Wilderness Areas
RELATED LINKS
Enchantment Lakes Permit Information
PACK and SADDLE STOCK:
Weed-free feed requirements
Approximately 40 percent of the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest is designated as Wilderness in eight Wilderness Areas. Here, foot or horse travel is the only method of transportation allowed, and the land is managed in such a way as to preserve its natural, primitive condition. There are no developments or roads in Wilderness
Links to more details of each wilderness below table.
Northern part of Forest
Southern part of Forest
PACK and SADDLE STOCK:
Weed-free feed requirements
Wilderness Areas Permit Information
| Wilderness Area | Maximum Group/ Party Size Limit | Permit Information |
Pasayten
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Groups traveling in the wilderness must have no more then 12 people and no more than 18 head of pack and saddle stock. t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at certain trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Alpine Lakes | 8 total in Enchantments area, 12 total in all other areas of the Wilderness t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Overnight fee permits are required in the Enchantments area of this Wilderness from June 15 to October 15. In all other areas self-issue permits are available at trailheads. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at certain trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Glacier Peak | 12 total t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at certain trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Henry M. Jackson | 12 total t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at certain trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Lake Chelan -Sawtooth | 12 people and 18 head of stock H (See note at bottom of table) |
No Wilderness permits are needed. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Norse Peak | 12 total t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Self-issue permits are available at trailheads. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| William O. Douglas | 12 total t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Self-issue permits are available at trailheads. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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| Goat Rocks | 12 total t H (See note at bottom of table) |
Self-issue permits are available at trailheads. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking vehicles at trailheads accessing this Wilderness area. |
Contact for more information:
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t -- Maximum group size is any combination of people and stock that does not exceed 12 (or 8 in the Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area).
H -- Use only certified processed feed pellets.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is located in the rugged Central Cascades Region of Washington state and is jointly administered by the Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests. It encompasses approximately 394,000 acres accessed by 47 trailheads and 615 miles of trails. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the Wilderness from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass.
The name Alpine Lakes takes its origin from the nearly 700 small mountain lakes nestled like jewels among the high rocky peaks and timbered valleys of the region. Its breathtaking beauty and proximity adjacent to the Seattle metropolitan area makes the Alpine Lakes Wilderness one of the most popular natural areas in the Northwest. Over half of Washington state’s population live within a one-hour drive of the Wilderness. In many places we are “loving the Wilderness to death.” Too many visitors and careless behavior result in campsites stripped of vegetation, trampled meadows, a dizzying network of trails, and a lack of solitude.
With nearly 150,000 visitors each year, many with little understanding of Wilderness ethics, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is hard to manage under the guidelines of the 1964 Wilderness Act. In order to preserve the integrity of the Wilderness it has become necessary to impose restrictions in many areas. BEFORE you plan to visit the Alpine Lakes Wilderness check with the Leavenworth Ranger District on what regulations may apply.
An overnight reservation permit is required from June 15 to October 15 for entry to the unique Enchantments Area of this wilderness. Dogs are not allowed within any of the permit areas. Permits for day-hiking within the reservation area, as well as day use and overnight trips in other areas of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, are available on a self-issue basis at the Leavenworth Ranger Station and trailheads.
Alpine Lakes Enchantments overnight mail-in permit applications are available from the Leavenworth Ranger Station by calling (509) 548-2550 or from this website. Permits are processed beginning March 1. The overnight Wilderness permit price has increased to $3.00 per person per day. Those individuals who purchase an overnight Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit will not need a Trail Park permit to park at Snow Lakes Trailhead, Colchuck/Stuart Trailhead, and Eightmile/Caroline Trailhead for the dates that they are visiting the Wilderness.
Check out the Alpine Lakes Wilderness site for Cle Elum Ranger District
For more information about the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area please contact:
Lake Chelan - Sawtooth Wilderness
Established by the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act, the 145,667 acre Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness drapes over the Sawtooth range that runs southeast from the Cascade Crest and separates the Methow Valley and Lake Chelan. To the north the Wilderness includes Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Methow River. It joins the North Cascades National Park Complex on its west and northwest side, and comes near the Glacier Peak Wilderness to the south. About 40 percent of the Wilderness lies in the Wenatchee Forest and the remainder in the Okanogan National Forest.
This Wilderness is unlike most of the other Wilderness areas in the Cascades as it is a drier, more Rockies-like environment. Visitors to the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness can enjoy incredible scenic vistas, beautiful backcountry hidden lakes, and panoramic views through the open countryside. A major characteristic of the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness is the dissected valleys that terminate in Lake Chelan.
The Diverse mixture of dense forest, lush meadows, alpine slopes, geology, and high country motivates visitors to climb from lowland trailheads through the gorges and forest. It draws backpackers, horsepackers, fishermen, and hunters alike. Trails tend to be steady climbs into high basins and glacial cirques with lakes. The south facing portion of the range has more open, rolling high country that falls off very steeply into the Lake Chelan valley. Many parts of the Wilderness can be visited on a day drip and those areas are often crowded, particularly on weekends. With a little work, visitors can explore quieter, more remote parts of the Wilderness that are just as scenic. Snow often covers much of the area from mid or late October through late June.
Approximately 194 miles of trails traverse the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. The major trailheads are located along the North Cascades Highway (State Highway 20); the Twisp River on the northeast; Cooper Mountain and Grade Creek Roads to the south; and Lake Chelan on the southwest. Trailheads along Lake Chelan can be reached by boat or float plane.
Special restrictions: The Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness has a party size limit of not more than 12 persons and 18 head of pack or saddle stock. Grazing, hitching, tethering, or hobbling any pack or saddle livestock within 200 feet of any meadow, lake, stream, or trail is prohibited. Use only certified weed-free hay or processed grain.
For more information about the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, please contact:
Goat Rocks Wilderness
The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a unique area characterized by high alpine terrain and fantastic scenic views. This 105,633 acre Wilderness is centered around an ancient volcanic cone which dominated the area some two million years ago. Several glaciers originate off these volcanically created rugged peaks, the highest of which is Mt. Curtis Gilbert at 8,184 feet elevation. This geological cluster of rocks and peaks have become known as Goat Rocks because of the bands of Mountain Goats which live there.
Goat Rocks Wilderness is located along the southern Washington Cascade Crest, south of White Pass (Highway 12) and east of the town of Packwood. Mt. Rainier National Park is located northwest of Goat Rocks Wilderness. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs down the crest of the Goat Rocks Wilderness, and the highest point on this trail in Washington State is at Old Snowy Mountain.
Goat Rocks Wilderness was originally designated as a Forest Service “Primitive Area” in 1931. The area was designated as National Forest Wilderness with the passage of the 1964 Wilderness legislation.
Goat Rocks Wilderness features mountainous terrain with elevations between 3,000 and 8,184 feet. Much of this area lies above timberline and provides outstanding alpine scenery. Elk, Mountain goats, marmots, deer, and a variety of birds reside within this Wilderness.
Special restrictions: Shoe Lake and Snow Grass Flats are closed to camping and campfires; camping is available at Hidden Springs (about 1 mile west of Shoe Lake). Trailhead registration is required.
For more information about the Goat Rocks Wilderness please contact:
Glacier Peak Wilderness
The Glacier Peak Wilderness, created by Congress in the 1964 Wilderness Legislation, is located within portions of Chelan, Snohomish, and Skagit Counties in the northern Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The area, 576,900 acres in size, is characterized by heavily forested stream courses, steep-sided valleys, and dramatic glacier crowded peaks. Forest vegetation is comprised of true firs, spruce, and hemlock, as well as stands of pine on its eastern slopes. Various species of wildlife inhabit the area and include deer, elk, bear, mountain goat, cougar, marten, and lynx. The primary fishery is cutthroat trout, however, other species do exist there as well.
At 10,541 feet, Glacier Peak is the dominant geologic feature of the area. It’s also the most remote of the major volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range and has more active glaciers than any other place in the lower forty-eight states. Glacier Peak is a volcanic cone of basalt, pumice, and ash (built on existing mountain ridges) which erupted during periods of heavy glaciation. Some of these were violent—comparable to the well-known Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980.
Glacier Peak Wilderness features very mountainous terrain with elevations between 2,000 and 10,541 feet.
For thousands of years Native Americans traveled through this area to the meadows and peaks of the North Cascades in search of plants and game. The first white man to record seeing Glacier Peak was Daniel Linsley, surveying in 1870 for a possible railroad route for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Mining claims were filed in the Glacier Peak area during the North Cascades “gold rush” of the 1880’s and 1890’s. Except for the Holden Mine, just east of the Wilderness, all that remains of early day mining and trapping activities are abandoned mine shafts, rusting equipment, and a few rotting cabins.
Recreation opportunities, as well as solitude abound with more than 450 miles of trail and many places where one can enjoy cross-country travel. Because of the popularity of the area, there have been some restrictions put in place in order to protect its unique wilderness character.
Special Restrictions: Maximum group size is 12; any combination of people and stock that does not exceed 12. Smaller groups of six or less are recommended.
For more information about the Glacier Peak Wilderness, please contact:
Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
The 103,591-acre Henry M. Jackson Wilderness is located within both the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests and is adjacent to the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The terrain is rugged, with steep slopes and finger ridges dissected by small drainages. This area contains approximately 30 scenic high mountain lakes. Elevations range from 2,350 to 7835 feet, and there are 49 miles of hiking trails.
Approximately 27,242 acres of the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness lie in the Wenatchee National Forest. Wilderness visitors can choose from easy day hikes to mountain lakes or hike the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail north of Steven’s Pass.
The terrain is steep and forested, and the climate is more typically west-side-like with heavy winter snows that melt out slowly. Mountain meadows abound with wildflowers that follow the snowline into the fall months.
Special Restrictions: Maximum group size is 12; any combination of people and stock that does not exceed 12. Smaller groups of six or less are recommended.
For more information about the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area please contact:
Norse Peak Wilderness
Norse Peak Wilderness (managed by the Wenatchee National Forest and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) is characterized by forested slopes and jutting volcanic peaks. The local streams flow through narrow valleys into lower elevation meadows. The topography is characterized by broad open park-like basins at higher elevations. Elevations in this Wilderness range from 3,000 feet to the 6,856-foot Norse Peak. A notable attraction is Fife’s Peak which is a remnant volcanic cone.
The Norse Peak Wilderness is located in the central Washington State Cascade Range north of Chinook Pass (Highway 410) and east of Mt. Rainier National Park. This 50,923 acre wilderness is named for a prominent peak which overlooks Crystal Mountain Ski Area. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs along the Cascade ridge in the Norse Peak Wilderness. The historic Naches Pass Trail runs east and west just outside the north Norse Peak Wilderness boundary.
The Norse Peak area was legislated into Wilderness status in the 1984 Washington State Wilderness bill. This area was heavily grazed by domestic sheep between 1890 and 1950. The area south of Norse Peak Wilderness within Morse Creek drainage was once known as the Summit Mining District and was a popular mineral activity area between 1885 and 1920. The placer mineral content in this area was poor but historic remains of this earlier mining activity is still evident. The Wilderness hosts deer and elk in the basins and meadows, and a herd of goats range over the upper alpine peaks.
Special restrictions: Please camp at least 100 feet from lake shores and the Pacific Crest Trail. Voluntary trailhead registration is requested.
For more information about the Norse Peak Wilderness Area please contact:
William O. Douglas Wilderness
Designated as a Wilderness area in 1984, this 166,000 acre Wilderness is located in the southern Washington Cascade mountain crest between White Pass (Highway 12) and Chinook Pass (Highway 410) and east of Mt. Rainier National Park. The area is jointly managed by the Wenatchee National Forest (152,688 acres) and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (15,469 acres).
While significant portions of the William O. Douglas Wilderness are high elevation forest, the overall topography is varied. The western peaks are characterized by high elevation lakes in a forested setting, and the eastern slopes drop to mid-elevation pine forest, alpine peaks, bare ridges, and exposed basalt tables and points. many trails cross the William O. Douglas Wilderness which ranges in elevation from 3,00 to 7,000 feet.
This area is named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas who was noted for his concern for civil rights and environmental protection issues during his career. Douglas made his home at Goose Prairie, adjacent to the Wilderness near Bumping River. He immortalized this area in his popular book, "Of Men and Mountains."
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which extends from Mexico to Canada, runs along the 27 mile crest of this Wilderness.
Special Restrictions: No campfires are permitted at Dewey Lake. Please camp at least 100 feet from lakes and the Pacific Crest Trail to protect fragile vegetation.
For more information about the William O. Douglas Wilderness area please contact:
