The challenging task of the American Alps Legacy Proposal is to address long-term conservation issues, to assure that pristine backcountry areas are not damaged by any recommended changes, to enhance non-motorized front-country recreation access for families, and to be open-minded about the existing recreation uses in the area.
The American Alps proposal will support maintaining many of the existing recreation uses on the proposed new park lands. This can be accomplished through explicit legislative language. We would like to see backcountry party-size limits for non-profit groups providing outdoor experiences for youth maintained at their current level. Mountain biking on the most popular mountain biking trails in the area could be continued. Dog walking could be allowed in areas where it will not significantly impact wildlife or the outdoor experiences of other visitors.
Other recreation uses will not be impacted much by the American Alps proposal. Horseback riding is allowed in national parks and will continue as a recreation activity. Snowmobile use will still be possible on State Route 20 (state highway right-of-way that is regulated by the Washington State Department of Transportation). The American Alps proposal will accept environmentally compatible snowmobile access to the Hart’s Pass road. The areas around State Route 20 and Hart’s Pass will remain available to backcountry skiers who use snowmobiles for access. Backpacking and hiking will continue unchanged under park management, with the minor annoyance (major to a few) of obtaining permits for backcountry camping.
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Ancient Forest in Baker River valley
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Other recreation activities will be impacted by the American Alps proposal. We have tried to reduce those impacts. Several hunting areas have been excluded from the American Alps proposal. These include the Sauk Mountain to Baker Lake area, lands south of the Cascade River, and the portion of the National Recreation Area east of Ross Lake. Other areas, especially along the State Route 20 corridor where family recreation is more prevalent, would be converted to front-country park and would no longer be available for hunting. The American Alps proposal will support continuation of the existing heli-skiing permit for the full term of the permit (nearly a decade). At that point, the National Park Service would need to evaluate whether this recreation use should continue.
Family-friendly recreation opportunities should be increased substantially along the State Route 20 corridor. That means adding new amenities specifically for children and young adults with children. The American Alps proposal will include 25 miles of new front-country trails, multiple ecotourism and cultural interpretation sites, and a waterfall tour. The proposal will also include new and more accessible park visitor centers in Marblemount and Winthrop.
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North side of Easy Pass
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