The Nespelem tribune. [volume] (Nespelem, Wash.) 1934-1936, 1934-09-26
primitive Area
To Be Preserved
Forest Service Sets Large Block
Of County Land Aside For
Wilderness


Surrounded by well developed
regions containing thousands OF
residents, both in urban and rural
districts, there exists in the north
western portion of the state a
mountain wilderness which rivals
any similar land expanse in the
nation.
A large portion lies in Okanogan
county, practically all of it UNI
traversed except by government sur
veyors and trail builders. Recently
the entire area was definitely
protected" against development by
forest service order setting it
aside as the North Cascade Prim-
tive Area. The following article by
P. T. Harris, supervisor of the
Chelan national forest, gives an
interesting description of the land
which henceforth will be preserved
in its natural state.
Big Land Area
"This area dedicated to wilder
ness conditions by the forest service
on August 20, lies along the Can
adam boundary for a distance of
rs miles. It starts at the national
forest boundary near Loomis and
runs west nearly to Mt. Shukean
in Whatcom county. Here it joins
the Mt. Baker International Area"
which also is primitive except for
the highway and resort develop
ment near Mt. Baker. To the north
similar country extends into Can
ada. To the south is another big
undeveloped area, but traversed by
Methow valley roads and Cascade
Pass highway project.
''The North Pacific primitive area
in itself comprises 801 900 acres,
larger than several eastern states.
1t is reserved from roads, resorts
or other occupancy under special
use permits. improvements such as
trail shelters and lookout houses
will conform with primitive con-
ditions. The forage and timber may
be used as needed, but there is no
prospect of logging operations for
many years. Excluded from the area
is strip about / mile wide along
the Skagit river which is subject
to flooding by the Diablo dam de-
velopment.
Tells Boundary Lines
"The south boundary of the area
starts near Deer creek on ToatS
coulee and runs west passing just
south of Windy Peak, crossing the
Chewack above Basin creek, passing
north of Coleman peak, across
Black lake, around the head of
Eightmile creek, across Lost river
at the forks, and strikes the Cas-
cade summit above Harris Pass;
thence down Canyon and Ruby
creeks and along the north side OF
the Skagit river to Bacon peak
whence it runs north to Canada,
passing just east of Shuksan noun
tain. 1t includes the watersheds of
Cathedral creek, the Ashnola,
Pasayten and Chuchuwanten riv-
ers east of the Cascade summit;
also most of Lost river and parts of
Toats coulee, Andrews, Lake and
Robinson creek. West of the summit
it comprises roughly the country
north of the Skagit river, Ruby and
Canyon creeks, west of Shuksan.
east of the summit is natural
horse country, ideal for pack trips.
Open grassy ranges are cut by
timbered conyons. Deer, goat,
grouse, ptarmigan and trout are
abundant. To the south one en-
counters the impenetrable canyons
of Lost river and the long timbered
valleys of the Pasayten. Trails lead
in all directions, opening hundreds
of miles of easy travel. LOOMS and
Winthrop are the nearest points of
access.
Heavily Timbered
West of the summit one gets
into country of dense timber and
extremely rough mountains. Much
OF it is a challenge to the hardest
mountaineer. Many of the glacier
clad peaks have seldom if ever been
climbed. Trails are few and forage
lacking.
This area, where one may roam
for weeks or months away from
roads, entirely on his own resources,
is outstanding not only for its size
but for it's variety of attractions.
1t will become increasingly so
recognized in future years. It is
difficult to find in all the country
areas of comparable size that can
be dedicated to such purpose; where
roads for protection and develop
ment OF resources, resorts and
similar recreational needs can be
definitely banned.
1.-THE people of Okanogan, What
com and adjoining counties can
feel that they not only have a real
mountain wilderness preserved for
themselves and their children, but
that it will become an asset of more
than local values"
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