Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Recreational Activities

Home : Recreational Activities : Activities : Special Places : Wilderness : Alpine Lake Wilderness

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is located in the rugged Central Cascades region of Washington state and is jointly administered by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forest.

Alpine Lakes was created when Congress passed the 1976 Alpine Lakes Wilderness Act to protect the area in it's unique natural state. It encompasses approximately 394,000 acres accessed by 47 trailheads and 615 miles of trail.

The name Alpine Lakes takes its origin from the nearly 700 small mountain lakes nestled like jewels among the high rock peaks and timbered valleys of the region. Its breathtaking beauty and proximity to the Seattle metropolitan area makes the Alpine Lakes 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 reduced levels of solitude.

With nearly 150,000 visitors each year, many with little understanding of wilderness ethics, the Alpine Lakes 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 check on what regulations may apply.

PERMITS

All visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from May 15 to October 31 need a permit. Day-use visitors may obtain a free, self-issue permit at ranger stations and trailheads. A copy of the permit is carried with you and a portion is deposited in the box at the trailhead.

Overnight visitors can obtain a free, self-issue permit in the same fashion as above, except for visitors who plan to go to the Enchantment Lakes in the Wenatchee National Forest.

Enchantment Permit Changes for 2009 Season [August 7, 2008]
The Wenatchee River Ranger District announced today a fee increase for overnight camping in the Enchantment area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, beginning in 2009. The Enchantment Permit Area is comprised of five zones that encompass Snow, Colchuck, Stuart, Eightmile, and Caroline Lakes and the trails leading to them. Fees for the 2009 season will be $5 per-person, per-day. The permit season runs from June 15 to October 15. There are no changes to the self-issuing day-use permits. Read full news release »

WILDERNESS REGULATIONS

The goal of wilderness management is to manage human use and influences so as not to alter natural processes; it is not to mold nature to suit people. Visitors can help by carefully planning for their visit to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and by following the regulations.

USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 13 August 2008 at 11:24:07 EDT