| Wild Sky Wilderness Area/Range |
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| Wild Sky Wilderness   | 
| Page Type: Area/Range Location: Washington, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 47.84623°N / 121.40722°W Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Bouldering, Mixed, Scrambling Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 6240 ft / 1902 m | Page By: Redwic Created/Edited: Sep 6, 2008 / Oct 14, 2008 Object ID: 439890 Hits: 665 Loading... Page Score: 87.94% - 7 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
Wild Sky Wilderness is a 106,577-acre wilderness area located in the Central Cascade Mountains of Washington State. This wilderness area encompasses land surrounding the North Fork Skykomish River and Beckler River drainages of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Road access to the area is via Highway 2 and Forest Roads 63 & 65. Highway 2 is immediately south of the wilderness area. Forest Roads 63 & 65 traverse through the middle of the wilderness area, connecting to each other near the northeast corner of the area.
In 2002, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen introduced a bill to create Wild Sky Wilderness. After much delay and deliberation during the legislative process, President George W. Bush signed the bill on May 8, 2008, officially making Wild Sky Wilderness the first new national forest wilderness area in Washington State in over 20 years. Unlike Washington State's previously designated wilderness areas, which have solely protected old-growth forests at higher elevations, Wild Sky Wilderness protects old-growth forests at lower elevations. Wild Sky Wilderness also protects over 25 miles of salmon streams, as well as land for recreational (i.e. non-developmental) purposes.
Wild Sky Wilderness is represented by six different regions, each with its own unique qualities:
 Eastern Side of Ragged Ridge
Ragged Ridge Region: Located in the western section of Wild Sky Wilderness, north of Index and west of Silver Creek. If heading east, this region is the first part of Wild Sky Wilderness, seen as soon as the city of Gold Bar, and is represented by a chain of mountains connected by a rocky ridgeline. With few trails or logging roads, this region might be the most "wild" of the wilderness area. One of the most popular parts of this region is Lake Isabel, a mile-long lake found in a sub-alpine valley near the top of the west end of Ragged Ridge.
 Townsend Mountain, Merchant Peak, Gunn Peak
Sky Peaks Region: Located in the area surrounded by Highway 2, Forest Road 63, and Forest Road 65. This is the central, and largest, region within Wild Sky Wilderness. This region is represented by tall, rocky peaks and alpine lakes within Douglas fir and cedar forests. The most popular peaks in this region are peaks east/southeast of the city of Index, such as Mount Baring, Merchant Peak, and Gunn Peak (the highest point within Wild Sky Wilderness).
 Chipmunk in Wild Sky Wilderness
Troublesome Creek Region: Located in the northern section of Wild Sky Wilderness, approximately 10 miles northeast of Index, between the Silver Creek and Quartz Creek drainages. Situated in one of the most remote areas of Wild Sky Wilderness, this region is represented by old-growth and second-growth Douglas fir, silver fir, cedar, and hemlock forests. This region is home to rare and/or seldom-seen wildlife such as spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers, and pine marten. The most popular peaks in this region are Scott Peak and Hubbart Peak.
West Cady/ North Fork Region: Located in the northeastern section of Wild Sky Wilderness, between Quartz Creek and Evergreen Mountain. Many of the peaks in this region are filled with Douglas fir forests, heather and huckleberry underbrush, and wildflower meadows. Trails within this area can lead to other popular mountaineering areas outside of Wild Sky Wilderness, such as the Monte Cristo Range and Pacific Crest Trail. The most popular peaks in this region are Excelsior Mountain, Frog Mountain, and West Cady Ridge.
Rapid River Region: Located on the eastern section of Wild Sky Wilderness, between Evergreen Mountain and Johnson Ridge. Many of the peaks in this region are filled with mossy old-growth and second-growth Douglas fir forests and sub-alpine meadows. The most popular peaks in this region are Evergreen Mountain, and Johnson Ridge's Sunrise Mountain and Scorpion Mountain.
 Beckler Peak and Alpine Baldy
Kelly Creek Region: Located on the southeastern section of Wild Sky Wilderness, between Johnson Ridge and Highway 2. Much of this region contains mossy Douglas fir forests and sub-alpine meadows of huckleberries, heather, and other underbrush. This region also contains an alpine wetland area at the Mount Fernow Potholes. The most popular peaks in this region are Mount Fernow, Beckler Peak, and Alpine Baldy.Getting ThereAccess for regions of Wild Sky Wilderness:
Ragged Ridge Region: Highway 2. From Highway 2, head north on Reiter Road (east of Gold Bar).
Sky Peaks Region: Highway 2 (to the south), Forest Road 63 (to the west & north), and Forest Road 65 (to the east).
Troublesome Creek Region: Forest Road 63. From Highway 2, take exit for Index. Follow the Index-Galena Road, which is also Forest Road 63.
West Cady/ North Fork Region: Forest Road 63. From Highway 2, head north on Beckler River Road, which is also Forest Road 65. After approximately 15-17 miles cross over the North Fork Skykomish River. Turn right on Forest Road 63.
Rapid River Region: Forest Road 65. From Highway 2, head north on Beckler River Road, which is also Forest Road 65.
Kelly Creek Region: Forest Road 65. From Highway 2, head north on Beckler River Road, which is also Forest Road 65.Red TapeA Northwest Forest Pass (parking permit) is required if parking at/near trailheads within Wild Sky Wilderness. A Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased at local ranger stations or REI stores; day passes cost $5, annual passes cost $30.
Many established trails within Wild Sky Wilderness require a free registration at trailheads.Recreational UsesHiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, camping, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are all allowed in Wild Sky Wilderness.
Please contact a local ranger station, such as Skykomish Ranger Station, for further details.External LinksNOTE: Most (i.e. the central part) of Wild Sky Wilderness is located in areas shown on Green Trails Map #143. The western side of Wild Sky Wilderness is located in areas shown on Green Trails Map #142. The eastern side of Wild Sky Wilderness is located in areas shown on Green Trails Map #144. Due to the recent creation of this wilderness area, Green Trails Maps do not yet mention "Wild Sky Wilderness" on them.
For more information regarding Wild Sky Wilderness, and its official boundaries, please visit the following links:
Senator Patty Murray's site dedicated to Wild Sky Wilderness (including downloadable map in .PDF format).
Washington Wilderness Coalition's site dedicated to original proposal for Wild Sky Wilderness.
Skykomish Ranger District website. Images
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