and ruffed grouse hunting opportunities are also found in this region.

This unit has very steep, physical terrain, with a network of deep creeks draining water quickly out of the unit. With two decades of fires, the unit offers excellent food sources for wildlife. This patchwork of woodland age class allows excellent glassing for wildlife, along with spot and stalk hunting. There are just a few roads either bordering the unit or within the unit that get the most hunting pressure. Day hikes or backpacking trips offer excellent public land hunting opportunities.

Easy access is available via Shady Pass Road 59, Pope Ridge Road and Entiat Valley Road 51. A portion of the unit is only accessible by boat on Lake Chelan. There are limited two tracks, however, watch for road closures. The Cardinal Peak area is roadless.

Roughly eighty-five percent of this GMU consists of conifer forests and woodlands of various ages, thanks to two-decades of wildfires. Pine, fir and aspen are located in the higher elevations, and start thinning out around East Point and the Devil’s Backbone in the south. Cardinal, Saska, and Emerald Peaks are all well above timber line and have steep talus slopes and cliffs with lichen providing vital nutrients for wildlife during the summer months. The remainder of the unit holds arid sage and native grasslands. Hearty buckbrush fills in the draws, providing excellent browse for deer and birds alike. There is only about 160-acres of agricultural land reported by the WDFW in this unit.

Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed during most of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may happen, 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 option will be Chelan, although it is well outside the unit.