Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

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Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)

Location:	Washington, USA
Nearest city:	Seattle, WA
Coordinates:	47°58′17″N, 121°20′30″W
Area:	102,673 acres (415.5 km²)
Established:	1984
Governing body:	United States Forest Service

The Henry M. Jackson Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in Washington, United States. It was created by the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act and named after former US Senator Henry M. Jackson. It is adjacent to the southwest corner of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. This 102,673 acre (415.5 km²) area is northwest of Stevens Pass on United States Highway 2 and northeast of the town of Skykomish, Washington. While this Wilderness straddles the Cascade Mountain Range, most of it is in the Westside ecotype. The vegetation includes Western Redcedar, Douglas-fir, true firs, Engelmann Spruce, Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock, sub-alpine meadows, and at higher elevations, alpine meadows.

US Forest Service sign along the North Fork Skykomish Trail at the edge of the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area.

The terrain is rugged, with steep slopes, and finger ridges dissected by small intermittent or permanent drainages. Streams in the northern portion of this area drain into the Sauk River, while the southern portion drains into the Skykomish River. Main features of this area include Cady Creek Ridge and Cady Creek. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the southern portion of the Wilderness. The area is rich in mining history with several acres of patented mining claims within its borders.

Cross-Cascade Indian trails paralleled the Little Wenatchee River and provided routes for later exploring parties such as the 1860 E.F. Cady party for whom Cady Pass and Cady Creek were named.

This area contains approximately 30 lakes which receive moderate fishing. One of the most popular of these lakes is Blanca Lake due to its beautiful turquoise green color.