The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the west and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the east. There are four Ranger Districts, Cle Elum, Leavenworth, Snoqualmie, and Skykomish that administer this land. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness area is one of the most popular outdoor
recreational areas in the State of Washington. Although this area has
the wilderness designation and no motorized vehicles such as cars,
motorcycles, or even bicycles can operate in this area, there is heavy
foot traffic and camping throughout. Because of this heavy foot traffic
managing the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area to preserve its integrity is
very challenging. This recreational area's popularity has led to physical, biological and social impacts.
The Forest Service has taken many steps to minimize the environmental impacts due to heavy recreational use.
Education and information is a primary method used by the Forest Service. Other methods include Wilderness Ranger contacts, regulation, permits, restoration efforts, and trail clearing. Due to the popularity of the Enchantment Lakes
area within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Wilderness Permits are
required. These permits must be applied for well in advance of the visit
and are selected at random.
Protection
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| Alpine Lakes Protection Society |
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The wilderness was originally designated the Alpine Lakes Limited Area
in 1946, but this designation did not offer protection from resource
extractions and was exclusively regulated by the United States Forest Service. The region and adjacent areas were being extensively used for mining, timber extraction, and fur trapping leading to roads, clear cuts and ecological degradation. Efforts to further protect the lower valley forests of Alpine Lakes began in the 1950s by the North Cascades Conservation Council formed in 1957 and in October 1968 the Alpine Lakes Protection Society was formed.
Uses (Prohibitions and Permits)
ALL visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness are required to have a
Wilderness Permit from May 15 to October 31. Wilderness permits are free
and can be obtained at trail heads and ranger stations.
A wilderness permit system has been implemented for this wilderness.
This involves a use-limiting permit system with quotas and reservations.
Wilderness permit systems are implemented to collect information on use
levels and patterns and as an education and information tool.
Use-limiting systems are implemented after monitoring has determined
that current use levels are resulting in unacceptable impacts to the
resource and/or to the wilderness recreation experience. These systems
help distribute visitor use throughout the season and help minimize
crowded conditions at popular areas. People interested in visiting the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness should contact the national forest office for more information about this permit system, which may vary by location or time of the year.
*The Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness has special rules
and restrictions. Overnight Wilderness Permits are required in The
Enchantments from June 15-October 15, and an application must be
submitted for each new trip. Permits cost money and have limited
availability. For more information visit the official Forest Service
website for special permit information.
Recreation
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is
generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This
includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing
of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific
legislation.
Activities permitted: Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Bouldering, Mixed, Scrambling
Although backcountry camping and campfires are permitted within the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, some locations have specific rules and
regulations.
Camping is allowed ONLY AT DESIGNATED CAMPSITES when within 1/2-mile of the following locations:
From North Bend/ I-90: Gem Lake, Gravel Lake, Island Lake, Lower
Tuscohatchie Lake, Mason Lake, Melakwa Lake, Olallie Lake, Pratt Lake,
Rainbow Lake, Snow Lake, Talapus Lake, and Williams Lake.
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| Olallie Lake |
From Skykomish/ Highway 2: Big Heart Lake, Copper Lake, Lake Dorothy, Little Heart Lake, Malachite Lake, Surprise Lake, and Trout Lake.
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| Surprise Lake Below Spark Plug Mountain |
From Cle-Elum/ Highway 903: Ridge Lake.
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| Ridge Lake |
From Wenatchee River/ Highways 2 & 97: Caroline Lake, Chain
Lakes, Colchuck Lake, Doelle Lakes, Headlight Basin, Ingalls Lake, Lake
Mary, Little Caroline Lake, Nada Lake, Snow Lakes, and Upper Lake
Florence.
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| Cashmere Mountain Reflecting On Colchuck Lake |
Campfires also have special rules and restrictions:
No campfires are permitted above 4000' elevation in the Mount
Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. No campfires are permitted above 5000'
elevation in the Wenatchee National Forest.
No campfires are permitted within 1/2-mile of the following locations:
From North Bend/ I-90: Lower Tuscohatchie Lake, Olallie Lake, Pratt Lake, and Talapus Lake.
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| Talapus Lake |
From Skykomish/ Highway 2: Lake Dorothy and Trout Lake.
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| Trout Lake |
From Cle-Elum/ Highways 903 & 970: Deep Lake, Glacier Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, Rachel Lake, Rebecca Lake, Shovel Lake, Spectacle Lake, and Upper Park Lake.
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| Glacier Lake |
From Wenatchee River/ Highways 2 & 97: Eightmile Lake, Hope
Lake, Josephine Lake, Leland Lake, Little Eightmile Lake, Mig Lake, Nada
Lake, Swimming Deer Lake, Square Lake, Trout Lake, Lake Wolverine, Lake
Susan Jane, and the junction of the French Creek & Icicle Creek
Trails.
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| Eight Mile Lake |
