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Noisy Creek flows north through this Wilderness and Diobsud Creek drifts south, both bolstering a foot-entangling understory of ferns, mosses, salal, elderberry, and salmonberry, mixed with nasty devil's club along the banks. Staggeringly steep ridges rise abruptly to the northeast and southwest of the creeks, topping out at 6,234 feet on Mount Watson, which anchors the center of the area. The Wilderness shares the border of the southwest corner of North Cascades National Park, just south of Baker Lake. Deep drainages carve its forested slopes, the lower portions of which consist of old-growth fir, cedar, and hemlock. Black-tailed deer, black bears, elk, and northern spotted owls all seek refuge in the dense, shadowy forest. Some alpine meadows open the ridge tops. Annual precipitation reaches 150 inches. National forestland--roadless, primitive, and undesignated--surrounds the Wilderness to the east, west, and south. The only trail access to this wilderness is by the Anderson/Watson Lakes Trail, a wonderful 2.3 mile hike to high alpine lakes. Near the wilderness boundary, the Anderson Lakes Trail leads to a small cluster of lakes outside the wilderness. The Watson Lakes Trail continues on into wilderness and ends at Watson Lakes. Both groups of lakes offer spectacular views of local peaks and are notoriously buggy in summer.
Maps
Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.
Online Maps
Printed Maps
Rules & Regulations
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited in all wilderness areas.
This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.
Wilderness-Specific Regulations
Learn more about
why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.
Applicable Wilderness Law(s)
Date: July 3, 1984
Acreage: 14,300 acres
Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 - Public law 98-339 (7/3/1984) To designate certain National Forest System lands in the State of Washington for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.
For more information (To download or see all affected Wilderness areas) visit our law library for 98-339 or special provisions for 98-339 or legislative history for 98-339 for this law.
Want to Volunteer for Wilderness?
Citizens who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities.