Wonder Mountain Wilderness

Wonder Mountain Wilderness
Wonder Mountain Wilderness
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
Location	Mason County, Washington, USA
Nearest city	Lilliwaup, Washington
Coordinates	47°30′34″N 123°25′35″W / 47.50944°N 123.42639°W
Area	2,349 acres (951 ha)
Established	1984
Governing body	U.S. Forest Service
	Wonder Mountain Wilderness

Wonder Mountain Wilderness is a designated wilderness area encompassing Wonder Mountain in the Olympic National Forest on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington in the United States. The wilderness comprises 2,349 acres (951 ha) bordering Olympic National Park and administered by the U.S. Forest Service.^[1]

Wonder Mountain Wilderness is roughly triangle-shaped. A high ridge encompasses the southern point of the triangle, rising to the peak of 4,848-foot (1,478 m) Wonder Mountain. Below the summit stands a heavy forest of western hemlock, Douglas fir, and silver fir. Alder, willow, and vine maple grow along McKay Creek and Five Stream, both of which have their headwaters in the wilderness. huckleberry and thimbleberry are also common.^[1]^[2]

History

In 1984, the U.S. Congress established five wilderness areas within Olympic National Forest:^[3]

Wonder Mountain Wilderness sits along the southern flank of the Olympic Wilderness, which was created in 1988.

Recreation

There are no trails leading into or through Wonder Mountain Wilderness. Two forest roads that run near the southeast and southwest borders are closed to motor vehicles from October to May to provide protection for wildlife. The southeast road has been permanently closed at the lake Cushman bridge for years about ten miles from the base of wonder mountain. The wilderness starts at the top of the ridge line. This route is not accessible. ^[1]^[2]^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Wonder Mountain Wilderness". Olympic National Forest. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Wonder Mountain Wilderness". Wilderness.net. University of Montana. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
^ "Special Places". Olympic National Forest. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
^ "Recreation Opportunity Guide Olympic National Forest: Wonder Mountain Wilderness" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. May 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2015.