Washington had lost all of its bighorn sheep -- as did many states -- by the early 1900's. Finally, they were reintroduced and protected. Between 150 to 200 now live on Clemon Mountain, part of the Washington Cascades. Each winter they come down to the Oak Creek Wildlife Area near Naches (on the Eastern side of the Cascades). Grasses and hay are put out for them each morning around 9:00. If you get there around 7:30 or so you can watch as small bands of 7 to 10 appear on the top of the mountain and start the long trek down. It might take them an hour or so but they end up waiting -- a hundred or so yards away -- for the hay to arrive. There is a parking lot for 15 cars or so, and then a fence to keep people from getting too close. This ram, though, came walking up to the fence where I was. Hence the eye contact. The sheep are around for an hour or so, then start back up and over the mountain, each band following the route they came down. Wonderful sight. And, wonderful way to see these magnificent animals in the wild.
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