Salmo-Priest Wilderness
Salmo-Priest Wilderness | |
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Location | Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States |
Nearest city | Metaline Falls, Washington |
Area | 41,335 acres (167.28 km2) |
Established | 1984 |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Salmo-Priest Wilderness is a 41,335 acre (167.28 km2) wilderness area located in the Selkirk Mountains in the northeast corner of Washington state, within the Colville National Forest and the Kaniksu National Forest.
Topography
The high-country Salmo-Priest Wilderness is a somewhat wishbone-shaped area atop two Selkirk Range ridges that intersect at 6,828-foot (2,081 m) Salmo Mountain. The eastern ridge is somewhat lower, more wooded, more rounded off, and therefore more accessible than the steep-sided, rocky-crested western ridge. Streams have cut deep drainages into both ridges, which flow into Idaho's Priest River on the east and Sullivan Creek and the Salmo River into the Pend Oreille River on the west.[1]
Wildlife
This rugged area is home to several endangered and threatened species, including woodland caribou, grizzly bears, and gray wolves.[2] The Selkirk Mountains are the last remaining refuge for woodland caribou in the contiguous United States, particularly the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.[3][4] Common wildlife include mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, black bears, cougars, bobcats, badgers, pine martens, lynx, bighorn sheep, and moose.[1]
Vegetation
Much of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness is made up of Douglas fir and western hemlock. Old growth red cedar is also present in the wilderness.[5]
Other protected areas
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail traverses the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Approximately 23 miles of the 1,200 mile PNT lie within the wilderness. The 29.7-mile (47.8 km) Shedroof Divide Trail, designated a National Recreation Trail in 1981, also lies in the wilderness.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Wilderness.net: Salmo-Priest Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- ^ "The Salmo-Priest Wilderness and roadless area". Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ^ "Mammals of Eastern Washington". Archived from the original on 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ^ "Colville National Forest - Wildlife". Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- ^ "GORP Salmo-Priest Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- ^ "Shedroof Divide". American Trails. 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
External links
- Salmo-Priest Wilderness U.S. Forest Service