Alpine Lakes
- Congressman Dave Reichert and supporters of Pratt River area additions to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River valley has drawn hikers from the Puget Sound region for decades. From its wild rivers offering unparalleled whitewater kayaking, to the lush forests threaded with hiking trails, and soaring walls beckoning rock climbers, this valley offers a wealth of recreation opportunities.
For many years, it was also home to a much more sinister form of “recreation.” Streambeds and the forest floor were strewn with garbage and abandoned cars from illegal dumping and heaps of shotgun shells from recreational shooters. Out-of-control cross country use of by vehicles tore up sensitive riparian landscapes. And meth labs flourished deep in the forest. Much of that has changed in the past several years, as recreation and conservation organizations have turned their attention to preserving this lovely backyard wilderness.
Wilderness Designation Proposed
In 2007, Congressman Reichert signaled his commitment to pass legislation that would add the Pratt River Valley and Middle Fork to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. At that time WTA joined with the Sierra Club, The Mountaineers, Middle Fork Outdoor Recreation Coalition, The Wilderness Society, Alpine Lakes Protection Society, and Washington Wilderness Coalition to help preserve these wild areas. As with most wilderness proposals this process has been slow going.
In March 2010 an important step in moving this process forward was made. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769) was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure would protect an additional 22,000 acres of wilderness adjoining the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and would add 10 miles of the Pratt River and nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River to the National Wild and Scenic River System. Now the legislation moves over to the Senate where it must be approved and then signed by the President before this important area can fully protected.
How You Can Help
- Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell thank them for supporting this wilderness designation and encourage them to move this bill (S 721) quickly through the Senate.
- To stay up-to-date on this and other wild land protections join the Trail Action Network to receive email updates and calls to action on issues that hikers care about. Also, read our Signpost Blog post from November 13, 2007.
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