Clearwater Wilderness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Clearwater Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area) | |
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| Location: | Washington, USA |
| Nearest city: | Buckley, WA |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 14,192 acres (57.44 km²) |
| Established: | 1984 |
| Governing body: | U.S. Forest Service |
Clearwater Wilderness, a small 14,300 acre wilderness created by Congress in the 1984 under the 1964 Wilderness Act establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in northeast Pierce County, southeast of Tacoma in the South Cascade Range in Washington, US. It's southern border is Mount Rainier National Park and it affords many spectaular views of Mount Rainier.[1]
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[edit] Description
Bearhead Mountain, the highest peak, is 6,089 feet high. Below are the headwaters of the north-flowing Clearwater River. Old-growth forests of Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar, reachable by hiking trails, are nourished by many streams and eight small lakes, including Summit Lake. Forest understorey is made up mostly of ferns and moss. The rainy season between October and May receives 90 percent of the annual rainfall, which can be as much as 25 feet, while snow can remain as late as July in high areas.[2]
Cascades wildlife typically includes bears, deer, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, marmots, and a few herds of elk.
[edit] Trails
- Summit Lake trail is an easy 2.5 mile hike (5 mile round trip) up 1500 feet to a beautiful, blue Summit Lake where to the south there are wonderful views of Mount Rainier.[3]
- Clearwater Trail is an 6 mile 2000 foot descent to the peaceful Clearwater River. The trail continues to Lily Creek and climbs to a small lake, Cedar Lake, ringed by forests.[4]
- Summit Lake and Bearhead Mountain trail is a moderate 9 mile hike 2000 feet up to the highest point in the wilderness area, offering wonderful views of Mount Rainier from a meadow filled with wildflowers.[5]
- Carbon Trail meanders south for 9.4 miles to join the Summit Lake Trail.
The National Wilderness Preservation System website provides a list of things to consider when planning a trip to a wilderness.[6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Clearwater Wilderness. Nature of the Northwest. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Clearwater Wilderness. National Wilderness Preservation System. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Summit Lake. Hiker Bob Trail Guides. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Clearwater River. Hiker Bob Trail Guides. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Summit Lake and Bearhead Mountain. Hiker Bob Trail Guides. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Wilderness. The National Wilderness Preservation System. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
