The Mountaineers
Last week, Mountaineers conservation staff and our Outdoor Alliance Washington (OA Washington) partners enjoyed a scenic hike on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with Representative Rick Larsen, members of his staff, and local land managers. The Congressman was eager to spend time on public lands in the North Cascades with recreation stakeholders during this year’s summer congressional district work period. These relationship-building opportunities with lawmakers and their staff represent one of the ways OA Washington is building bipartisan support for public lands and outdoor recreation initiatives in Congress.
Since 2001, Congressman Larsen has represented Washington’s second congressional district, which includes part of Snohomish County and all of Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties. Rep. Larsen serves as Ranking Member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he advocates to protect investments in transit, infrastructure, and climate action including through opportunities in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. He personally enjoys hiking and birdwatching and understands the importance of public lands and outdoor opportunities to his community.
After initial introductions at the trailhead, we hiked among lush old-growth forest adjacent to the blue-green waters of Baker Lake. We chatted about the natural beauty of Washington’s second district as we hiked two miles along the Baker Lake Trail to Anderson Point. A stop at Anderson point provided a beautiful vista of Mt. Baker as we discussed how to advance shared interests during a challenging time in the other Washington.
Recreation partners discuss public lands issues with Rep. Larsen along the Baker Lake Trail. Photo by Mountaineers staff.
Members of our group shared timely examples of challenges stemming from a significantly reduced federal land manager workforce and about the potential impact of rolling back the Roadless Rule protections for nearly 45 million acres of national forests, including 2 million in Washington state.
Hikers had to scramble across the slippery rocks of Anderson Creek because the footbridge had washed away and hasn't yet been replaced. Staff reductions at the Forest Service have resulted in decreased capacity to carry out trail projects.
Hike participants scrambling over Anderson Creek. Photo by Washington Trails Association Staff.
The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest’s Mount Baker Ranger District provides an important backdrop for Mountaineers programming. Over the last three and a half years, we’ve connected more than 3,600 participants to that area of the forest through 400 trips. The Baker Lake area alone has seen 25 Mountaineers trips for hiking, backpacking, and youth programs.
The Baker Lake Trail and surrounding Roadless Areas are one of the many recreation destinations protected by the Roadless Rule and threatened by the current administration. For example, the nearby Noisy Diobsud area is the largest undeveloped expanse of wildlands left in Washington without permanent protection. We thank Rep. Larsen for co-sponsoring the Roadless Area Conservation Act - legislation that would achieve permanent, legislative protection for our national forest Roadless Areas.
Baker Lake. Photo by Mountaineers staff.
Rep. Larsen shared the need to look past short term crises and think about positive framing for durable solutions that support the agencies caring for our natural resources and protecting the environment. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with Congressman Larsen to invest in our public lands and trails and protect Washington’s exceptional backcountry recreational opportunities.
A version of this post will also appear on Outdoor Alliance’s blog.
