The Journal of the North Cascades Conservation Council Spring 2011

The Wild Cascades The Journal of the North Cascades Conservation Council spring 2011

visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  1 The North Cascades Conservation Council was THE WILD CASCADES  Spring 2011 formed in 1957 “To protect and preserve the North Cascades’ scenic, In This Issue scientific, recreational, educational, and wilderness values.” Continuing this mission, NCCC keeps government 3 President’s Report — Marc Bardsley officials, environmental organizations, 4 it's in the air — John S. Edwards and the general public informed about 5 Celebrating crumbling roads in the backcountry — Robert Kendall issues affecting the Greater North 7 swamp Mountain: Perspectives on the Skagit river, source of North- Cascades Ecosystem. Action is pursued west life, livelihood and quality of life — Tom Hammond through legislative, legal, and public participation channels to protect the 9 Massive overbuilding threatens North Fork Sky road — Rick Mcguire lands, waters, plants and wildlife. 10 american Alps Challenge, September 24 Over the past half century the NCCC 12 a brief history of the Wild Cascades: A call to action — Tom has led or participated in campaigns Hammond to create the North Cascades National Park Complex, Glacier Peak Wilder- 14 in memoriam: Conway Leovy ness, and other units of the National 15 NCCC joins intervention against Black Canyon hydro proposal — Wilderness System from the W.O. Rick McGuire Douglas Wilderness north to the 16 The Suiattle lawsuit: why it happened, what is at stake, and what Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Henry M. comes next — Kevin Geraghty Jackson Wilderness, the Chelan-Saw- 17 Grizzly bear sighting confirmed in the North Cascades last fall — tooth Wilderness, the Wild Sky Wil- Mark Yuasa, The Seattle Times derness and others. Among its most 18 Books and video available dramatic victories has been working with British Columbia allies to block 19 You’re invited! NCCC membership event, Dec. 9 the raising of Ross Dam, which would NCCC membership application have drowned Big Beaver Valley.

The NCCC is supported by member COVER: Cornice camp close to Porcupine Peak, Black Peak dues and private donations. These beyond. This area is central to the American Alps Legacy contributions support the full range of the Council’s activities, including Project, and marks the headwaters of the Skagit River in the publication of The Wild Cascades. As United States. —Tom Hammond photo a 501(c)(3) organization, all contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Membership dues for one year are: Living Lightly/ The Wild Cascades Student $10; Individual $30; Family $50; Sustaining $100; Other, $______. Journal of the North Cascades Conservation Council Editor: Anne Basye North Cascades Editor emeritus: Betty Manning Conservation Council Editorial Board: John Edwards, Philip Fenner, Tom Hammond, P.O. Box 95980 and Rick McGuire University Station Seattle, WA 98145-2980 Printing by EcoGraphics The Wild Cascades is published three times a year (Spring, Summer/Fall, Winter). Executive Director, Jim Davis Letters, comments, and articles are invited, subject to editorial review. 1-360-296-5159 The Wild Cascades Editor NCCC Website North Cascades Conservation Council www.northcascades.org University Station, Seattle, WA 98145-2980

The Wild Cascades is printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

2  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 NCCC Board president Marc Bardsley board chairman Founded in 1957 Patrick Goldsworthy SEATTLE, WASHINGTON vice president Charles Ehlert treasurer The President’s Report Spring 2011 Tom Brucker secretary I’m sure you know by now that the North Cascades Conservation Council is Phil Zalesky leading the effort to expand North Cascades National Park by a few hundred thousand acres. In order to support that effort, we have partnered with other executive director groups including the Mountaineers, several Audubon groups, Republicans for Jim Davis Environmental Protection, and the Climbing Club at the University of Washing- ton, among others. This umbrella group calls itself the American Alps Legacy Project. Bruce Barnbaum As part of our effort to educate the public on the need to protect lands adja- Polly Dyer cent to the Park, and to work with the businesses in the affected area, the NCCC and members of this partnership planned an event in the heart of the North John Edwards Cascades this summer. Our ideas ran the gamut from a cross-Cascades hike to a series of separate guided tours. An event promoter even suggested we try a relay Philip Fenner race, but the prime mid-summer dates eluded us and after testing response to a late September date, the promoter backed-out. Just too late in the season to Dave Fluharty attract the triathalon crowd, I guess. Not to be deterred (persistence has always been one of our strongest virtues, Anders Forsgaard after all) we’ll be working with our friends at North Cascades Institute to host Karl Forsgaard several guided nature hikes, canoe trips, a barbecue and a chance to introduce our National Park expansion proposal to the press and the public at the North Kevin Geraghty Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) on September 24. You’ll hear it called the American Alps Challenge. You may have seen publicity about it in Tom Hammond various magazines and on our websites. It should be a great weekend to get out into the mountains we cherish, after a very long and late spring season. If you Fayette Krause haven’t visited the ELC, you’ll be very impressed with the place and the spirit of the folks there. Dave LeBlanc For information on the events and how to participate in them, please see our Betty Manning websites www.northcascades.org and www.americanalps.org You’ll also find a detailed description of the events and activities in this issue of The Wild Cas- Carolyn McConnell cades on pages 10-11. I personally hope to see you and many other fellow NCCC members and Rick McGuire guests up at the Environmental Learning Center on September 24! It’ll be a great chance to mingle with others like you who care deeply for the wild Cas- Thom Peters cades and advance the cause of park expansion.

Mike Town

Laura Zalesky

visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  3 It’s in the air By John S. Edwards

achine noise: the hiker does, and should be considered in the context of air tours. There are how- omnipresent ear ever ample opportunities to experience pollution that grand vistas of the mountain from roads and parking areas. Indeed it has been a envelopes us night tradition of the National Park Service that ample provision be made for the vehicular andM day is no respecter of wilderness traveler. or park boundaries. Refuges are rare The aerial experience can be impressive but it is at the expense of the surface trav- but the National Park Service is at last eler. It is an experience that can be readily starting to do something about it. As simulated by movies of overflights shown in visitor centers. noted in The Wild Cascades Spring Larry Tonish, Federal Aviation Our environment is so saturated with 2010, Congress decreed in 2000 that Administration the sounds of modern machinery that the PO Box 92007 preservation of quiet natural refugia with the National Park Service (NPS) and Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007 their natural sights and sounds in the Na- tional Parks should be zealously protected. the Federal Aviation Administration David Uberuaga, Superintendent For these reason we oppose any form of must co-operate under the National Mount Rainier National Park Headquarters tourist flights over the park and support Alternative 1. Parks Air Tour Management Act to 55210 238th Avenue E Ashford, WA 98304 We note that besides the commercial generate regulations for commercial tours associated with Mount Rainier there is also glider activity operated out of the overflights. The process is now under Dear Sirs, Ranger Creek State Airport on Route 410. This letter addresses proposed alterna- way. The NPS is in the process of It is stated in the operations informa- tives in the Air Tour Management Plan for tion listed on the airport website that developing regulations to limit flights Mount Rainier National Park, as required tow aircraft “should avoid overflights by the National Park Air Tour Management and aerotow near popular destinations in that most assaulted of all parks, the Act of 2000. such as Sunrise” and that there have been Grand Canyon, where the yattering The North Cascades Conservation complaints concerning gliders “loitering” Council strongly recommends Alternative over ridges near Sunrise. We emphasize of helicopters and the whine of small 1. No Air Tours. We reach this choice after that any decisions relating to air tours careful consideration of all four alterna- over Mount Rainier should apply also to planes is all but inescapable. tives, three of which allow for access of aerotow planes and gliders. Mount Rainier has also become the fixed wing and helicopter tours within The North Cascades park space. Conservation Council subject of hearings. The following According to park statistics, Mount Rainier receives well over one million visi- letter was sent by NCCC in support of tors a year, of which 73% list day hikes as banning tourist flights over the park. their favored activity. A significant number of visitors make longer hikes or climbs The measures will not, of course, stop offering an alpine wilderness experience. all intrusion, but it is a start. For both the hiker and the more serious venturer the sights and sounds of the natural environment are critical factors in the experience of the mountain. Within a short distance from parking lots the sounds of surface transport are lost and nature reigns. Intrusion of the sight and sound of small airplanes and helicopters into this natural world is, to most visitors in our experience, irritating, even obnox- ious. It can be argued that the aged and the infirm cannot experience the park as a

4  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Celebrating crumbling roads in the backcountry By Robert Kendall

was thrilled when that most beautiful of rivers, the Stehekin, jumped Iits channel during a fall flood and took up residence in the roadbed which had been foisted upon its floodplain sixty years before. The mining-cum-tourist road had been washed out, closed, and “repaired” numerous times, but this was a “flood of record” and the river moved in to stay. As the years went by, alder pleasantly feath- ered the quieted edges of the road beyond. The Park Service brushed the alder back, planning to reclaim the road again, if the river acquiesced. I wished they would just abandon it, preferably at the park boundary. Many in the Park Service agreed, but they were constrained by the newly completed 1995 General Management Plan. During the process that were usually uneconomical. However, Above: Justin and Amber Kendall on Point of writing this plan, the NPS preferred the unimaginably enormous extraction of 7424 McGregor Mountain on Rainbow alternative had been to terminate the road untold trillions from the earth in the last Lake backpacking trip, July 2009. Lake at Bridge Creek Campground, but “public 150 years has not enabled anything resem- Chelan is in the background. (Rainy Pass/ outcry” intervened. Then came the torren- bling a sustainable economy, way of life, Rainbow/McAlester Loop) tial Pineapple Express in October of 2003, or functional government. Many of the decisively obliterating long sections of the resultant flood- and erosion-prone Forest Stehekin and numerous other roads. To Service spur roads, vestiges of obviously me, this was sweet serendipity. failed paradigms, are one good example I happily celebrate the “crumbling of the kind of waste from which we can Below: Seven years earlier, Justin, age away” of roads in the North Cascades that hope the bloated empire might redirect its 7, and Amber, age 5, in upper basin at Rick McGuire wrote about in the Winter broken debt-hobbled tentacles. Horseshoe Basin in August 2002. 2011 issue of The Wild Cascades, because In addition to wasting I believe that roads are fundamentally money, disrupting habitat, inappropriate in the backcountry of the causing tremendous ero- North Cascades, and ought to exist and sion, and spreading inva- be maintained only if justified socially, sive species, forest roads environmentally, and economically. Unfor- also offer ease of entry for tunately, this is a matter of conflict within timber and wildlife poach- the hiking community. ing, drunken “target” With very few exceptions, the roads in shooting, vandalism, litter- the North Cascades were built expressly ing and illegal dumping, and solely for the rapid and mindless strip illicit ORV use, and other mining of a unique forest ecosystem which assorted manifestations of had arisen under conditions very unlikely irresponsibility. Destruc- ever to be repeated (a non-renewable re- tive effects often ripple source) and to service mineral operations Continued on page 6 visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  5 Celebrating crumbling roads, continued from page 5

beyond the road, inversely proportional trips to Miners Ridge, Cloudy Peak, and al- Pass down Bridge Creek (with a “land to the distance therefrom. The need to most to Spider Gap, then walked the trail swap” so there would be no “net loss” exert effort, while not foolproof, seems to to Lucerne. My son turned eight during of wilderness)? We could drive to Horse- be the best protection against bad actors. our hike. (A shortened Suiattle road may shoe Basin and picnic under the ring of I am not expecting that every Forest have altered this itinerary or forestalled waterfalls without getting all sweaty! Does Service road be closed, just listing some it a few years. None the less, my point this narrowly averted nightmare not seem benefits that occur when they are. The stands). Three 50-milers and many shorter utterly absurd to us now? The formerly ex- biggest benefit of backpacking trips have isting road to Cottonwood, through miles all, in my opinion, is Even if you are not followed. This may not of superb wilderness, was just exactly as the improvement for be the norm, but it isn’t absurd. human enjoyment. (I in range to hear, see, unique. If my children If they did not already exist, could the concede this is a matter and I could be consid- building of roads to Johannesburg or Sul- of personal taste). Even or smell cars, a road ered part of an “elite phur Creek possibly be supported by any- if you are not in range changes the way a few” then our society is one in the hiking community? Could the to hear, see, or smell in really huge trouble. North Cascades Highway be built in 2011? cars, a road changes the place feels that is There is nothing physi- I know, the highway isn’t going anywhere, way a place feels that cally special about my but that’s beside the point. It’s a thought is difficult to ignore, difficult to ignore, family nor most of the exercise. We tend to accept things we like a mosquito in your like a mosquito in other great people I would otherwise stringently fight against shelter. You can’t neces- have ever met enjoy- simply because they’re already there. The sarily see it, but it will your shelter. ing the wilderness. It’s grandfather clause might be a great thing bug you as long as you all about attitude, of for legal codes, but not for conservation, know it’s there. This al- course. where it seems to cause blind compla- ters the experience. A fragmented wilder- Some people believe they can’t afford cency. ness feels different because it is different. longer hikes, or do not have time, and are As conservationists, defending inappro- Of course, there is no true wilderness; therefore “priced out” of favorite places by priate roads is quite illogical, given that even a properly built trail is an intrusion, road closures. This has much more to do a hiker’s Subaru does not belong inside but only an infinitesimal fraction as much with life choices or situations than with de facto wilderness any more than does a as the crudest of roads. infrastructure. As to health and mobility, noisy ORV or destructive mining equip- In contrast with the many reasons for every one of us is inexorably following the ment, as a matter of principle. This glaring closing certain roads, the singular oppos- “circle of life.” This is an excellent argu- incongruity seems to be unnoticed or ig- ing argument is the dramatic claim that ment for minding our priorities while we nored (or accepted in the interest of unity) we are being “shut out” of the wilderness. are still ambulatory! When I am no longer by many true conservationists (but not by The map says otherwise. While the fur- able to go on long hikes, I will continue to our political opponents who feel that we thest one can presently get from a road in derive great comfort from wilderness by are granola-munching hypocrites). It’s not Washington is only about 15 linear miles, fact of its existence, as I do now every day, just the various stripes of developers that there are three major year-round highways between outings. wilderness needs protection from! and two seasonal highways crossing the It is strange logic that says roads into Every remaining scrap of wilderness, Cascade crest, in addition to the Mt. Baker the wilderness are necessary to preserve and the intrinsic characteristics thereof, Highway and Mountain Loop Highway, advocacy, as in, “Keep the entire Suiattle ought to be preserved, holistically, both many Forest Service trunk roads, and road open, deep into the mountains, so for its own sake and for the enjoyment many spur roads that are unlikely to be that people won’t stay home, turn a blind and edification of man. Highways that decommissioned. These provide a tre- eye, and allow Kennecott to.... build roads sever the wilderness remain necessary mendous amount of actual and potential deep into the mountains.” As the kids say for transportation between regions of the opportunity for casual recreation, day these days, “really?” state, but old logging or mining dead-end hikes, and quick access to spectacular high If an extra three, five, or ten (easy) ap- “cherry stem” roads which never should country. proach miles of hiking would keep hikers have existed in the first place, such as the Let’s be honest. Many people do not from visiting, exploring, loving, reveling upper Stehekin and Suiattle roads, serve want to hike an extra day or two, or may in, and fighting for places such as the only no such purpose. It is very encouraging lack the experience safely to do so, but wilderness volcano in the Lower 48, then when such roads are decommissioned or physical ability is not in question for we’re sunk. abbreviated, saving money and enhancing most of us, families included. We tend to Even those demanding a rebuilt Ste- the ecosystem and the hiking experience. sell ourselves short, and the lightweight hekin Road presumably wouldn’t want Vehicle access ought to be to or toward materials and designs of modern equip- it extended to the original terminus, at wilderness, not into wilderness. Rather ment make backpacking easier and more Black Warrior Mine. (Here is more of that than protesting the mitigation of past comfortable than ever. My children, who strange logic; let’s rebuild a road deep into mistakes, let’s move forward in a positive began hiking at the age of two, enjoyed the heart of the wilderness, just not too direction on the real access issue in the their first 50-miler when my daughter was deep). Cost aside, would any policymaker North Cascades, that of building and main- six, hardly a seasoned athlete. We went dare suggest in the 21st century, at the risk taining walking trails. over Suiattle Pass, took wonderful side of derision, building a road from Rainy

6  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Swamp Mountain: Perspectives on the Skagit River, source of Northwest life, livelihood and quality of life By Tom Hammond

hen I plan my big trip of route to a set of steep 200' pitches to reach Swamp Creek flows away to join the the summer, I usually have base camp on a narrow ridge, I went with Granite Arm of the Skagit River. All facing a goal in mind as early a more relaxed approach up Cutthroat peaks and both valleys fall outside federal as January and certainly trail, acknowledging my true climbing protection or recognition, a primary focus Wby April for a climb in the high North days are coming to an end, and I wasn’t of American Alps. —Tom Hammond photo Cascades. This year was different—I didn’t going to summit Porcupine Peak. I was choose Porcupine Peak until mid-May. As going to (be in) a place to live and experi- with the past few years, my destination is ence over the course of days—a moun- were failing footprints leading to trackless influenced by conservation work, in this taineering concept I’ve always embraced. snowy forest. Route-finding is key to any case American Alps Legacy (americanalps. That place is an unnamed ridge/mountain mission, and while not lost, I was feeling a org). I wanted to get right to the heart of I’ve taken to calling “Swamp Mountain,” bit uncomfortable as I wandered through the area that is currently unrecognized as this 7,500' running ridge defines and is the forest trying to pick my way—I had as anything more than a scenic highway. I defined by Swamp Creek and Porcupine not studied this approach for months and should hope you’ll find these pictures and Creek—the true headwaters of the Skagit have only hiked it once in my life. But words show something more than a strip River, the third-largest river on the west using cues from surrounding peaks and a of pavement. side of the contiguous 48 states, and home few goat tracks, I quickly got my bearings May is late to select a destination, to some of the largest runs of wild salmon and had a wonderful ascent directly to the because much study of maps and consid- remaining in the lower 48. place I had hoped to be—a lovely flat spot eration of route, climb and variables, not Even without a summit, there was so on a ridge close to the summit of Swamp to mention a healthy dose of excitement/ much snow that “the trail route” was no Mountain (7,552'). anticipation, go in to the pre-trip plan- picnic. Here the mountains are much Not even I, the Cornice Camp Kid, could ning. As it turned out, I didn’t make the larger, much more challenging, and far imagine how great this camp would be. final call on approach/route until the night less visited, at least with the healthy snow- A double-cornice was waiting for me. On before I left. And I scored a direct hit! pack, so that I didn’t see another person one side, the cornice was some 4 meters Instead of going for the overland, no-trail for three days. Above Cutthroat Lake there Continued on page 8 visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  7 Continued from page 7 area or even the middle distance is recog- Swamp Creek and Porcupine Creek, nized on a federal level as national park or shown here, form the ultimate headwaters high/thick, overhanging 130 meters of wilderness. These mountains and valleys of the Skagit River in the United States. free air above Swamp Creek. On the other are key to the largest rivers in the region— Cutthroat Peak at left. This entire valley side was a 35° snow slope for about 30 me- the true source of life, livelihoods, and and the surrounding peaks fall outside ters; both sides sculpted by winter/spring quality of life for everyone from fruit farm- National Park and Forest Service Wilder- winds to make for a flat spot I didn’t need ers on the arid east side of the Cascade ness. —Tom Hammond photo to groom at all. Awesome. crest to sport fishermen on the west side. The snow conditions were the best I’ve Many of my friends and colleagues on ever seen: firm and consistent throughout the NCCC board lament they can’t do what all elevations. I only punched through I can. In their 70s, 80s or older, they stay a few times down low in the forest, and engaged and work as hard for these sum- up high, I used crampons until noon mits as they ever have, trying to secure I hope you’ll stay interested, too, for each day. I celebrate what many view as a the proper protection and recognition so while you may not camp or climb these constraint. No bugs, plenty of water, and a suitable for this incredible landscape. I am crags, they do contribute to your everyday nice flat camp. thankful that I’m still able to do as much life if you live in the state of Washington. I counted more than 150 named peaks backcountry travel as I do, and hope to Become involved, join the North Cascades while on the summit, a narrow ridge with never lose my sense of wonder and desire Conservation Council, and help us in rec- a billowing double-cornice that I kept for exploration. I appreciate and am fortu- ognizing these lands. well clear of other than to scoop out some nate for the perspective my fellow NCCC snow for drinking water. Living up there board members provide—we recognize www.northcascades.org. for three days and getting to know the that our abilities diminish and accept it as landscape, it was hard for me to grasp that a fact of life. I suspect it will not make us www.americanalps.org nothing I was looking at in the proximate more inclined to call for trams or roads to summits.

8  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Massive overbuilding threatens North Fork Sky Road By Rick McGuire

nohomish County has announced mere 26 million dollars in this era of tril- North Fork Skykomish valley looking plans to reconstruct the North lion dollar bailouts? Snohomish County’s south from Scott Peak, Index and Persis Fork Skykomish or “Index-Galena” government doesn’t seem concerned. in background. FHWA highway building road washed away by floods in The most glaring environmental would disfigure the slopes on the left side S2006. Since then, motorized access to the of the river in the mid-ground. problem with the proposal is the 40-mile- upper North Fork valley has been via the per-hour design speed. If implemented, —John Roper photo Beckler River and Jack Pass, a longer but this will mean a backwoods freeway, with serviceable route. The proposed recon- massive cuts and fills, and huge amounts is a long one, with places such as the Cle struction would restore direct access from of earth moved. It will mean a wide new Elum River valley and the Icicle Creek val- Index upstream in the North Fork valley. swath carved out of the forested slopes of ley disfigured by past projects. The North The project’s pricetag is something the North Fork valley, forever changing its Fork Skykomish looks to be the next addi- around 26 million dollars. Some wonder character for the worse. A low-impact road tion to the list. whether that is a wise investment given would have a design speed of twenty miles It’s unfortunate to see resources squan- the many problems with roads and bridges per hour or less. dered in such fashion when it appears in- in the rest of Snohomish County, in places FHWA’s insistence on such massive over- evitable that petroleum fuels will become where people actually live. From the building is simply its ingrained culture, much more expensive within not very county’s point of view, it is “free” money, where projects are never designed to use many years. It seems as though the last of coming from the Federal budget through a thousand dump truck loads if they can the cheap oil will be spent on things like the Federal Highways Administration use ten thousand. FHWA always builds as uglifying the North Fork Sky and digging (FHWA.) It is an awful lot of money to big as possible. Little regard is given to automobile tunnels under Seattle. People spend for the benefit of a few dozen cabin economy, and none to fitting roads to their will likely puzzle over such decisions in owners, especially considering that there surroundings. The catalog of once-pleas- years to come, and wonder why so little is another, albeit less convenient, way to ant places made ugly by FHWA projects was done to prepare for the post-oil age. drive in. But does anyone worry about a visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  9 Save the date! September 24: American Alps Challenge Welcome to the American Alps Challenge: A day of fun, learning, and conservation history

Be a part of the and return by Challenge. Learn 11:00 a.m. more about what the The second North Cascades has hike will ex- to offer. Help protect plore the Blue this incredible wild Lake area near place. Washington Pass. This high Family Nature altitude hike Events visits the sub- Birding hikes, big alpine zone canoe trips, and with unique nature hikes will be habitats and offered throughout the day. View • Birding Hikes birds. Carpools for this four-mile the beautiful fall colors, while Two birding hikes will be of- round-trip hike with 1,000 feet el- learning more about what makes fered in collaboration with Skagit evation gain will depart Newhalem this wonderful wild place tick. Audubon. Anyone interested in at 11:00 a.m. and return by 3:30 birds is welcome, from beginner p.m. Registration: Send email to: to expert. These hikes are at vastly • Family Canoe Trips [email protected], different elevations, highlighting Large 20-person canoes will offer tell us how many participants the variety of habitats and birdlife a unique and fun opportunity for and for which events. in the North Cascades. Go to www. families with children to explore The North Cascades are for fami- fidalgo.net/~audubon/ to visit the beautiful Diablo Lake. The guided lies to enjoy. View North Cascades Skagit Audubon website and find canoe trips will leave from the birds and wildlife, explore old- more information on these birding North Cascades Institute's Envi- growth forests, glide on a moun- hikes when it becomes available. ronmental Learning Center (ELC) tain lake, and dunk your head in a The first hike will explore low el- at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 waterfall. Experience all of the fun evation Skagit river forests west of p.m. activities that will entice you and Newhalem, including the Ag Ponds your children to return again and and County Line Ponds. This is a • Nature Hikes again to the North Cascades. favorite birding area with a high di- Two front-country nature hikes versity of species. The tour bus will will be offered by the North Cas- depart from Newhalem at 8:00 a.m. cades Institute's ELC on Diablo

10  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Lake. The hikes will explore old- Environmental Overnight Lodging and growth forests, pristine streams, Learning Center (ELC) Camping and a beautiful waterfall. Tour Picnic and Tour American Alps Challenge par- buses to the hikes will depart from The North Cascades Institutes’ ticipants wanting to stay overnight Newhalem at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 ELC will offer a BBQ picnic (fea- on September 23rd and/or 24th p.m. turing food from local farms) and will have several options. Motels, A backcountry wilderness hike guided tours of the ELC campus lodges, and private campgrounds will explore a new lake created by as part of their 25th anniversary in the area will likely have space a dramatic landslide along Goodell Celebration. The picnic and tours available in late September. Park Creek. Learn more about North will be available from 11:00 a.m. Service and Forest Service camp- Cascades biodiversity and how this to 3:00 p.m. Visit the ELC website, grounds will also be available. A low elevation ecosystem functions. www.ncascades.org/picnic, where limited number of rooms are avail- The tour bus will depart from Ne- you can find more information on able at the Environmental Learn- whalem at 1:00 p.m. their 25th anniversary celebration, ing Center. Reservations should be Important Details for Nature picnic, and tours. made directly with the providers, Event Participants www.americanalps.org/challenge/ American Alps Legacy lodging.htm. Leave the driving to us. For Proposal birding hikes, family canoe trips, All participants are welcome nature hikes, and the ELC picnic, Note regarding the to join us at the North Cascades participants have the option of Institute's Environmental Learning previously announced carpooling in small buses to trail- Center on Diablo Lake at 3:00 p.m. relay race heads and the ELC. All buses will for a presentation on the American The American Alps Challenge depart from the parking lot north Alps Legacy Proposal. The presen- relay race has been canceled for of the highway in Newhalem. De- tation will make it clear how much 2011. We apologize for any incon- parture times are indicated under was left out when the North Cas- venience. Check back next year to each event description above. cades National Park was created see if the relay race from Washing- Birding hikes, family canoe trips, in 1968. Old growth forests, low ton Pass to Marblemount will be nature hikes, and the ELC tours elevation wildlife habitats, pristine part of the Challenge. are all free. Participants will have rivers and streams, magnificent the option of purchasing American mountains, and family recreation Event Sponsors Alps t-shirts and will be asked to sites remain unprotected by na- North Cascades Conservation make a donation toward cover- tional park status. The American Council, The Mountaineers, The ing bus costs associated with our Alps Legacy Proposal will add more Mountaineers Foundation, North energy saving carpool plan. than 230,000 acres to the Park. Cascades Institute, Skagit Audu- All hike and tour participants To learn more, go to www.ameri- bon, Seattle Audubon, Republicans should wear shoes suitable for hik- canalps.org/campaign/index.htm. for Environmental Protection. ing and should bring snacks, water, binoculars, rain gear, and layers of clothing appropriate for the elevation. If you will not be enjoying the ELC picnic, please bring a lunch. Canoeists should bring an extra set of clothing, although we would really prefer you did not fall into the cold water of Diablo Lake. visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  11 A brief history of The Wild Cascades: A call to action By Tom Hammond

etty Manning, Editor in Chief of The Wild Cascades, is step- ping down from her position of running the publication. The Beditorial committee has been charged with taking on her duties, though not even a group of us can seem to accomplish what Betty has done since 1992. As the transi- tion chugs along, we decided to chronicle the history of this publication, to take this time to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we’re going. My wife Athena and I met with Betty and Patrick Goldsworthy at the Manning Cougar Mountain hut to have a chat about remembrances. As we discussed The Wild Cascades, we noticed the conversation kept coming back to the future, and how our meeting was really a call to action for all of our membership. Sorry folks, but this article ends up with some “action items” and homework for all of us. Patrick Goldsworthy, with Laura and Phil Zalesky, founded the North Cascades Conservation Council. The NCCC publication, The Wild Cascades, began in 1957 as NCCC News, a monthly report of the issues and concerns being worked by the NCCC. Usually about six pages, this mimeographed, stapled newsletter was the de facto journal of record of the NCCC, through which the organization reached out to members, constituents, lawmakers and adversaries alike.

As seen here, NCCC News became The Manning became editor in the early 1960s. Wild Cascades in June of 1961, a mo- Harvey lent the considerable force of his mentous occasion in the history of North pen to the publication, at times as The Cascades conservation efforts. Irate Birdwatcher, at times as himself. Patrick remembers typing page upon The phrase, “Irate Birdwatcher” is now page, then running the mimeograph ma- synonymous with “fighting conservation- chine, and having board members come to ist.” Harvey wasn’t alone—Joe Miller, aka his home to manually assemble and staple The Kaopectate Kid, unleashed his sharp the newsletter. What doesn’t appear on wit on poor public lands policy, calling these reproductions is that the paper used connected citizens to action. He is remem- was a mellow yellow color. bered, with his wife Margaret, for studying Enter the Mannings. The journal came and saving the Big Beaver Valley from the out sporadically in the early years. Harvey threat of a higher Ross Dam.

12  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 tions that adhere to high standards of jour- nalistic integrity and honesty now more than ever. The issues brought forth in this publication are important and worthy, because the North Cascades and all who depend on these glorious mountains are important and worthy. Despite the growth of online/computer media, we are happy TWC continues to fill its crucial role in championing and informing conservation ethics and efforts. And here’s where all of you come in. We’d like to get to know you. We would like to see our membership become more engaged in all of our conservation efforts. We invite our membership to contribute in ways suited to your talents and abilities, not just with money. We have a blog, we have a website, we have this publication and we have a need for your energy and passion to protect tens of thousands of acres that remain outside national park and Forest Service Wilderness designation. And what’s the point, you might ask, of all this nostalgia? Is NCCC looking back just to praise itself and its heroes for past accomplishments? Far from it! We’d like to grow the membership, but more importantly, engage the membership, and The Wild Cascades is a perfect venue for that. Our vision for conservation of the Cascades includes YOU — and we need to hear from you! There are many pressing issues beyond those we’ve covered in past issues, ones you know and care about. Places you go that deserve better protection, ones that only you can tell us about. Help YOUR NCCC to help you pursue those issues YOU believe in!

Visit: www.northcascades.org www.americanalps.org From September of 1962 until August pressive collection of scientists, professors, of 1992, The Wild Cascades appeared lawyers, engineers and other informed http://americanalps.blogspot.com/ much as you see it today—grayscale with a professionals and regular citizens passion- more formal cover and look, though with ate about our way of life here in the Pacific E-mail: smaller dimensions of 6.75” x 9.5”. Northwest. Pat Hutson, a formet Stehekin [email protected] Betty Manning took on the role of editor resident now living in Oregon, does a in 1992. fantastic job of graphic design. The professional and consistent layout Throughout its evolution, The Wild Cas- that we see today was first done in Febru- cades has served as the means by which ary of 1993 with the help of former board we inform and educate on the values of member Kevin Herrick. Contributors are the NCCC and what we see as important generally NCCC board members, an im- to our region. There’s a need for publica- visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  13 In memoriam: Conway Leovy

oard member Conway Leovy Around the same time as the Wild Sky succumbed to liver cancer July effort finished up, a new threat emerged 9. Conway joined the Uni- on Heybrook Ridge. If the North Fork versity of Washington Atmo- Skykomish valley is the back yard of sphericb Sciences Department in 1968 Index, then Heybrook Ridge is its front with a PhD in Meteorology from MIT. yard. A low ridge sitting directly south He was an expert on the atmospheres of of town, it is the foreground for Index’s Mars, Venus and Jupiter, and modeled splendid views of Mounts Index and the climatic effects of clouds over oceans Persis. It is also covered in the same kind here on Earth. He was awarded NASA’s of mature second-growth forest that had Exceptional Scientific Achievement just been protected. Unlike Wild Sky, Medal as well as other notable awards it was private land, and the owners an- in his field. He directed the University nounced it would be logged unless some of Washington’s Institute for Environ- way could be found to purchase it. The mental Studies 1986 - 89. A thoughtful prospects of saving Heybrook looked and wise member of the NCCC beginning hopeless when the people of Index took in 2002, Conway played a key role in on the task. Conway got going when preserving Heybrook Ridge from logging. things looked grim. With unrelenting Early plans for the proposed borders of effort, and by refusing to give up when the Wild Sky Wilderness were hatched in there looked to be no possible way to his chalet in Index, where he had an in- raise enough money, the means were timate knowledge of the lay of the land. found to protect Heybrook. It stands to- komish river in the town of Index. Conway day, along with the Wild Sky Wilderness, John Edwards had no particular desire to draw lines on as tribute to those whose efforts saved it, maps and protect yet more mountains and A scientist, conservationist, Conway included. and a gentleman: high country. He wanted to protect and preserve low country, the biologically rich The North Fork Skykomish was but NCCC board appreciations places largely missing from most Wilder- one of Conway's interests, but there can I first met Conway Leovy as a stu- ness areas enacted before then. be no doubt that thanks to his efforts, it dent at the University of Washington. is a far better place today than it would And what better place to strategize than Professor Leovy gave a guest lecture in have been without him. the North Fork Skykomish, where salmon a glaciology class, and opened up my ascend farther up into the mountains than Rick McGuire eyes to more than just glaciers. Conway just about any other Cascade river? Al- had a way of “connecting the dots” and Conway Leovy was as fine a gentle- though much of the lower valley had been explaining the complex processes that man as you could ever find. Laura and logged back in the 1920s, it was again go into making a glacier. Conway was a I appreciated his friendship because he cloaked in mature, naturally regenerated true planetary scientist, a unique aware- was a man of high character and warm second growth forest. Not old growth, but ness I was fortunate enough to glimpse and gentle personality. This made him a well on its way to becoming so again, and as he shared his wealth of knowledge. friend to all who knew him. After attend- splendid forest nonetheless. Later, I was pleased and excited to find ing the Heybrook Ridge victory celebra- out Professor Leovy was on the board of Nobody had ever put significant second- tion—which I believe was attended by the NCCC. Indeed, his presence is one of growth forest into wilderness before in every citizen of Index—it was noticeable the main reasons I joined. Thanks for all Washington state. There were those who that he was respected by all in Index you’ve done for Planet Earth and human were shocked at the idea. But not Con- for his participation in the conservation understanding of what is really impor- way. He thought it made perfect sense to project and the great role he played. It tant, Professor Leovy! protect low-elevation forests, even if they was not an easy undertaking since there weren’t old growth, and even if wilderness were so many different interests to rec- Tom Hammond hadn’t been done that way before. And as oncile and so much money to raise. Conway Leovy had many accomplish- things turned out, so did Senator Patty He was always a strong advocate for ments beyond the North Fork Skykomish Murray, who enjoyed a breakfast at the wilderness and all wild places and con- valley. But just the things he did there Leovy place one morning before going out tinued to receive the Pilchuck Audubon were far more than most people ever to look at those very same forests. And so Profile after he felt he could no longer manage to do. Some of the first meetings it came to be that the Wild Sky Wilderness participate with the NCCC. This orga- ever held to discuss the idea of protect- became the first one in Washington state nization as well as many of us will miss ing low-elevation forests and salmon to protect 6000 acres of second-growth him. streams were held at the Leovy place forest, along with 25 miles of salmon Phil Zalesky right on the bank of the North Fork Sky- streams.

14  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 NCCC joins intervention against Black Canyon hydro proposal By Rick McGuire

NCCC has joined with American traditionally as “Ernie’s Gorge” and now as when need is lowest. They extend indus- Whitewater, American Rivers, and the the “Black Canyon,” the North Fork drops trial infrastructure deep into wild country. Alpine Lakes Protection Society in filing precipitously in a cauldron of whitewater. An extreme case of what can happen when an intervention with the Federal Energy As a kayak route it is considered very chal- many of these are built can be seen in the Regulatory Commission (FERC) against lenging. Just above the river’s east bank, a Swiss Alps, where it is rare to see a free- the “Black Canyon” hydroelectric project small but spectacular area of old-growth flowing stream. Just about everything has proposed for the North Fork Snoqualmie forest has survived on benches that cliff been diverted into pipes, and the sound of river at the northwestern foot of Mt. Si, a bands put just out of reach of early day falling water, so pervasive in the Cascades, few miles north of North Bend. loggers who worked the slopes above. A is absent. (For more on the threat of small Much less well known than the Middle number of Douglas fir trees reach 250 or hydro see the Spring 2010 issue of The and South Forks of the Snoqualmie, the more feet in height, with big muscular Wild Cascades.) North Fork has been called “the forgotten limbs. They must be well over 500 years NCCC and other intervening groups stepsister” of the Snoqualmies. From its old. They are protected within the Mt. believe that the small amounts of energy headwaters around Lennox Mountain it Si Natural Resource Conservation Area generated by these projects are not worth flows west then south along the Cascade (NRCA), the state lands equivalent of the damage they do by extending roads, front range toward Mt. Si. It joins the wilderness. dams and power lines into undeveloped Middle and South Forks at Three Forks The proposed project would take water areas, and by taking water out of streams Natural Area just west of Mt. Si. (For a de- out above the canyon, send it through a and rivers. NCCC believes this one is par- tailed look at the North Fork Snoqualmie pipe to spin a turbine, and return it to the ticularly bad because it targets a mainstem see the Winter 2009-2010 issue of The Wild river below the canyon. The canyon would river. A few extra kilowatts at a time of Cascades.) be left with greatly reduced flows. Projects year when power is plentiful are not worth Not far above that confluence, the North like this generally produce very little elec- dewatering the North Fork Snoqualmie. Fork flows through a steep canyon below tricity, and most of what they do produce Watch future issues of The Wild Cascades the northwestern scarp of Mt. Si. Known is generated during times of high runoff for updates.

Ptarmigan on Ruth Mountain — Philip Fenner photo visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  15 The Suiattle lawsuit: why it happened, what is at stake, and what comes next By Kevin Geraghty

n spring 2011, NCCC sued the Fed- cal record clearly suggests a trend toward the FHA’s specific contemplated repairs eral Highway Administration (FHWA) larger and more frequent floods. are significant, but also that the agency has and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Repairing road washouts has environ- showed inadequate concern for minimiz- National Forest to halt the immi- mental costs as well as monetary ones. ing these costs. A few examples: Inent reconstruction and re-routing of the Washouts to the Suiattle road generally oc- • A quarter-mile long swath cut through upper Suiattle river road on the grounds cur when the river migrates laterally into old-growth forest for a road re-route that legally required analysis of options the road, or undermines benches or slopes at the MP 14.4 washout is on average had not been conducted. We were joined which the road traverses, causing slumps 100 feet wide. The running surface of in the suit by the Pilchuck chapter of the or landslides. Aquatically speaking the ap- the road in the vicinity is about 16 feet Audubon society and by a civil engineer, propriate repair strategy is generally to get wide. The swath (and the destruction of Bill Lider. The suit succeeded—the FHWA out of the way, that is, to move the road old forest) is three to four times as big withdrew its decision, and construction laterally some distance from the river. But as the minimum necessary. This is the planned for summer 2011 will not occur. if the river is squeezing the road between only ground activity actually carried out This outcome was more a necessary the edge of its floodplain and adjacent before work was halted. waypoint than a conclusion. We filed the slopes, this can only be accomplished by • A planned half-mile long reroute suit because we felt the agencies were carving new road up onto adjacent hill- through old-growth forest near MP 13 skirting the law and hastening down a slopes, leading to steep grades and large would lead to the loss of roughly three destructive, expensive, and ill-considered cut-banks. Keeping the road on or near its acres of old-growth forest. path with significant environmental and failed alignment usually demands riprap- • A planned lateral shift of the river- financial consequences. Because the agen- ping and bank-armoring, or attempting to adjacent road into the hillslope adjacent cies had bypassed NEPA requirements for shove the river back to its former course. to Downey Creek could potentially de- formal and public analysis, usual avenues These are all aquatically destructive. stabilize the whole slope. Over the past of influence such as formal comments or Aquatic harms aside, the Suiattle’s federal decade, roughly 40 percent of Chinook administrative appeals were closed to us. wild and scenic designation forecloses salmon spawning in the entire Suiattle We assume that over the next few months, these traditional road-engineer strategies. system has been in the lower few a more deliberate and public NEPA analy- Building road on new alignments can hundred yards of Downey creek, and a sis of management options for the road require destroying significant quantities of landslide into this stream reach would will commence. old-growth forest and filling in wetlands, represent a severe blow to a unique (and The Suiattle is the closest thing we even if there is space on flat ground to federally listed) fish stock. move the road well away from active river have in the North Cascades to pristine The true costs and tradeoffs of rebuild- channels. west-Olympic rivers like the Queets. It’s ing the Suiattle road need a proper airing, a powerful glacier-fed river that jumps At present the road is drivable as far as and careful analysis. NCCC does not yet around energetically in a half-mile-wide MP 12.2, roughly half of its almost 24-mile have a formal position on what should be floodplain. Old forest covers lower slopes maximum length. The history of chronic done. We will be thinking hard about the and the valley bottom. It harbors vi- washouts, the climatic trends, and the issues over the next few months. But here able wild populations of all its original environmental and monetary costs of road are some preliminary thoughts: salmonid stocks. The valley sticks in the reroutes beg an obvious set of questions: It is hard to justify rebuilding the road imagination; it’s a good place to savor How much do we need this road? Should it past the vicinity of Downey Creek. Not natural landscapes and the power of a be reopened to its former end at MP 23.8? wild, unregulated river. To some intermediate point? Or perma- Continued on page 17 The river’s dynamism makes it an un- nently closed back to the current head of comfortable neighbor for parallel valley- driving at MP 12.2? Regrettably the respon- bottom roads. Between 1974 and 1999, sible agencies have been intent on ducking Between 1974 and the main Suiattle road washed out, and these questions. They have assumed axi- was repaired, thirteen times—a failure omatically that the road should be rebuilt 1999, the main every other year on average. The present to its very end. In defiance of common Suiattle road washed unrepaired washouts to the Suiattle road sense and of federal statutes they have (seven in all) result from the one-two unilaterally declared that there are no out, and was punch of the October 2003 and November environmental issues of any consequence, 2006 floods. October 2003 was the largest and no need to do formal analysis of op- repaired, thirteen flood recorded in the 99-year history of tions; in short, nothing to see here, move times—a failure the Sauk gauge, and the 2006 flood was along, just a little routine road repair. the third-largest. In fact, of the five largest Thanks to use of the Freedom of Infor- every other year on peak flows recorded on this gauge, four mation Act, to on-the-ground scrutiny, and have occurred since 1980. The hydrologi- to many conversations, we know not only average. that the environmental costs and risks of

16  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Grizzly bear sighting confirmed in the North Cascades last fall By Mark Yuasa

The Seattle Times

Click here to read the article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/reeltimenorthwest/2015486648_grizzly_bear_sighting_confirme. html

The Suiattle lawsuit, continued from page 16

only does the Downey-vicinity rebuild many views of a wild river and of old • The two miles of road from the Green put the Suiattle river chinook stock at forest, which are better appreciated at Mountain spur road up to the Downey risk, but the financial cost (over a mil- a slow pace than glimpsed through a Creek crossing are also at high risk of fu- lion dollars is the current estimate for a car windshield. Under such an option ture washouts. A permanent closure of needed bridge extension) seems a very some former easy day trips (e.g. Green the main road right at the Green Moun- high price tag to keep the last two miles Mountain) would become challeng- tain spur road around MP 19.8, shorten- of a twenty-four mile road open to motor- ing day trips, or overnights; Buck Creek ing the road by about four miles, would ized use. would become a walk-in campground. substantially reduce the aggregate road • There is a clear case to be made for leav- Recreational users would adapt to a new washout risk, not put the Suiattle’s ing the roadhead where it is. Channel reality, as they have in the Carbon valley chinook stock at risk, and still main- migration studies have shown that the in Mount Rainier National Park, or the tain motorized access to the two most roughly three miles of road upriver of Dosewallips valley in Olympic National popular destinations along the road the current MP 12.2 roadhead are at Park and Olympic National Forest, two (Buck Creek campground and the cur- very high risk of future washouts. Some other valleys where main-trunk recre- rent Green Mountain trailhead). Such of the current washouts (including the ational roads have been closed by active a choice would, however, still entail two closest to the 12.2 roadhead) have rivers. significant persistent washout risk and no benign repair options, and involve • Buck Creek campground (three miles would require some painfully destruc- building road on steep slopes and fell- upriver from the current roadhead), and tive re-routes of current washouts ; it is ing old-growth forest. Closed valley- the Green Mountain trailhead spur road thus a compromise between maintain- bottom roads quickly become trail-like; (about seven miles upriver) had signifi- ing motorized access on the one hand the closed Suiattle road is already a fine cant motorized recreation constituen- and resource protection and reducing walk or bike ride, particularly in early cies when the road was driveable that future repair costs on the other. and late season when high country is far. We welcome our readers’ thoughts on under snow. The valley bottom offers these choices. visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  17 A Film for Hikers, Climbers, Strollers books and Backpackers Wilderness Alps: Conservation and Conflict in Washington’s North Cascades by Harvey Manning and NCCC “You feel like you’re sitting Published by Northwest Wild Books around the campfire or huffing 2007 ISBN-13: 978-0-9793333-0-9 up a steep brushy trail, break- $24.95. Special price ing out into the meadows and to members: $20 surveying the peaks alongside incl. Wash. sales tax. Harvey Manning himself. For 480 pages, with me personally, it’s as close as maps, historic I’ll ever get to listening to the photos, and beauti- John Muir of the Cascades.” ful color images by Pat O’Hara, Dave — Philip Fenner Schiefelbein, Tom Hammond and oth- “We are inundated these days ers. by eco-porn: prettified, com- “ . . . a splendidly moditified, and often garish partisan account of citizens’ fight for wil- scenery in calendars. ‘The derness in the North Cascades.” —Estella Irate Birdwatcher’ in contrast is Leopold sensitive and lyrical to the eye “This book has so much: the characters, and the ear from the from the First Ones of long ago to the mili- inimitable pen of tary explorers, the miners and railroad Harvey Manning.” people, the loggers and grazers, the fools — John S. Edwards and charlatans, the promoters and specu- lators, the dam builders and ubiquitous “The gorgeous wilderness Chambers of Commerce, the politicians — all swaggering and posturing across cinematography in ‘The Irate the stage, sometimes with such forceful Birdwatcher’ provides the North schemes that one wonders how there is Cascades imagery that was still, now, so much left.” —Brock Evans missing from the Ken Burns film on National Parks, and it’s a fitting visual counterpart to 100 Hikes in the North Cascades his film is a beautiful testament the words of wildlands defender National Park Region Harvey Manning.” by Harvey Tto the man and his lifework. It — Karl Forsgaard Manning reveals his great wit and charm, 3rd edition, Moun- his thoughts and experiences over “Harvey Manning’s poetic taineers Books, Seattle, Wash., 2000. the years, his deep love for the expression of his love of the Pacific Northwest wilderness $12 for members; wild and, his hopes and dreams puts the listener deep into $15 non-members, the backcountry, while Rob- includes sales tax for the future. Plus there’s a bit and shipping. of him on his usual soapbox. It’s ert Chrestensen’s mountain scenes envelop the senses.” quintessential Harvey. — MaryLou Krause

to order: Wilderness Alps, $24.95 (incl. sst); members $20 (incl. sst); mailing $3.95. A must-have for your film library. 100 Hikes Members: $12; non-members One for yourself. One for your child. Another for a true friend. $15 incl. sst and mailing. NCCC $ 95 24 plus tax, shipping and handling Post Office Box 95980 University Station at http://www.crestpictures.com/ Seattle, WA 98145-2980 Crest Pictures Or check out our website, northcascades. P.O. Box 433, Edmonds, WA 98020 org

18  The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011 Come meet the North Cascades Conservation Council board, honor longtime NCCC board members, and You’re celebrate the American Alps Legacy Project Proposal during a special reception. invited! From 6 to 9 p.m., NCCC members and board members can get to know one another over light refreshments. We’ll pause to honor primary NCCC founder NCCC Membership Event Patrick Goldsworthy and Betty Manning, Editor December 9, 2011 Emeritus of The Wild Cascades. Renowned mountain climbers Jim Wickwire and John 6 to 9 p.m. Roskelley will also share their experiences climbing in The Mountaineers-Goodman B the North Cascades.

7700 Sandpoint Way NE Your official invitation will be in your mailbox soon. Seattle Please share it with anyone you know with an interest in conservation in the North Cascades! See you there!

NORTH CASCADES CONSERVATION COUNCIL Be part of the leadership of a vibrant grassroots network of advocates for protection of unique lands, waters, plant life, and wilderness of the North Cascades. Yes! I want to support North Cascades Conservation Council’s efforts working on many fronts to establish new wilderness, defend our forests, support wildlife conservation and keystone species, and promote sound conservation recreational use.

If you love our great North Cascades wilderness as much as we do, Name______support the NCCC with a generous IRS tax-deductible contribution Address______in the amount of: City______State_____ Zip______$10 Living lightly/student $30 $50 $100 Phone______$250 $500 $1000 ___Other Email______I would like to volunteer. Contact me. Send your check or money order and this form to: Please send me occasional action alerts by email. Laura Zalesky, North Cascades Conservation Council, Contributions include membership and subscription to NCCC’s 14905 Bothell Everett Hwy #207, Mill Creek, WA 98012. journal, The Wild Cascades. NCCC is a 501 (c)(3) organization. You may also send in your contribution by internet logging All donations are tax deductible. into an account at www.northcascades.org

visit www.northcascades.org • americanalps.blogspot.com/ The Wild Cascades • Spring 2011  19