Skagit River Basin Climate Science Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Skagit River Basin Climate Science Report Skagit River Basin Climate Science Report Lead Authors: Se-Yeun Lee 1,3 Alan F. Hamlet 2,3,4 1 Post-doctoral Research Assistant, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington 2 Research Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington 3 Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington 4 Skagit Climate Science Consortium September, 2011 Report Citation: Lee, Se-Yeun, A.F. Hamlet, 2011: Skagit River Basin Climate Science Report, a summary report prepared for Skagit County and the Envision Skagit Project by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and The Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington. Temporary Report URL: http://ftp.hydro.washington.edu/pub/hamleaf/skagit_report/final/ Acknowledgments: The project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement WS-96082901 and PO-00J08201 to Skagit County. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Thanks to John Lombard (Lombard Consulting, LCC), who provided an early review of Chapter 1 of the report and made a number of important contributions to this chapter, particularly on the history of development in the Skagit basin. Thanks to Rob Norheim at the Climate Impacts Group for GIS support and figures, and to Lara Whitely Binder at the Climate Impacts Group for early internal review of the document. The authors are also indebted to the report’s technical reviewers, whose thorough evaluation, constructive criticism, and many useful suggestions greatly improved the manuscript: Ch1: Ed Knight (Swinomish Tribe), Dr. Eric Grossman (USGS) Ch 2,3: Karin Bumbaco (WA State Climatologist’s Office) Ch 4: Dr. Jon Riedel (N. Cascades National Park) Ch 5: Dr. Marijke Van Heeswijk (USGS) Ch 6; Dr. Eric Grossman (USGS) Ch 7: Dr. Greg Hood (Skagit River System Cooperative) Ch 8: Ron Tressler (Seattle City Light) Table of Contents 1. Skagit Basin Overview ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview of the Skagit River Basin ............................................................................. 1 1.2 Geology and Land Cover .............................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Geology .................................................................................................................. 2 1.2.2 Land Cover ............................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Human Settlement of the Skagit Basin ......................................................................... 6 1.3.1 Drainage Infrastructure .......................................................................................... 7 1.3.2 Dams....................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.3 Highways .............................................................................................................. 10 1.4 Ecological Change ...................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Population Growth and Future Projections ................................................................. 13 1.6 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 14 1.7 References ................................................................................................................... 16 2. Climate Variability ........................................................................................................... 21 2.1 Overview of Historical Variations in Pacific Northwest Climate .............................. 21 2.2 Global Climate Patterns Affecting Pacific Northwest Climate .................................. 24 2.2.1 The El Niño-Southern Oscillation ........................................................................ 24 2.2.2 The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) ............................................................... 26 2.3 Impacts of ENSO and the PDO on Pacific Northwest Climate and Hydrology ......... 27 2.3.1 PNW Temperature and Precipitation ................................................................... 28 2.3.2 Effects of the PDO and ENSO on PNW Hydrology ............................................ 29 2.4 ENSO and PDO Impacts on the Skagit River Basin‟s Climate and Hydrology ......... 33 2.4.1 Skagit Basin Temperature and Precipitation ........................................................ 33 2.4.2 Skagit Basin Snowpack ........................................................................................ 34 2.4.3 Skagit Basin Streamflow ...................................................................................... 35 2.4.4 Skagit Basin Flood Risk ....................................................................................... 40 2.4.5 Skagit Basin Water Temperature ......................................................................... 41 2.4.6 Heating and Cooling Energy Demand ................................................................. 42 2.5 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 43 2.6 References ................................................................................................................... 45 3. Climate Change Scenarios ................................................................................................ 50 3.1 Global Climate Models ............................................................................................... 51 3.2 Dynamical Downscaling Using Regional Scale Climate Models (RCMs) ................ 54 3.3 Statistical Downscaling Approaches .......................................................................... 55 3.3.1 Delta Method ........................................................................................................ 55 3.3.2 Transient Bias Corrected and Statistical Downscaling (BCSD) Method ............. 56 3.3.3 Hybrid Delta Downscaling Method ..................................................................... 57 3.4 Climate Change Impacts on Meteorological Conditions and Sea Level Rise ............ 57 3.4.1 Changes in Temperature....................................................................................... 57 3.4.2 Changes in Precipitation....................................................................................... 60 3.4.3 Changes in Sea Level ........................................................................................... 63 3.5 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 67 3.6 References ................................................................................................................... 70 4. Glaciers ............................................................................................................................. 74 4.1 Background ................................................................................................................. 74 4.2 Global glacier changes ................................................................................................ 76 4.3 Glacial changes in the Skagit Basin and North Cascades ........................................... 80 4.3.1 Glaciers monitored by NCGCP ............................................................................ 82 4.3.2 Glaciers monitored by the National Park Service ................................................ 84 4.4 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 90 4.5 Reference .................................................................................................................... 92 5. Hydrology ......................................................................................................................... 97 5.1 Background ................................................................................................................. 98 5.2 Hydrologic Impacts over the Pacific Northwest ....................................................... 100 5.2.1 Implications of changes in April 1 snow water equivalent ................................ 100 5.2.2 Implications of changes in seasonal streamflow timing..................................... 102 5.3 Hydrologic impacts in the Skagit River basin .......................................................... 105 5.3.2 Changes in mean monthly streamflow ............................................................... 110 5.3.3 Changes in Hydrologic Extremes ....................................................................... 112 5.4 Groundwater ............................................................................................................. 117 5.5 Drainage and Potential Conversion to Marsh in Low-Lying Areas ......................... 118 5.6 Summary and Conclusions ....................................................................................... 118 5.7 References ................................................................................................................. 120 6. Geomorphology .............................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • The Wild Cascades
    THE WILD CASCADES April-May 1969 2 THE WILD CASCADES MORE (BUT NOT THE LAST) ABOUT ALPINE LAKES We recently carried in these pages an article by Brock Evans, Northwest Conservation Representative, on Alpine Lakes: Stepchild of the North Cascades. Mr. L. O. Barrett, Supervisor of Snoqualmie National Forest, feels the article contained "some rather significant misinterpretations" and has asked the opportunity to respond. Following are Mr. Barrett's comments on portions of Mr. Evans' article, together with Mr. Evans' rejoinders. Barrett: The Alpine Lakes Area is still wilderness quality in part because of the nature of the land, and in part because the Forest Service has managed it as wilderness type area since 1946. We will continue to protect it from timber harvesting, mining and excessive recreation use until Congress makes a decision about its suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Evans: The wilderness parts of the Alpine Lakes region that are being lost are those which the Forest Service has chosen not to manage as wilderness. The 1946 date referred to is the date of the establishment of the Alpine Lake Limited Area. This designation granted a measure of administrative protection to a substantial part of the region; but much was left out. The logging in the Miller River, Foss River, Deception Creek, Cooper Lake, and Eight Mile Creek valleys all took place in wilderness-type areas which we proposed for protection which were outside the limited area. The Forest Service cannot protect its lands from mineral prospecting or, ulti­ mately, from mining operations of some types — because of the mining laws.
    [Show full text]
  • 1967, Al and Frances Randall and Ramona Hammerly
    The Mountaineer I L � I The Mountaineer 1968 Cover photo: Mt. Baker from Table Mt. Bob and Ira Spring Entered as second-class matter, April 8, 1922, at Post Office, Seattle, Wash., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published monthly and semi-monthly during March and April by The Mountaineers, P.O. Box 122, Seattle, Washington, 98111. Clubroom is at 719Y2 Pike Street, Seattle. Subscription price monthly Bulletin and Annual, $5.00 per year. The Mountaineers To explore and study the mountains, forests, and watercourses of the Northwest; To gather into permanent form the history and traditions of this region; To preserve by the encouragement of protective legislation or otherwise the natural beauty of North­ west America; To make expeditions into these regions m fulfill­ ment of the above purposes; To encourage a spirit of good fellowship among all lovers of outdoor life. EDITORIAL STAFF Betty Manning, Editor, Geraldine Chybinski, Margaret Fickeisen, Kay Oelhizer, Alice Thorn Material and photographs should be submitted to The Mountaineers, P.O. Box 122, Seattle, Washington 98111, before November 1, 1968, for consideration. Photographs must be 5x7 glossy prints, bearing caption and photographer's name on back. The Mountaineer Climbing Code A climbing party of three is the minimum, unless adequate support is available who have knowledge that the climb is in progress. On crevassed glaciers, two rope teams are recommended. Carry at all times the clothing, food and equipment necessary. Rope up on all exposed places and for all glacier travel. Keep the party together, and obey the leader or majority rule. Never climb beyond your ability and knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Survey of North Cascades National Park Complex, Washington
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SOIL SURVEY OF NORTH CASCADES Joins sheet 11, Mount Prophet NATIONAL PARK COMPLEX, WASHINGTON UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ROSS DAM QUADRANGLE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE SHEET NUMBER 18 OF 34 121°7’30"W 121°5’0"W Joins sheet 12, Pumpkin Mountain 121°2’30"W 121°0’0"W Joins sheet 13, Jack Mountain 8006 6502 9001 9010 9003 9003 7502 9003 9012 7015 6015 9999 48°45’0"N Sourdough Mountain 48°45’0"N 9010 9016 TRAIL 9008 7502 6014 9001 9003 7501 TRAIL 8007 9003 9003 9010 SOURDOUGH 9010 7015 9016 6010 7502 9016 9997 TRAIL 6505 9010 9008 6014 BEAVER 7502 9003 BANK BIG 9008 MOUNTAIN Hidden Hand 9016 Pass TRAIL 6010 9012 7501 9999 9003 9012 7502 ROSS LAKE 9010 7003 EAST NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BOUNDARY 7501 LAKE ROSS MOUNTAIN ROSS 7015 NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY DAM 9997 9016 7502 7501 Ruby Arm 6015 9001 7502 7015 6015 6009 7003 7015 9016 7500 9003 Happy JACK 6009 9999 7003 7502 7501 NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY ( closed mid-Nov to April ) 9999 7501 6015 6014 Creek Diablo Lake DIABLO 6014 7502 Resort 7501 9997 TRAIL 6014 7015 7501 7015 9997 LAKE 6014 7003 7003 20 9999 7015 6009 7015 7015 7003 9999 DIABLO LAKE 6010 20 7003 6014 9016 48°42’30"N 9003 48°42’30"N 20 6014 6015 7015 9016 7003 6015 9012 6014 9012 7015 7015 9012 9012 NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY 9016 7015 9003 THUNDER 7502 9010 7015 7501 9016 Thunder 9010 6015 7003 Lake KNOB 7501 7015 9999 9012 Pyramid 7015 6014 Lake Ruby 7003 9998 Mountain TRAIL Thunder Arm 9012 8006 9003 9012 7502 6014 9010 7015 6014 9012
    [Show full text]
  • Skagit - Ferc Project #553
    SKAGIT - FERC PROJECT #553 EROSION CONTROL PROGRAM 2005 COMPLETION REPORT North Cascades National Park and Seattle City Light March, 2006 1 INTRODUCTION As stipulated in the 1991 Erosion Control Settlement Agreement (SA) between the National Park Service (NPS) and Seattle City Light (SCL), erosion control activities in Ross Lake National Recreation Area (NRA) continued for a twelfth year (including pre-license work). NPS crews, funded by SCL, conducted work at several sites in 2005 (Figure 1). Activity this year focused on contingency cribbing site E70A-6B, twenty yards south of E70A-6 on Ross Lake. In addition, site D-11, Thunder Point Campground on Diablo Lake was undertaken and completed. Detailed accounting of expenditures is provided in other reports and is not duplicated here. The purpose of this report is to update the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on progress under the terms of the new operating license for the Skagit Project. PROGRESS REPORTS BY PROJECT SITE D-11, Diablo Lake: Thunder Point Campground Approximately 250 ft of shoreline fronting the campground had become severely eroded. NPS erosion control crews in coordination with Seattle City Light barge, tug and boat crew imported 23 dump truck loads of building rock and one hundred yards of gravel. As per settlement agreement erosion control design, dry lay rock wall was installed to a height of 5’ along the 250’ of shoreline. Upon completion of dry wall, armor rock placed along the toe for the entire span. On the southwest end of the site, an additional 60’ of eroded shoreline was protected by half burying stumps in the drawdown and locking in drift logs in between the buried stumps and the shoreline creating a wave energy break.
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 01/01/2017 to 03/31/2017 Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact R6 - Pacific Northwest Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) Olympic National Park - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:11/2017 07/2018 Susan Piper Mountain Goat Management NOI in Federal Register 360-956-2435 Plan 07/21/2014 [email protected] EIS Est. DEIS NOA in Federal *UPDATED* Register 02/2017 Description: Non-native mountain goat removal to address resource and safety issues on the Olympic Peninsula. Goats could be removed from the Olympic National Park and Forest. Goats could be translocated to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanagon-Wenatchee NFs. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49816 Location: UNIT - Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest All Units, Olympic National Forest All Units. STATE - Washington. COUNTY - Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason. LEGAL - Not applicable. Alpine areas on the affected National Forests. Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) R6 - Pacific Northwest Region King County 911 Upgrades - Special use management In Progress: Expected:04/2017 04/2017 Eric Ozog Project - Phase 1 Scoping Start 07/25/2016 360-691-4396 CE comments- pacificnorthwest- *UPDATED* mtbaker- [email protected] Description: Project would approve construction of additional facilities at existing leased communications sites on National Forest System lands. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49898 Location: UNIT - Skykomish Ranger District, North Bend Ranger District.
    [Show full text]
  • Washington State's Scenic Byways & Road Trips
    waShington State’S Scenic BywayS & Road tRipS inSide: Road Maps & Scenic drives planning tips points of interest 2 taBLe of contentS waShington State’S Scenic BywayS & Road tRipS introduction 3 Washington State’s Scenic Byways & Road Trips guide has been made possible State Map overview of Scenic Byways 4 through funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program, Washington State Department of Transportation and aLL aMeRican RoadS Washington State Tourism. waShington State depaRtMent of coMMeRce Chinook Pass Scenic Byway 9 director, Rogers Weed International Selkirk Loop 15 waShington State touRiSM executive director, Marsha Massey nationaL Scenic BywayS Marketing Manager, Betsy Gabel product development Manager, Michelle Campbell Coulee Corridor 21 waShington State depaRtMent of tRanSpoRtation Mountains to Sound Greenway 25 Secretary of transportation, Paula Hammond director, highways and Local programs, Kathleen Davis Stevens Pass Greenway 29 Scenic Byways coordinator, Ed Spilker Strait of Juan de Fuca - Highway 112 33 Byway leaders and an interagency advisory group with representatives from the White Pass Scenic Byway 37 Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife, Washington State Tourism, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and State Scenic BywayS Audubon Washington were also instrumental in the creation of this guide. Cape Flattery Tribal Scenic Byway 40 puBLiShing SeRviceS pRovided By deStination
    [Show full text]
  • The Damnation of a Dam : the High Ross Dam Controversy
    THE DAMYIATION OF A DAM: TIIE HIGH ROSS DAM CONTROVERSY TERRY ALLAN SIblMONS A. B., University of California, Santa Cruz, 1968 A THESIS SUBIUTTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Geography SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY May 1974 All rights reserved. This thesis may not b? reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Terry Allan Simmons Degree: Master of Arts Title of Thesis: The Damnation of a Dam: The High Ross Dam Controversy Examining Committee: Chairman: F. F. Cunningham 4 E.. Gibson Seni Supervisor / /( L. J. Evendon / I. K. Fox ernal Examiner Professor School of Community and Regional Planning University of British Columbia PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENSE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser University rhe righc to lcnd my thesis or dissertation (the title of which is shown below) to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. I further agree that permission for multiple copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed ' without my written permission. Title of' ~hesis /mqqmkm: The Damnation nf a nam. ~m -Author: / " (signature ) Terrv A. S.imrnonze (name ) July 22, 1974 (date) ABSTRACT In 1967, after nearly fifty years of preparation, inter- national negotiations concerning the construction of the High Ross Dan1 on the Skagit River were concluded between the Province of British Columbia and the City of Seattle.
    [Show full text]
  • 1968 Mountaineer Outings
    The Mountaineer The Mountaineer 1969 Cover Photo: Mount Shuksan, near north boundary North Cascades National Park-Lee Mann Entered as second-class matter, April 8, 1922, at Post Office, Seattle, Wash., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published monthly and semi-monthly during June by The Mountaineers, P.O. Box 122, Seattle, Washington 98111. Clubroom is at 7191h Pike Street, Seattle. Subscription price monthly Bulletin and Annual, $5.00 per year. EDITORIAL STAFF: Alice Thorn, editor; Loretta Slat­ er, Betty Manning. Material and photographs should be submitted to The Mountaineers, at above address, before Novem­ ber 1, 1969, for consideration. Photographs should be black and white glossy prints, 5x7, with caption and photographer's name on back. Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced and include writer's name, address and phone number. foreword Since the North Cascades National Park was indubi­ tably the event of this past year, this issue of The Mountaineer attempts to record aspects of that event. Many other magazines and groups have celebrated by now, of course, but hopefully we have managed to avoid total redundancy. Probably there will be few outward signs of the new management in the park this summer. A great deal of thinking and planning is in progress as the Park Serv­ ice shapes its policies and plans developments. The North Cross-State highway, while accessible by four­ wheel vehicle, is by no means fully open to the public yet. So, visitors and hikers are unlikely to "see" the changeover to park status right away. But the first articles in this annual reveal both the thinking and work which led to the park, and the think­ ing which must now be done about how the park is to be used.
    [Show full text]
  • North Cascades and Skagit Watershed Eco-Facts
    North Cascades and Skagit Watershed Eco-facts THE SKAGIT RIVER The Skagit River begins in southern British Columbia and flows 120 miles to Puget Sound, passing right by the Learning Center as Diablo Lake. In volume of water, it is the third largest river on the west coast of the contiguous United States. It is fed by over 3,000 streams and drains the largest watershed in the Puget Sound basin, an area roughly the size of Delaware. The Skagit is the only river system in Washington that supports all five species of salmon: Chinook, chum, Coho, pink and sockeye. It is home to six of the region’s 22 populations of threatened Chinook salmon and contains the largest listed bull trout, pink salmon and steelhead stocks in Washington. The Skagit Delta also supports huge concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors, including trumpeter and tundra swans, snow geese, gray- bellied brant, rough-legged hawks, peregrine falcons and one of the nation’s largest gatherings of bald eagles. NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAINS Thrust up from the ocean floor in a tectonic collision millions of years ago, the North Cascades have been chiseled by glaciers into a jagged mountain realm full of sharp, stony peaks, deep valleys and long lakes. The North Cascades are part of the American Cordillera, the mountain chain that stretches more than 12,000 from Tierra del Fuego to the Alaskan Peninsula. Mile for mile, the North Cascades are steeper and wetter than nearly any other range in the conterminous U.S., and they are the most glaciated American mountains outside of Alaska.
    [Show full text]
  • Ross Lake National Recreation Area Within North Q Baker Lake Cascades National Park Service Complex
    ' »* » « L i r * ' IwJ^I WM Mt. Shuksan of North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker of Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Welcome to National Park and National Forest lands of the North Cascades. Recreational Located east of 1-5, there are many opportunities for you to enjoy this area with easy access Opportunities from several major highways. Start in the north and take a drive on the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway page 2 (State Route 542). This route begins in Bellingham, winds along the North Fork of the Nooksack River, and, from the town of Glacier, climbs 24 miles to an elevation of 5,100 feet at Artist Point in Heather Meadows. This destination is legendary for spectacular views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan and surrounding peaks. For other stunning vistas, follow the northern part of the Cascade Loop along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20). A side trip up the Baker Lake Road, 16 miles east of Sedro-Woolley, leads into the Baker Lake Basin, which features campgrounds, water recreation, and numerous trails. Trip Planning and Safety page 3 The 125-mile Skagit Wild and Scenic River System - made up of segments of the Skagit, Cascade, Sauk, and Suiattle rivers - provides important wildlife habitat and recreation. The Skagit River is home to one of the largest winter populations of bald eagles in the United States and provides spawning grounds for one-third of all salmon in Puget Sound. The North Cascades Scenic Highway winds east £ through the gateway communities of Concrete, D Rockport, and Marblemount before reaching Ross Lake National Recreation Area within North Q Baker Lake Cascades National Park Service Complex.
    [Show full text]
  • North Cascades National Park I Mcallister Cutthroat Pass A
    To Hope, B.C. S ka 40mi 64km gi t R iv er Chilliwack S il Lake v e CHILLIWACK LAKE SKAGIT VALLEY r MANNING - S k a g PROVINCIAL PARK PROVINCIAL PARK i PROVINCIAL PARK t Ross Lake R o a d British Columbia CANADA Washington Hozomeen UNITED STATES S i Hozomeen Mountain le Silver Mount Winthrop s Sil Hoz 8066ft ia ve o Castle Peak 7850ft Lake r m 2459m Cr 8306ft 2393m ee e k e 2532m MOUNT BAKER WILDERNESS Little Jackass n C Mount Spickard re Mountain T B 8979ft r e l e a k i ar R 4387ft Hozomeen Castle Pass 2737m i a e d l r C ou 1337m T r b Lake e t G e k Mount Redoubt lacie 4-wheel-drive k r W c 8969ft conditions east Jack i Ridley Lake Twin a l of this point 2734m P lo w er Point i ry w k Lakes l Joker Mountain e l L re i C ak 7603ft n h e l r C R Tra ee i C i Copper Mountain a e re O l Willow 2317m t r v e le n 7142ft T i R k t F a e S k s o w R Lake a 2177m In d S e r u e o C k h g d e u c r Goat Mountain d i b u i a Hopkins t C h 6890ft R k n c Skagit Peak Pass C 2100m a C rail Desolation Peak w r r T 6800ft li Cre e ave 6102ft er il ek e e Be 2073m 542 p h k Littl 1860m p C o Noo R C ks i n a Silver Fir v k latio k ck c e ee Deso e Ro Cree k r Cr k k l e il e i r B e N a r Trail a C To Glacier r r O T r C Thre O u s T e Fool B (U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Naturally Appealing: a Scenic Gateway in Washington's North
    Naturally Appealing A scenic getaway in Washington’s North Cascades | By Scott Driscoll s o u r h i k i n g g r o u p arrives at the top of Heather Park, about 110 miles northeast of Seattle. Pass in Washington state’s North Cascades, The Park Service is celebrating the park’s we hear several low, guttural grunts. 40th birthday this year, and also the 20th anni- “That’s the sound of my heart after versary of the Washing- ton Park Wilderness seeing a bear,” comments a female hiker. She Act, which designated 94 percent of the park chuckles a trifle nervously, and we all look around. as wilderness. This area’s “majestic Those grunts sound like they’re coming from more mountain scenery, snowfields, glaciers, than one large animal. alpine meadows, lakes and other unique glaci- Whatever’s causing the sound remains well hid- ated features” were cited den behind huckleberries, subalpine firs and boul- as some of the reasons ders, but Libby Mills, our naturalist guide, sets our Congress chose to pro- minds at ease. “Those tect the land in 1968 are male dusky grouse,” “for the benefit, use and she assures us. “They’re inspiration of present competing for female and future generations.” attention.” Those natural fea- She explains that they tures are also among the make the grunting reasons the Park Service sound by inhaling air posted this quote—from CAROLYN WATERS into pink sacs—one at 19th century Scottish each side of the neck— botanist David Douglas, one of the early explorers of and then releasing the the Pacific Northwest and the person for whom the air.
    [Show full text]