Detailed Map

CLEARWATER WILDERNESS
Mt. Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest 21905 64th Ave. West
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(206) 744-3401
Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/

The Clearwater Wilderness, created by Congress in the 1984 Wilderness Legislation, is in northeast Pierce county, southeast of Tacoma. Bordered on the south by Mt. Rainier National Park this small 14,300 acre wilderness affords many outstanding views. The views of Mt. Rainier are one of the attractions of this Wilderness.

The area is drained by the Clearwater River and the headwaters of the east fork of Prairie Creek. Topography is generally moderate, interspersed with some steep and rock areas. Vegetation is typical west slope of the Cascades type, including cedars, Douglas-fir, true firs, western and mountain hemlock, and at higher elevations, alpine meadows. Large, old-growth timber can be viewed in the lower reaches of the Clearwater drainage. This Wilderness contains 8 small lakes with the Summit Lake area being the most popular. Because of the use in the Summit Lake area you are encourage to take advantage of other areas of this Wilderness. Views of Mt. Rainier, as well as solitude, are offered elsewhere.