They really are not uncommon along our northern border. Favored locations
include Freezeout Ridge Trail on Tiffany Mt. (as noted), Harts Pass
campground and along the West Fork of Pasayten Creek north and downhill from
Slate Peak, and in northern Pend Oreille Co. They are apparently rare in the
Blue Mtns. and anywhere south of Okanogan Co. in the Cascades, but recent
reports indicate they may still occur south to near Mt. Adams. They seem
less common west of the Cascade crest in hemlock-dominated forests. As far
as I know they are known in Oregon only from the Blue-Wallowa Mtns., not the
Cascades. Reports from the Olympic Peninsula have never been satisfactorily
confirmed, to my knowledge. I've had best luck finding them after mid-July
through August when the chicks are out and about. Family groups then may
actually block your passage on trails through their habitat. Curiously, Blue
Grouse typically occur both above and below Spruce Grouse, as the timberline
habitat is dominated by Blues. Spruce like dense spruce and lodgepole, as noted.

Gene Hunn.