Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area — Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

There are different places to access the trails in the Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area. I parked in the lot that is a few miles past the Quilomene Unit (going east). Past trip reports and online resources give detailed information on the various spots available to access the trails so I won't repeat them. Today at the Quilomene Unit there was a closed gate at the trailhead but the parking lot was accessible. At the Whiskey Dick Unit there was no closed gate. The parking lot had ample parking available. 

The trail starts out on a deeply rutted, dry wide jeep road with scattered flowers on each side of the road. After about 1.5 miles the amount of flowers increase and by the time you reach the ridge the flowers are beautiful. The combination of flowers with their various colors and shapes keep you looking at all the different varieties in bloom. Some of the balsamroot is fading but there are many other flowers showing off their glory. The hillsides are still showing some green but with the rising temperatures the hills will turn to brown. Wind turbines are part of the landscape. Today they were quiet and almost ghost-like.

Lots of birds. Some were singing loudly while others were soaring silently in the sky above. There were bluebirds near the parking lot and others hanging out by nest boxes. I never tire of seeing the bright blue feathers that they display on their bodies.

The trail elevation is gradual and I don't find it difficult although the uneven rutted ground on the road can demand attention at times. The is no water and no shade. You can decide how far you want to go once you reach the ridge.  I  think you can actually walk a loop using other trails within wildlife area. 

I saw one snake spread across the trail basking in the sun. I think it was a gopher snake but I didn't spend much time trying to figure out its species. I moved on in search of other sights. I also saw a couple of small lizards. 

When not looking for flowers in the lower section of the trail the landscape holds pretty subtle colors from the sagebrush, grasses and other plants. Lots to look at on this hike.