Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Blanca Lake
Map showing the location of Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Map showing the location of Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
LocationSnohomish / Chelan / King counties, Washington, USA
Nearest citySeattle, WA
Coordinates47°58′17″N 121°20′30″W / 47.97139°N 121.34167°W / 47.97139; -121.34167
Area103,297 acres (418.03 km2)
Established1984
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
Minotaur Lake, 5,550 feet (1,690 m)

The Henry M. Jackson Wilderness is a 103,297-acre (41,803 ha) designated wilderness area in the state of Washington, United States.[1][2] The area lies adjacent to the southwest corner of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, northwest of Stevens Pass on U.S. Highway 2 and northeast of the town of Skykomish, Washington. Wild Sky Wilderness is located immediately southwest of the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. While the wilderness straddles the Cascade Mountain Range, most of it is in the westside ecotype.[3] The wilderness lies in parts of Snoqualmie, Mount Baker, and Wenatchee national forests.

History

The Henry M. Jackson Wilderness was created by the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act and named after former U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson of Washington. Senator Jackson was instrumental in the designation of many of the state's wildernesses, and this "forest" of fabled peaks recalls his efforts.[4]

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. The area is rich in mining history with several acres of patented mining claims within its borders.[3]

Geographic features

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 Skykomish Peak, Cady Creek Ridge and Cady Creek, as well as the Beckler River's tributary the Rapid River, the true source of the South Fork Skykomish River.[3] The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the southern portion of the wilderness.[3]

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds down the high heart of the area for about 32 miles. Other trails snake up from the east and west to join the PCT. The Blanca Lake Trail leads 3.5 miles to Blanca Lake, and five short pathways approach the center of the northwest section and fade to bushwhacking terrain.

The wilderness area contains approximately 30 lakes which receive moderate fishing.[3] One of the most popular of these lakes is Blanca Lake due to its beautiful turquoise green color.

Flora and fauna

Main article: Ecology of the North Cascades

A tall forest covers the lower elevations, then thins out and changes in species to eventually open into broad meadows on many ridge tops. The vegetation includes western redcedar, Douglas fir, true firs, Engelmann spruce, western hemlock, mountain hemlock, sub-alpine meadows, and at higher elevations, alpine meadows.[3]

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the U.S. Forest Service.

  1. ^ "Henry M. Jackson Wilderness". Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Henry M. Jackson Wilderness". Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area". Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on April 19, 2005. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  4. ^ "Henry M. Jackson Wilderness". Wilderness.net. University of Montana. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
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