| Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness | |
|---|---|
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IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
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 Summit of Oregon Butte |
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| Location | Wallowa County, Oregon and Columbia / Garfield / Asotin counties, Washington, USA |
| Nearest city | Milton-Freewater, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington |
| Coordinates | 45°59′59″N 117°46′00″W / 45.99972°N 117.76667°WCoordinates: 45°59′59″N 117°46′00″W / 45.99972°N 117.76667°W |
| Area | 177,423 acres (71,801 ha) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington, United States.[1] It was created by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 and encompasses 177,423 acres (71,801 ha) in the Umatilla National Forest — 66,375 acres (26,861 ha) in Oregon and 111,048 acres (44,940 ha) in Washington.[1][2]
Contents |
Topography [edit]
The Wehana–Tucannon Wilderness consists primarily of rugged basaltic ridges separated by deep canyons with steep slopes. Much of the area's watershed drains through into Oregon's Wenaha River, although some of it flows north into Washington's Tucannon River. The Wilderness ranges in elevation from 2,000 feet (610 m) on the Wild and Scenic Wenaha River to 6,401 feet (1,951 m) atop Oregon Butte.[3]
Vegetation [edit]
Ponderosa pine dominates the lower drainages of the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness. Above about 4,500 feet (1,400 m), it transitions to a forest of lodgepole pine with some species of larch, fir, and spruce as well. Subalpine fir, native grasses, and forbs are found at the highest elevations of the Wilderness.[1][3]
Wildlife [edit]
The Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife, including Shira's moose,[4] Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, cougar, grey wolf,[5] coyote, snowshoe hare, rattlesnake, and pine marten. Both the Tucannon and Wenaha Rivers provide spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.[1][3]
Recreation [edit]
Popular recreational activities in the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness include camping, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and hiking the area's 200 miles (320 km) of trails. Elk hunting and fishing are also popular pastimes in the Wilderness.[1][3]
See also [edit]
- List of Oregon Wildernesses
- List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
- National Wilderness Preservation System
- Wilderness Act
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Umatilla National Forest: Wilderness". United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ "GORP: Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ a b c d "Wilderness.net: Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2008/january/012508.asp
- ^ http://www.dfw.state.or.us/Wolves/index.asp
External links [edit]
- Wineha–Tucannon Wilderness - Umatilla National Forest
- "Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness: Images". Retrieved 2007-12-21.
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