Mt. Washington rises above 75 square miles of lava-strewn plains. This is a geological wonderland which includes Belknap Crater, a 6,873 foot cinder and ash volcanic cone. There are 28 lakes in the Wilderness.
Mt. Washington Wilderness area covers 54,278 total acres. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail extends for 16.6 miles through the Mt. Washington Wilderness. It is the primary trail and extends from the north boundary near Big Lake to where it leaves the wilderness at its southern boundary near the Dee Wright Observatory.Vegetation consists of lodgepole pine and associated species as well as mountain hemlock.
Know Before You Go
- Starting in 2021, all overnight and some day use visitors to the Mt. Washington Wilderness between the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and October 31.
- Wilderness Permits are required when visiting the Mt. Washington Wilderness between the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and October 31.
- Learn about Wilderness Regulations, including special area regulations in the Mt. Washington Wilderness.
- If visiting between the first Friday after Memorial Day and last Friday in September, you must carry a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit.
- ''Leave No Trace'' techniques are encouraged in Wilderness areas, including properly disposing of human and pet waste and carrying out all trash.
- There are no facilities within the Mt. Washington Wilderness.
- Find out about the Weed Free Feed Requirement and other good Know Before You Go tips.
