outdoor experiences
No matter the season, Kittitas County offers picturesque scenery and a chance to get outdoors. Snoqualmie Pass Hill
n WILDLIFE VIEWING
n BIRDING
For those who are patient, viewing wildlife in Kittitas County is possible just about any time of the year. Depending on the season, the Yakima Canyon southeast of Ellensburg provides dramatic views of eagles, hawks and other raptors, a variety of birds nesting in the canyon walls, big horn sheep, deer, elk, coyotes and smaller mammals. From late December through as late as early April, state Fish and Wildlife Department personnel daily provide hay to a herd of elk at the end of Watt Canyon Road, 15 miles northwest of Ellensburg. Feeding begins at 8 a.m. and visitors can watch from behind a wildlife fence and parking area. Wildlife viewing also is possible on designated state-owned wildlife areas in Kittitas County — the Colockum, L.T. Murray, Quilomene, Whisky Dick and Wenas areas.
Late winter is prime time for viewing bald eagles in Kittitas County. The best place to view bald eagles is northeast of Ellensburg in the Fairview and Naneum areas during calving season from February through late April. In addition to the late winter/spring visits, bald eagles also can be found in the fall, feeding on salmon. The Umtanum Creek Trail in the Yakima River Canyon is a good location to find golden eagles and other birds. The Kittitas Audubon Society organizes a guided birdwalk the first Saturday of the month at 8 a.m. at the parking lot to Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park on Umptanum Road.
QUICK CONTACT NUMBERS GOLFING: Ellensburg Golf & Country Club, 509-962-2984 Sun Country Golf & RV, 509-674-2226 Suncadia, 866-715-5050
n GOLFING Kittitas County is a great place for golf in the spring, summer and fall. There are three main options — the Ellensburg Golf Club, SunCountry Golf near Cle Elum CENTRAL WASHINGTON | VISITORS GUIDE
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