alpine lakes wilderness

Federal & State Regulation/ Management

Management

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is managed by two different national forest, the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the west and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the east.

There are four separate Ranger Districts:

Cle Elum

Leavenworth

Snoqualmie

Skykomish

Even though this area is protected by wilderness act and no vehicles or bicycles are allowed in this area, there is still heavy foot traffic and camping throughout. Because of this heavy foot traffic managing the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is not an easy task.

The Forest Service has taken many steps to mitigated the environmental impacts due to the heavy recreational use.Education and information is the primary method used by the Forest Service in the area. Other things being done to make it easier to maintain the area are; Wilderness Ranger contacts, regulation, permits, restoration efforts, and trail clearing. Permits are required because of the popularity of the Enchantment Lakes area in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Wilderness . These permits must be applied for long before your visit and all are selected at random.

Protection

ALPS website

Alpine Lakes Protection Society

The wilderness was originally designated the Alpine Lakes Limited Area in 1946, the designation didn't offer protection from resource extractions and was exclusively regulated by the United States Forest Service. The region was being extensively used for mining, timber, and fur trapping which lead 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)

A wilderness permit system has been implemented for this wilderness. This is use-limiting permit system with quotas and reservations. Wilderness permit system is implemented to collect information on use levels and patterns and as an education and information tool. 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.

*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.

Recreation

In this wilderness, you can enjoy many recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude and one on one nature time.

Although backcountry camping and campfires are permitted within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, some locations have specific rules and regulations.

Before you plan to visit the Alpine Lakes Wilderness check with the Wenatchee Ranger District in Leavenworth, WA (509) 548-2550 for current conditions and restrictions.

Camping is allowed ONLY AT DESIGNATED CAMPSITES when within 1/2-mile of the following locations:

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, Big Heart Lake, Copper Lake, Lake Dorothy, Little Heart Lake, Malachite Lake, Surprise Lake, and Trout Lake, 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.

Surprise Lake Below Spark Plug Mountain

Ridge Lake

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:
Lower Tuscohatchie Lake, Olallie Lake, Pratt Lake, and Talapus Lake, Lake Dorothy and Trout Lake, Deep Lake, Glacier Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, Rachel Lake, Rebecca Lake, Shovel Lake, Spectacle Lake, and Upper Park Lake, 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.