South of the gently steaming, truncated summit of Mt. St. Helens, lies a hidden wilderness that has stood the test of time through fire, volcanic ash, Ole Creek has largely been forgotten by chainsaws and is part of one of the last unprotected wilderness areas in Washington State. Sadly, this rainforest paradise may soon have its heart ripped out by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, who intend to clearcut 147 acres and build miles of roads through virgin forest and sell it off in the "Serenity Now" timber sale.
This is in spite of a popular hiking trail that runs through the area, provides the last viable day hiking access to the spectacular summit of Mt. Mitchell. This trail would be destroyed by the timber sale. The forests is also in spite of the immense ecological loss of a this complex and diverse forest, as well as the significant CO2 emissions that would be emitted by the operation.
Furthermore, this is a subalpine forest at high elevation. The trees are old, but not especially valuable, and regeneration of this forest after it is cut will take significantly longer than in lower elevation forests. Ole Creek is far more valuable for its ecology, its opportunities for recreation, and for carbon storage.
Ole Creek must be saved, and you can help save it by writing to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, as well as to Governor Inslee and your state representatives and tell them to stop the "Serenity Now" timber sale, and to preserve this wilderness and this incredible ancient forest as a natural area.
For more information on how to help, visit: https://www.c4rf.org/serenity-now
Please send your comments by Wednesday, June 30th so that they will be considered by the Board of Commissioners when they meat the following week (Tuesday the 6th) when they are scheduled to vote on the timber sale. It would be amazing if you could attend and speak at the meeting, which is hosted on Zoom.
UPDATE: The Board of Natural Resources approved the sale today despite strong public objection. Your comments are even more important now than ever!
A trail guide and driving directions are available on OregonHikers.org: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Mount_Mitchell_via_Sugarloaf_Trail_Hike
Photos from Ole Creek:
