Land Permanently Protected in Washington
State’s Wild Sky
In late June 2005, the Trust transferred a 200
acre property—located within the boundaries of the proposed
Wild Sky Wilderness—to the Forest Service. This project
assists the effort to protect the Wild Sky as Wilderness,
because it simplifies land ownership patterns and helps the
Forest Service manage the area for its wild characteristics.
Troublesome Creek Drainage
The Troublesome Lode was purchased by The Wilderness
Land Trust in February 2004, using a grant from the Catto
Charitable Foundation. It is the only private land in the
portion of the Troublesome Creek drainage included in the
Wild Sky Wilderness proposal. The Forest Service purchased
the property with Land and Water Conservation funds to protect
watershed, wildlife and fisheries and to provide for recreation
opportunities such as rock climbing, hiking and camping.
The Wild Sky Wilderness Act (S.152/H.R. 851)
was reintroduced in early 2005 by Representatives Larsen and
Inslee and Senators Murray and Cantwell. This measure was
passed by the Senate in two previous Congresses. The bill
would protect 106,000 acres of rugged peaks, alpine meadows,
salmon streams and old-growth forests in the Snoqualmie-Mt.
Baker National Forest near the scenic town of Index, off Highway
2. The Trust was asked by the Wild Washington Campaign, an
alliance of conservationists, recreation groups and local
businesses advocating for the Wild Sky Wilderness, to assist
with the issue of inholdings in the Wild Sky several years
ago. The Trust is working to acquire more than 800 additional
acres of inholdings in the Wild Sky.
