News Release

Stephen Mather Wilderness Projects Announced

Date: June 25, 2020
Contact: Brandon Torres

Sedro Woolley, WA–Five projects are planned during the 2020 summer season in the Stephen Mather Wilderness to re-supply two remote fire lookout towers, remove and replace high alpine composting toilet systems, deliver supplies for trail / re-vegetation projects, deliver a large metal gate at a historic mine entrance, and remove steel beams from a washed out bridge.

Due to the remote locations, the projects will include helicopter flights. Project flights have been combined when possible to reduce the number of flights needed to accomplish the work. All flights are weather-dependent, and dates may shift by several days to accommodate weather changes.

June 26: One flight to resupply the Desolation and Cooper Ridge fire lookouts

July 9: Approximately eight flights into the wilderness will be required to complete planned work. These project flights were originally scheduled to occur this spring however, slow snow melt-out this year has pushed this project into summer. Work to be accomplished includes:

• Removal and replacement of full composting toilets in the Cascade Pass area (Boston Basin, Sahale Arm, Pelton Basin and Basin Creek);
• Delivery of split cedar rails and re-vegetation materials for a trail project on Sahale Arm Trail;
• Transport of a metal, bat-friendly gate in the Cascade Pass area. Managers have combined several different projects into one day of flight activity to minimize impacts of in these areas that are inaccessible to stock.

September 9: Removal of large steel I-beams from a washed out bridge near the McCallister hiker campsite.

There are no long-term trail closures planned during these projects, however visitor access may be temporarily restricted at project sites during flight operations. All flights are subject to last minute schedule changes due to weather and emergency incidents. Updated information on the date flights will occur will be posted on the park Facebook page @NorthCascadesNationalPark.