News Release

Public Input Sought on Relocation of Trail and Camp in Thunder Creek Area

Date: April 3, 2020

The public is invited to comment on a preliminary proposal for repair and reroute of a portion of the lower Thunder Creek Trail, relocation of a hiker camp, and creation of an administrative camp along the trail.  The entire project is proposed within the Stephen Mather Wilderness.  

Per the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), North Cascades National Park Service Complex intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the effects of the proposal and other alternatives.  The proposed action would reroute approximately 1,500 feet of trail, relocate a hiker and group camp in the vicinity of McAllister Camp on Thunder Creek Trail, and construct a new administrative camp near Junction Camp.

The purpose of this action is to minimize the impacts of hiker and stock use along the trail, thereby preserving the character of the designated wilderness.
Feedback on the proposed action, environmental issues that should be addressed, other potential alternatives, and sources of data that should be considered by the NPS are requested. Specific feedback on the proposed action as it relates to visitor experience is also sought. 

To review the proposal and provide electronic comments, go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ThunderRelo2020. Comments will be accepted April 2 through May 1, 2020. Hardcopy comments can be mailed to: Superintendent, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.

Following this review, alternatives will be refined and required environmental analysis completed. The EA will be provided for public review in late summer 2020. 

www.nps.gov/noca