Unit 450 is located in both District 13 and 14, with the southern portion directly on the west side of the Cascade Range in 13. The widest portion in the north is approximately 25 miles wide with much of the southern portion less than 5 miles wide. Elevations range from around 1,600-ft to over 8,000-ft; this entire GMU is very steep and rugged with numerous peaks standing guard over deep, dark, old growth forest valleys and mountain lakes.
In the northern portion, Snowking Mountain, in the Mt. Baker National Forest stands at 7,388-ft, looking over Cyclone Lake to the east. Further east, Mount Formidable and Spider Mountain both top 8,000-ft on the south side of Middle Cascade and Spider Glacier. Moving south in this tall, narrow unit you get to Fire, Black, Painted, Johnson, June, Bald Eagle, Benchmark, Fortune, Silica and Scrabble Mountains, along with Skullcap and Portal Peaks illustrating just how rugged this predominantly roadless unit is.
Old conifer forests of ponderosa pine, douglas fir and grand fir dominate the GMU, along with alpine grasses and forbs growing amongst the high-altitude rocky peaks and glaciers.
Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed for the majority 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. There are no towns within this GMU.