Conservation, Recreation Groups Support Repair of Key Access Road to Wild Sky Country

After 10 years, Snohomish County Public Works released for public comment a long awaited Environmental Assessment to repair the popular Index-Galena Road. This paved route served as the primary access point to dozens of trailheads, campgrounds and whitewater access points along the North Fork Skykomish River before it was severely damaged by flooding in 2006. The road has limited access to the recently designated Wild Sky Wilderness (2008).

Washington Wild coordinated a joint comment letter to the Snohomish County Department of Public Works signed by 15 conservation and recreation groups supporting repairs to the Index-Galena Road. This road is the main point of access for many low-elevation, multi-season recreational opportunities along the popular North Fork Skykomish River. It provides drive-in access to popular family destinations, popular launch sites for world-class whitewater paddling  opportunities, as well as incredible hiking, equestrian, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and climbing trails in the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas. Recreational destinations accessed by the Index-Galena road include the Troublesome Crek and San Juan campgrounds, Blanc Lake Trail, West Cady Ridge Trail, Curry Gap Trail, Quartz Creek Trail and whitewater runs on the North Fork SAkykomish River and Silver Creek.

Washington Wild worked to protect the Wild Sky Wilderness, which permanently protected 106,000 acres of roadless national forest land as Wilderness in 2008. Washington Wild still works to preserve and enhance recreational opportunities in the area so the current and future generations can enjoy the spectacular nature encompassed in the Wild Sky Wilderness.

Read the joint comment letter here

For more background visit the Snohomish County website.