GMU 364 - Rimrock, Washington

Steep, heavily forested eastern Cascade unit ranging from 2,400 ft at Rimrock Reservoir on the Tieton River to 7,903 ft at Goat Rocks alpine summits (Old Snowy Mountain, Ives Peak, Gilbert Peak). The eastern third offers moderate road access via USFS Road 1200 (Tieton/Rimrock Dam Road) and FR 1207 (North Fork Tieton). The western two-thirds is roadless backcountry and Goat Rocks Wilderness. Terrain grades from ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest at lower elevations through mixed grand fir and lodgepole to alpine meadow and talus above timberline. The 2024 Retreat/Rimrock Fire burned >30,000 acres across GMUs 360 and 364 along the Oak Creek Wildlife Area corridor, opening burn-edge glassing opportunities particularly off the North Fork Tieton drainages.

Primary access is US Highway 12 along the north boundary at Rimrock Lake. USFS Road 1200 (Rimrock Dam/Tieton Reservoir Road) provides the main corridor — note December 2025 storm damage closed a section between junctions 1203 and 1000; check current USFS conditions before travel. FR 1207 runs up the North Fork Tieton toward backcountry trailheads. Bumping Lake Road (FR 1800) provides northern entry. South Fork Tieton Trail and Conrad Meadows trailhead give access to the Goat Rocks Wilderness from the south. The WDFW/DNR Green Dot road system governs motorized access on many spur roads; maps available at WDFW Yakima regional office (1701 S. 24th Ave, Yakima) or DNR Southeast Regional office (713 Bowers Rd, Ellensburg).

Lower elevations (2,400–4,500 ft): ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and grand fir forest with pinegrass and shrub understory. Mid-elevations (4,500–6,500 ft): lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce. The 2018 Miriam wildfire (North Fork Tieton area) and 2024 Retreat/Rimrock Fire created burn-scar openings offering tender forbs and regrowth along timbered edges — prime glassing habitat. Alpine zone above 6,500 ft: rock, talus, lichen, alpine forbs and grass used for summer grazing by elk, deer, and mountain goats. The Goat Rocks Wilderness occupies the western apex of the unit.

Elk follow classic elevation-migration patterns — summering in the high Cascade backcountry above timberline and moving down to lower-elevation winter range in the Tieton and Naches drainages as snow accumulates. Early archery hunters intercept bulls near ridge-top benches; by modern firearm season animals concentrate in dense timber and north-facing drainages away from roads. The 2024 Retreat/Rimrock fire burn edges along the lower unit are expected to attract deer and elk to fresh forage for several years post-fire. Pinegrass Ridge and the Lost Lake area have historically been noted as reliable glassing areas for elk. Elk are highly sensitive to ATVs and UTVs; foot access dramatically improves encounters.

GMU 364 is part of the Yakima elk herd management zone. Elk populations are within total population objectives as of 2025 per WDFW District 8 biologists. The 2015-2017 harsh winter caused significant population decline; recovery has been stable 2018-present. General season elk in this unit is spike-bull only for archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm — quality any-bull opportunity requires a special permit draw. District 8 has confirmed presence of Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) — report lame or limping elk to WDFW. CWD testing is not required for District 8 GMUs in the 2025-2026 season but suspicious animals should be reported. Mountain goats inhabit the Goat Rocks Wilderness portion of the unit; extremely limited draw (often 1 permit, Goat Rocks East unit). Hunter orange/pink (minimum 400 sq in above waist) required during modern firearm elk season.