Overall this unit is a large mess of ridgebacks and mountain peaks, 4,000 -5,000 feet above the Columbia and Wenachee Rivers. With scattered timber along the long ridgebacks and deep canyons, this unit has tons of fantastic sheep habitat and has built a reputation of producing some very big rams. Access is great, and your hunt will consist of lots of time behind the glass; it is often unnecessary to leave the vehicle until you have spotted the ram you are looking for. Plan on strenuous day hikes in order to be successful.

The Chelan Wildlife Area, found above the town of Sunnyslope and moving north above the Columbia River, historically holds the highest densities of sheep in the unit.

The Entiat Mountains make up the bulk of this unit, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation as you come off of the Columbia River on the east side of the unit and head west. This mountain range consists of long ridgebacks and deep canyons spilled across the landscape in pure chaos, as there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason why one ridge breaks and another starts. The heart of the unit has miles of thick timber; meanwhile, the majority of the extremities are more open with scattered timber, which is very conducive to glassing. The Chelan Wildlife Area on the southeast corner of the unit seems to be where the majority of the sheep congregate. However, a big ram could turn up anywhere -the entire unit has excellent sheep habitat.

A large array of vegetation can be found in the Wenatchee National Forest; you can expect to see many species, including but not limited to, vine maple, sword fern, douglas fir, western red cedar, alder, western hemlock, mountain hemlock, and the yellow cedar. There are multiple species of grasses, ferns, and shrubbery, including foxgloves, salmon berries, and huckleberries. Depending on how much moisture has been on the mountain recently, there are also lots of wildflowers in all directions.

Burch Mountain Road heads north out of the town of Sunnyslope, gaining thousands of feet in elevation as you make your way towards Eagle Rock and Burch Mountain, sheep can be found anywhere along this road. There are multiple areas to stop and glass the long ridges to the north, which are all excellent sheep habitat, and historically where the bulk of the sheep reside in the unit. Just north of Sunnyslope on Hwy 97, you will find Swakane Road heading to the west away from the river; this road will take you up the bottom of Swakane Canyon and will continue for miles through the forest. A good majority of the sheep historically hang out on either side of the canyon for the first 8-10 miles.

If you are wanting to get away from where most of the hunters have found success in the past and see some different country, you will need to continue north on Hwy 97 until you reach County Hwy 19, which heads west, and then look for the Mills Canyon Road which will head south at Mills Canyon. There is nothing but private land along this road for the first few miles, but once you make it past the private, you will have miles of National Forest. The Mills Canyon Road is the main road across the unit, eventually linking up with Derby Canyon Road, just south of the highest peak in the unit, Chumstick Mountain. If you continue on Derby Canyon Road you will eventually exit the forest on Hwy 97 between Cashmere and Leavenworth.

Primitive camping in the forest is allowed most of the year, but access and areas of the forest will get closed as winter weather starts to set in; call ahead to double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are looking for an established campground, the Wenachee River County Park and Campground is located right next to the river on Hwy 97, in between Cashmere and Sunnyslope. If you would like to be a little further off the beaten path, the Prairie Creek Campground is not far off of the Mill Canyon Road, however, it is worth noting that you are a long ways from where the sheep typically hang out if you choose to camp at this location. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower while you are in the area, there are a couple of options in Sunnyslope, but if you go a little further south into the town of Wenachee, there are countless options for lodging and a Sportsman’s Warehouse if you are in need of some last minute gear.