Forum Index > Trip Reports > Whiskey Dick- Wildflowers are waking up! 4-17-11
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Hikingqueen
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Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
Hikingqueen
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PostMon Apr 18, 2011 8:09 am 
This one has been on my list for a while. Brent and I got up early 5ish and were at the TH by 8 AM. It was windy and cold high 30's. But after the first couple of miles it warmed up. We parked at the gate and obeyed the sign that said no unauthorized vehicles, we could have drove around the sign but we wanted more miles.
Gate at the beginning of the hike Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area 4-17-11
Gate at the beginning of the hike Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area 4-17-11
I was hoping this hike was going to be good and not all industrial due to wind turbines. We went by them fairly quickly.
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Turn right at the dead cow
Turn right at the dead cow
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Then came the field of Lupine, I've never seen so many, 90% not opened yet, but SOON, very SOON! They were so fuzzy and pretty and I could imagine how amazing it will be when they all open. This spot is in the 1-2 mile zone.
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i don't remember lupine being this fuzzy, but maybe i've never seen it at this stage?
i don't remember lupine being this fuzzy, but maybe i've never seen it at this stage?
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The flowers and colors were awesome and it's just the beginning.
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backlit
backlit
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no flowers were crushed while taking this pic
no flowers were crushed while taking this pic
We walked for 4-5 miles and then had lunch over looking river
Just one more hill honey!
Just one more hill honey!
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First butterfly of the season!
First butterfly of the season!
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Return to car
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Lupine!
Lupine!
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Poor cow, but i bet he fed alot of animals
Poor cow, but i bet he fed alot of animals
We were so tired after we had a brilliant idea to find a spot to take a nap. Vantage was so close we checked out Wanapum State Park and found a beach to nap
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Wanapum State Park
Wanapum State Park
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napping hiker
napping hiker
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Only thing I didn't get to see was the famous hedgehog cactus, guess I'll have to go back. Tons of balsamroot blooming in the vantage area and plox.

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lookout bob
WTA proponent.....



Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 3043 | TRs | Pics
Location: wta work while in between lookouts
lookout bob
WTA proponent.....
PostMon Apr 18, 2011 8:51 am 
HQ....nice report...great pics.....Whiskey Dick is one of the best places I've ever been in Central Washington for flowers....just a bit early though this cold and wet year....probably first week of May for the peak. When the Hedgehogs bloom, the area is irresistable. Great walks down the valley there and petrified wood on the ridgetop. Thanks for peaking (piquing) my interest!!! cool.gif

"Altitude is its own reward" John Jerome ( from "On Mountains")
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Z
Erratic



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 797 | TRs | Pics
Location: Greater Orondo area
Z
Erratic
PostMon Apr 18, 2011 1:34 pm 
The cacti started blooming across the Columbia from Whisky Dick (Babcock Bench area) a couple weeks ago.

"Einstein stating that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, is as a blind man stating that nothing can travel faster than the speed of sound" 1979 They don't make years like they used to.
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker



Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostMon Apr 18, 2011 1:38 pm 
Looks like fun Queeny. Since Ive been away from home since January 10th Ive got a lot of hiking catch up to perform. Nice to see you both getting out.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Alpendave
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Joined: 01 Aug 2008
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Alpendave
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PostSat Apr 23, 2011 2:32 am 
Yum. Beef -- it's what's for dinner!

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furthur
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Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics
Location: onward and upward
furthur
Berry Bagger
PostSat Apr 23, 2011 7:04 am 
I could use a lupine fix. Do you need a Fish & Wildlife sticker for this TH?

"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Kesey
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Hikingqueen
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Hikingqueen
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PostSat Apr 23, 2011 6:08 pm 
Yes on permit

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