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.