GMU 516 - Packwood, Washington

Rugged, mountainous Cascade Range terrain ranging from ~1,000 ft at Riffe Lake in the west to alpine peaks above 7,200 ft on the eastern boundary. Packwood Glacier sits at the eastern Cascade crest. The unit features steep-sided river valleys (Cowlitz, Cispus), old-growth and second-growth Douglas-fir, western red cedar, grand fir, and ponderosa pine on lower slopes giving way to subalpine fir and open rocky ridgelines at elevation. Approximately 20% of the unit is designated Wilderness (Goat Rocks Wilderness area). Dense vegetation and steep slopes make foot travel demanding.

Primary access via State Route 12 along the northern boundary, USFS Road 20 (Cispus Road corridor running west-east through southern unit), and USFS Road 24. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the eastern edge through Goat Rocks Wilderness. Several USFS roads dissect the western half of the unit; the eastern backcountry is largely roadless. No Wilderness Area motorized access. The unit is almost entirely U.S. Forest Service land; a narrow corridor of private land runs along SR-12 near the town of Packwood. Vehicle access can be restricted Aug-Oct during high fire danger.

Old-growth and mature second-growth conifer forest dominates: Douglas-fir and western red cedar in mid-elevations, grand fir and ponderosa pine on drier aspects, subalpine fir and mountain hemlock near treeline. Understory includes vine maple, alder along riparian corridors, huckleberry, salal, and sword fern. Clearcuts and younger regenerating stands are rare given the near-100% USFS ownership and Wilderness designation for 20% of the unit. Limited agricultural openings near SR-12 provide edge habitat. Alpine meadows and talus slopes exist near the Cascade crest.

Elk in GMU 516 are part of the South Rainier elk herd, a mixed-origin population combining native Roosevelt elk and introduced Rocky Mountain elk genetics. Elk numbers in this herd area remain below historic highs observed in the mid-2000s, influenced by several harsh winters (particularly 2016-17) and the prevalence of Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease (TAHD). Elk tend to use lower river valley corridors during early season, moving to high alpine basins in late summer, then descending under hunting pressure and weather. Deer occupy small home ranges in thick cover; movement increases at rut overlap with late general season (early Nov). Black bear are present throughout, peaking in huckleberry and berry patches in late summer. Cougar follow deer and elk throughout the unit.

GMU 516 is among the most remote and wild units in WDFW Region 5. The Goat Rocks Wilderness (~20% of unit) prohibits motorized and mechanized access. Elk Area 5066 in the easternmost portion of the unit is closed to general season elk hunting; some permit-only hunting is allowed there. Hunt 2030 (Packwood Quality Bull) is a limited-entry special permit hunt offering 3 permits with Sep 28-Oct 2 dates and any-bull status; competition is significant (294 applications, ~8 avg points in 2025). TAHD (hoof disease) is common in District 10 elk; hunters are encouraged to harvest limping elk and submit hooves at WDFW collection sites. Black bear are in the Mount St. Helens BBMU for this unit: season Aug 1-Nov 15, bag limit 2 per license year. 2025 late buck deer season runs Nov 13-16. Muzzleloader deer season requires any buck (antlered); archery and general firearm deer are any deer.