| The Wentachee National Forest covers approximately 2.2 million acres. It stretches from upper Lake Chelan on the north to the Yakama Indian Reservation on the south.The vegetation varies with the elevation, from the sagebrush and pine covered slopes at 2,000 feet, to higher elevation areas with alpine fir and mountain huckleberry, to the crest of the Cascade Mountain range at 8,000 feet and above where vegetation is sparse. Approximately 40 percent of the Wentachee is designated as Wilderness in seven Wilderness Areas: Lake Chelan-Sawtooth, Glacier Peak, Henry M. Jackson, Alpine Lakes, William O. Douglas, Norse Peak, and Goat Rocks. Here, foot travel is the only method of transportation allowed, and the land is managed in such a way as to preserve its natural, primitive condition. There are no developments or roads in Wilderness Areas.The Wentachee offers many recreation opportunities. Wentachee National Forest campgrounds meet a variety of camping needs. Over 100 campgrounds and picnic sites provide room for a total of 13,000 people at any one time. There are approximately 5,000 miles of forest roads. In the winter, snow-covered roads are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Trail users will find about 2,500 miles of recreation trails available for hiking, horse use, trail biking, and mountain pedal bike use. The winter months also bring opportunities for cross-country ski trips along developed, signed trail systems. |
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