Alpine Lakes Wilderness

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Alpine Lakes Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location:	Washington, USA
Nearest city:	Seattle, WA
Coordinates:	47°33′56″N, 121°10′42″W
Area:	394,000 acres (1594 km²)
Established:	1976
Governing body:	United States Forest Service

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area spanning the Cascade Range of Washington state in the United States. The wilderness is approximately bounded by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass to the south and U.S. Route 2 and Stevens Pass to the north. The Alpine Lakes is the largest wilderness area near the population centers of Puget Sound, at approximately 394,000 acres (1600 square km).

Contents 1 Administration 2 Access 3 Trails 4 Ranges and peak groups 4.1 Snoqualmie peaks 4.2 Dutch Miller Gap peaks 4.3 Wenatchee Mountains 4.4 Chiwaukum Mountains 4.5 Stuart Range 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Administration

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is jointly administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wenatchee National Forest. All summer visitors, whether day hiking or camping overnight, must obtain a free, self-issued permit at a ranger station or trailhead. Visitors to the Enchantments, a popular range on the east end of the wilderness area, must obtain a special permit from the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Most trailheads serving the Alpine Lakes require a Northwest Forest Pass.

[edit] Access

The western end of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is accessible via the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River northeast of North Bend, Washington. Snoqualmie Pass provides access to the southwestern end of the wilderness. Salmon La Sac north of Roslyn, Washington is a hub for trailheads and U.S. Forest Service roads providing entry into the southern and central regions. The Stuart Range on the eastern end of the wilderness is accessible by Ingalls Creek on the south and Icicle Creek, near Leavenworth, Washington, on the north. North of Icicle Creek are the Chiwaukum Mountains which stretch northwards to Highway 2. The northern parts of the Alpine Lakes are accessible from Highway 2 and Stevens Pass.

[edit] Trails

A segment of the Pacific Crest Trail leads from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass and includes the Kendall Catwalk on Kendall Peak. This exposed section should not be attempted in snowy or icy conditions.

[edit] Ranges and peak groups

From approximately west to east:

[edit] Snoqualmie peaks

• Chair Peak (6,238 ft)
• Guye Peak
• Kendall Peak
• Lundin Peak
• Red Mountain
• Snoqualmie Mountain (6,278 ft)

[edit] Dutch Miller Gap peaks

• Chikamin Peak (6,960 ft)
• Chimney Rock (7,721 ft)
• Mount Daniel (7,899 ft)
• Lemah Mountain (7,480 ft)

[edit] Wenatchee Mountains

Main article: Wenatchee Mountains

• Cashmere Mountain (8,501 ft)
• Eightmile Mountain (7,996 ft)

[edit] Chiwaukum Mountains

Main article: Chiwaukum Mountains

• Big Chiwaukum (8,081 ft)
• Snowgrass Mountain (7,993 ft)

[edit] Stuart Range

Main article: Stuart Range

• Dragontail Peak (8,840 ft)
• The Enchantments
• Mount Stuart (9,415 ft)

[edit] References

• Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes: Vol 1- Columbia River to Stevens Pass, Mountaineers Books, 2000. ISBN 0-89886-577-8
• Knibb, David Backyard Wilderness, The Mountaineers, 1982. ISBN 0-89886-029-6

[edit] External links

• Wenatchee National Forest permit information
• Alpine Lakes Protection Society (advocacy)