Middle Santiam Wilderness

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Middle Santiam Wilderness
Middle Santiam Wilderness Pool Shedd Camp.jpg
A pool in the wilderness
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Red pog.svg
Location Linn County, Oregon, U.S.
Nearest city Sweet Home, Oregon
Coordinates 44°34′28.36″N122°16′38.07″W / 44.5745444°N 122.2772417°W / 44.5745444; -122.2772417 Coordinates: 44°34′28.36″N122°16′38.07″W / 44.5745444°N 122.2772417°W / 44.5745444; -122.2772417
Area8,542 acres (3,457 ha)
Established1984
Governing body United States Forest Service

The Middle Santiam Wilderness is a wilderness area located near Mount Washington in the central Cascade Range of Oregon, U.S., within the Willamette National Forest.

Contents

Topography

The Middle Santiam Wilderness ranges from steep slopes, high peaks, and ridges at the higher elevations to gently sloping and bench-like terrain in the lower elevations. The most prominent features include Donaca Lake, the Middle Santiam River, and the 4,965-foot Chimney Peak, a lava plug in the northwestern portion of the Wilderness. Not far to the south of the Middle Santiam Wilderness lies Menagerie Wilderness. [1] [2]

Flora and fauna

Much of the Middle Santiam Wilderness is forested with mature stands of old growth estimated to be 450 years old and 200 feet (61 m) tall. [2] Douglas-fir, western redcedar and western hemlock grow at lower elevations and true firs near the ridgelines. Native fish populations, including Chinook salmon during spawning season, thrive in both the Santiam River and Donaca Lake. [1] [2]

Map of the wilderness area and its surroundings Middle Santiam Wilderness map.gif
Map of the wilderness area and its surroundings

See also

Related Research Articles

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Willamette National Forest

The Willamette National Forest is a National Forest located in the central portion of the Cascade Range of the U.S. state of Oregon. It comprises 1,678,031 acres (6,790.75 km2). Over 380,000 acres are designated wilderness which include seven major mountain peaks. There are also several National Wild and Scenic Rivers within the forest. The forest is named for the Willamette River, which has its headwaters in the forest. The forest headquarters are located in the city of Springfield. There are local ranger district offices in McKenzie Bridge, Detroit, Sweet Home, and Westfir.

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Deschutes National Forest

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Sky Lakes Wilderness

The Sky Lakes Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Rogue River–Siskiyou and Fremont–Winema national forests in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon in the United States. It comprises 116,300 acres (47,100 ha), of which 75,695 acres (30,633 ha) are in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest and 40,605 acres (16,432 ha) are in the Fremont–Winema National Forest. It was established in 1984 under the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Mount Jefferson Wilderness

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Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness

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Oregon Coast Range

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References

  1. 1 2 Middle Santiam Wilderness. Willamette National Forest, U.S. Forest Service.
  2. 1 2 3 Middle Santiam Wilderness Archived 2010-01-19 at the Wayback Machine . GORP.com.