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Clearwater Wilderness
Description
Trails
Notes
| | Name | Clearwater Wilderness | | Iucn Category | Ib | | Locator X | 30 | | Locator Y | 11 | | Location | Washington, United States | | Nearest City | Buckley, Washington | | Lat Degrees | 47 | | Lat Minutes | 03 | | Lat Seconds | 28 | | Lat Direction | N | | Long Degrees | 121 | | Long Minutes | 49 | | Long Seconds | 27 | | Long Direction | W | | Area | area | | Established | 1984 |
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Description
Bearhead Mountain, the highest peak, is 6,089 feet high. Below are the headwaters of the north-flowing Clearwater River. Old-growth forests of Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar, reachable by hiking trails, are nourished by many streams and eight small lakes, including Summit Lake. Forest understorey is made up mostly of ferns and moss. The rainy season between October and May receives 90 percent of the annual rainfall, which can be as much as 25 feet, while snow can remain as late as July in high areas.•
Cascades wildlife typically includes bears, deer, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, marmots, and a few herds of elk.
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Trails
Summit Lake trail is an easy 2.5 mile hike (5 mile round trip) up 1500 feet to a beautiful, blue Summit Lake where to the south there are wonderful views of Mount Rainier.•
Clearwater Trail is an 6 mile 2000 foot descent to the peaceful Clearwater River. The trail continues to Lily Creek and climbs to a small lake, Cedar Lake, ringed by forests.•
Summit Lake and Bearhead Mountain trail is a moderate 9 mile hike 2000 feet up to the highest point in the wilderness area, offering wonderful views of Mount Rainier from a meadow filled with wildflowers.•
Carbon Trail meanders south for 9.4 miles to join the Summit Lake Trail.
The National Wilderness Preservation System website provides a list of things to consider when planning a trip to a wilderness.•
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Notes
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