We have finalized our 2010 schedule of hikes into the areas we are proposing for wilderness protection. The main purpose of the hikes is to treat as many people as possible to a close and personal look at what is at stake in wilderness protection, while spending a great day tromping around in one of the most spectacular environments on earth. You can view the hiking schedule online and/or download a printable version.
The recent momentous political changes in The Other Washington widen the possibiilty of increased wilderness protection on federal lands. There are two new groups, Cascades Wild and American Alps, working on fairly large-scale proposals that could include all or parts of the lands that Mount Baker Wild has identified for protection. MBW is supporting, assisting and being assisted by both of these groups, because we just want these lands protected and don't care so much about how it gets done or by whom.
About a year ago, Mount Baker Wild joined with other wilderness lovers to start a concerted effort to advocate for additions to National Forest wilderness areas on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains between I-90 and the Canadian border. Mount Baker Wild's proposal covers the area between the Skagit River and the Canadian Border, while The Alpine Lakes Protection Society is looking for additions to the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the area east of Seattle and Friends of Seven Rivers is working on the headwaters of rivers such as the Sauk, Suiattle and White Chuck, south of the Skagit River and north of US Highway 2.
American Alps is working on a proposal that would increase wilderness protection in the North Cascades. It would combine additions to existing National Forest wilderness areas with adjustments to the boundaries of the North Cascades National Park on both sides of the Cascades crest to bring them more in line with ecological realities. For instance, there is an odd rectangular bump on the western side of the Park that takes in Mount Shuksan but leaves out some precious headwaters and trails on its slopes. Since the Mount Baker and Noisy-Diobsud Wildernesses butt directly up against the Park in many places, many of the areas identified for protection by Mount Baker Wild could reasonably be included in either jurisdiction.
Other Wilderness News
The Wild Sky Wilderness proposal has finally become law and legislators are currently working an addition to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Read all about it in area newspapers:
- Seattle Times: More land sought for Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- Seattle PI: Murray, Reichert team up for wilderness bill
- Joel Connelly in the PI: Strange Bedfellows
The Wilderness Society has recently begun to focus its attention on Mount Baker and the North Cascades. Here are some recent articles focusing on our area: