The Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington, United States. It was created by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 and encompasses 177423 acre in the Umatilla National Forest — 66375 acre in Oregon and 111048 acre in Washington.

Topography

The Wehana–Tucannon Wilderness consists primarily of rugged basaltic ridges separated by deep canyons with steep slopes. The area's precipitation drains south into the Wenaha River, east to the Grande Ronde River and Asotin Creek, and north into the Tucannon River, each part of the Snake River watershed. To the west drainages are the Touchet River and Mill Creek, both leading to the Walla Walla River, and the Umatilla River, a direct tributary of the Columbia River. The Wilderness ranges in elevation from 2000 ft on the Wild and Scenic Wenaha River to 6401 ft atop Oregon Butte at 46.1105°N, 117.6797°W in Washington.

Vegetation

Ponderosa pine dominates the lower drainages of the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness. Above about 4500 ft, it transitions to a forest of lodgepole pine with some species of larch, fir, and spruce as well. Subalpine fir, native grasses, and forbs are found at the highest elevations of the wilderness.

Wildlife

The Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife, including Shiras moose, Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, cougar, grey wolf, coyote, snowshoe hare, rattlesnake, and pine marten. Both the Tucannon and Wenaha Rivers provide spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

Recreation

Popular recreational activities in the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness include camping, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and hiking the area's 200 mi of trails. Elk hunting and fishing are also popular pastimes in the wilderness.

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