Groups Encourage Thoughtful Approach Around Access Issues in the Enchantments

Recently there has been a push to institute day use permits in the Enchantments, located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and one of the most popular destinations for hiking in Washington State. Overnight permits are already required for trips in the area to mitigate recreational and ecological impacts to the fragile alpine environment.

Photo Courtesy of Andy Porter Photography

Washington Wild joined 7 other conservation and recreation organizations on a letter to the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest to encourage a thoughtful approach . The letter encouraged the Forest Service to include multiple and varied stakeholders in the process and to thoroughly consider all solutions to increasing recreation use and impacts before proceeding further with this proposal. As this issue is one that Washingtonians are very passionate about, the letter pointed out that recreational users and conservation interests should be included in a transparent and inclusive process.

Not only do hundreds of residents in the Upper Wenatchee Valley hike and climb in the Enchantments, but thousands of people travel from around the state, country and world to experience the high-quality hiking, climbing, and mountaineering opportunities which exist in one of the most stunning alpine landscapes of the state.

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the most popular National Forest wilderness areas in the country. Furthermore, the Enchantment Lakes Basin and surrounding area is one of the most treasured areas in the Alpine Lakes, renowned for its rugged beauty, enchanting lakes, and breadth of recreational opportunities. This is an area where management decisions should be inclusive of the varied user-groups who value this unique landscape and allow them to provide input to decisions regarding recreational access and conservation.