Conservation Northwest

Conservation Northwest updates 12 Summer 2016 conservationnw.org experience their homes, even if you don't see them Grizzly bears: North Cascades High Divide State and federal wildlife agencies estimate that fewer than ten grizzly bears persist in Washington's North Cascades, making it the most at-risk bear population in North America. While federal agencies consider how best to restore this endangered population through a multi-year Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that began in 2015, you can experience their epic habitat, keeping your eyes peeled for the last "Ghost Bears" of the North Cascades. With high emerald meadows and rolling ridges dotted with tarns, as well as nearby river bottoms in the Nooksack and Chilliwack drainages, Welcome Pass and the High Divide are prime grizzly bear country. Pack bear spray and bear canisters, keep a clean camp, cook and eat away from sleeping areas, and keep dogs on leash. If you think you see a grizzly bear, photograph it from a safe distance and report the sighting to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Remember, color and size are not good differentiators between grizzly and black bears. Look for a hump above the front shoulder, a flatter, dished face, and long claws for digging up tasty insects, ground squirrels and vegetation. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/welcome-pass conservationnw.org/grizzly Wolverines: Chiwaukum Creek Unregulated poisoning and trapping drove wolverines to extinction in Wash- ington in the early 1900s. But in the last decade the tenacious Gulo gulo has been recolonizing our region from Canada, with around 30 individuals estimated to live in the Cascades today from the Canadian border south to Chinook Pass. Fun fact: at least two wolverines have been documented around Chinook Pass this summer, the first to be docu- mented south of I-90. Formidable trav- elers, wolverines can range hundreds of miles through the roughest terrain. With their large territories and limited numbers, seeing one or even spotting their loping tracks requires luck and dedication. Using motion-activated cameras, Conservation Northwest's Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project has documented a number of wolver- Five great northwest hikes For wildliFe Chase Gunnell Deputy Communications Director Wildlife hikes With an incredible diversity of wildlands, from old- growth forests and alpine meadows to sagebrush steppes and desert coulees, the Northwest is home to some of the best hik- ing and backpacking opportunities in the nation. But there are more than towering forests and volcano views to be found on our trails. It might take patience, wildlife watching skills, and a whole lot of luck, but our region also offers a glimpse at some of North America's most iconic animals. And even if you don't see them, setting out to experience the places that wolverines, lynx, grizzly bears and caribou still call home adds an incalcu- lable element of wildness to any outdoor adventure. Because of connections to wildlife populations in Canada, habitat protected in national parks, wilderness areas, and on other public lands; and recent recovery efforts, today Wash- ington features a wealth of wildlife found in very few states. In fact, of the iconic mammal species present at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, only wild American bison, residents of southeast Washington until the early 1800s, are missing from our state today. Wolverines have returned to the Cascades. Grizzly bears persist in our state's northeast corner, and a tiny population resides in the North Cascades. Fishers have been reintroduced to the Olympic Peninsula and South Cascades. Gray wolves are naturally recolonizing our state from Canada, Idaho and Oregon. About a dozen mountain caribou still roam the trans- boundary Selkirk Mountains where Washington, Idaho and British Columbia meet. North of Lake Chelan and west of the Okanogan River ranges one of the Lower 48's last Canada lynx populations. Pronghorn antelope have been reintroduced to the Yakama and Colville Reservations. Its prime time to ex- perience a Washington that's as wild as it's been in a century. Our region features more outdoor destinations than most could experience in a lifetime. But when it comes to a chance at seeing our most iconic animals, a few great hiking and back- packing destinations stand out. Here are five of Washington's best hikes to see the Northwest's rarest wildlife species, or at least to experience the wild places they call home. Reminder: It's important to keep a clean camp, carry safety gear including bear spray, and give wild animals the space and respect they deserve. Abundant online resources are available for safe and responsible hiking and wildlife watching, including around large wildlife like bears and moose.

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