GMU 426 - Diablo, Washington

Extremely rugged and steep; 80% of the unit has slopes at or exceeding 40 degrees. Elevation ranges from roughly 400 ft along the Skagit River lowlands to 7,412 ft at Ruby Mountain near the unit center. The landscape is a classic North Cascades profile: glacially carved valleys, dense old-growth and second-growth conifer forest, talus fields, and alpine meadows above 5,500 ft. Diablo Lake and Ross Lake (formed by Skagit River hydroelectric dams) define much of the lower unit geography. The unit has an irregular star shape following major drainages rather than ridge lines.

100% public land. Approximately 66% lies within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area (RLNRA), where hunting is permitted. The remainder includes Washington DNR and USFS Okanogan-Wenatchee NF on the eastern fringe. Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) bisects the southern portion and provides the only paved vehicle access. The East Bank Trailhead off Hwy 20 near Ross Dam gives foot access along Ross Lake. McAllister Creek and Thunder Creek drainages are accessible from Hwy 20 near Newhalem and Colonial Creek Campground. The Silver Skagit Road (43-mile gravel) from Hope BC provides northern access near the Canadian border. Baker River Road near Concrete accesses the western Thunder Creek boundary. Most productive deer and bear habitat is roadless backcountry.

Lower elevations (400-2,500 ft): dense western red cedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir along river bottoms — thickest cover and prime black-tailed deer habitat. Mid-elevation (2,500-5,000 ft): mixed fir and subalpine fir with brushy huckleberry and blueberry understories — prime bear habitat late summer. Upper elevation (5,000-7,400 ft): subalpine parkland, talus, and permanent snowfields. Cover is uniformly dense given the largely protected land status with minimal clear-cut history.

Black-tailed deer follow classic North Cascades vertical migration: high ridgeline and alpine meadow use in summer, dropping to mid-elevation benches and south-facing slopes as snow accumulates in October-November. The rut runs late October through late December. Elk numbers are sparse; Roosevelt/hybrid elk are present but harvest is minimal. Black bears concentrate on berry patches at upper elevations August-September, then shift lower to riparian areas in October pre-den.

Hunting is NOT permitted inside the North Cascades National Park proper — only within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Hunters must carry GPS and know RLNRA boundaries; small private inholdings exist at the eastern tip near Hwy 20. Bear identification test (WDFW online, 80%+) is required to hunt black bear in GMU 426. Bear bag limit is 2/year. Bait and hounds are prohibited statewide for bear. Deer populations show declining trends per District 14 biologist observations; no formal population surveys have been conducted. This is a low-pressure, low-harvest unit suited to experienced backcountry hunters.