Wild Sky Wilderness

Proposed Area

Map of the Proposed Area

To permanently protect this unique wild landscape, six key areas have been identified for designation as Wilderness:

Sky Peaks - East of Index, North of Highway 2; surrounded by Highway 2 and FS Roads 63 and 65.

As the heart of the Wild Sky area, Sky Peaks is host to amazing stands of ancient Douglas Fir and cedar trees, towering peaks, spectacular alpine lakes, and braided streams and creeks that feed into the North Fork Skykomish and Beckler Rivers. Lower-elevation areas logged in the early 1900s have now regrown into beautiful mature forests adjoining old growth forests on the higher slopes. Scenic Eagle Lake, reached by a popular but unmaintained boot path, features stands of ancient Alaska cedar trees and an alpine wetlands complex. Hikers also enjoy the long-abandoned roadbed up Trout Creek and climbers find the sky-piercing crags of Mt. Baring, Gunn Peak and Merchant Peak irresistible for their rock faces, grand vistas and rugged remote character.

Ragged Ridge - North of Index and Highway 2; west of Silver Creek.

Ragged Ridge lives up to its name with a 500-foot jagged rock spine running through the center of the area. This steep ridge is the first set of real mountains seen by travelers eastbound on Highway 2 past Gold Bar, with great gray cliffs and high plateaus emerging from a rolling forested landscape. West of the Ridge, tucked deep in the valley is spectacular mile-long Lake Isabel. At the lake's south end of the lake lies a stunning waterfall that cascades into the remote drainage of the Wallace River. Several steep creek basins feed late-season snowmelt to the North Fork Skykomish River below, and the lower reaching streams are important habitat for runs of wild chinook, coho, and pink salmon, as well as steelhead trout.

Troublesome Creek - Ten miles northeast of Index; between Silver Creek and Quartz Creek.

Wrapping around the southern flank of the Monte Cristo Range, above the North Fork Skykomish River and the North Fork Road, the slopes along Troublesome and Silver Creeks are clad with large swaths of pristine ancient forest. This block of roadless country abuts the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area and is home to spotted owls, pine martin, pileated woodpeckers and other wildlife dependant on the ancient Douglas Fir, hemlock, cedar and Silver fir trees. Hikers and anglers can enjoy the spectacular view and the one-of-a-kind recreation opportunities.

West Cady/North Fork - North of Skykomish; between Quartz Creek and Evergreen Mountain.

From the 5000-foot ridge-top of Evergreen Mountain, with spectacular views of Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier and the Monte Cristo Range, to the 700-year-old Douglas fir trees that blanket the valley below, the West Cady/North Fork area is a showcase of everything the Wild Sky region has to offer. Starting in the valley, outdoor enthusiasts can explore the ancient stands of trees as they crisscross the North Fork Skykomish River as it booms through a rocky canyon. Making their way up to subalpine ridges, hikers will find ridges of heather, stunted evergreen trees and vast flower meadows. Backpackers and horse packers can enjoy the series of scenic loops formed by the North Fork Skykomish and West Cady Ridge Trails, together with the Quartz Creek and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. This area provides important linkage of protected lowland forest along the Cascade Crest and provides habitat for spotted owls and black bears.

Rapid River - North of Skykomish; between Evergreen Mountain and Johnson Ridge.

This popular gateway to the Cascade Crest offers stunning views from the historic Evergreen Mountain Lookout. Much of the Rapid River Valley is a lush, green, mossy reminder of how most of Washington's forests looked over a century ago. Bringing Wilderness protection down to the road near Meadow Creek preserves "outstandingly remarkable" values the Forest Service has identified in this area for recreation, fisheries and wildlife. Hikers enjoy access to the popular trails to Scorpion Mountain and various lakes near the Cascade Crest. Wintering bald eagles are known to forage along the Rapid River, and the lower slopes are wintering range for mountain goats.

Kelly Creek - Northeast of Skykomish; between Johnson Ridge and Highway 2.

This incredibly diverse area features ancient forests in the Johnson and Martin Creek valleys, towering alpine massifs such as Mt. Fernow, Alpine Baldy and Beckler Peak, and an unusual wetlands complex found at the Mt. Fernow Potholes. Nestled among the peaks, Jakes Lake, Embro Lake and many smaller lakes provide an ideal spot for that weekend getaway. Often blanketed in wild flowers, Johnson Ridge has one the better sub-alpine meadow walks easily accessible from the metropolis of Puget Sound.