Mount Thielsen Wilderness

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mount Thielsen Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location Oregon, USA
Nearest city Chemult, Oregon
Coordinates 43°12′30″N 122°00′45″W / 43.20833, -122.0125
Area 55,100 acres (223 km²)
Established 1984
Governing body United States Forest Service

The Mount Thielsen Wilderness is a wilderness area located on and around Mount Thielsen in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon, United States. It is located within the Deschutes, Umpqua, and Winema National Forests. It was established by the United States Congress in 1984 and comprises 55,100 acres (223 km²).[1][2]

Contents

[edit] Topography

Mount Thielsen Wilderness ranges in elevation from 5,000 acres (20 km²) to 9,182 acres (37.16 km²) at the summit of Mount Thielsen. The mountain was carved by glacial activity and is sometimes referred to the "Lightning Rod of the Cascades." To the south of the Wilderness is Crater Lake National Park. The rest of the Wilderness consists of flat and moderately rolling hills, which change to very steep and sharply dissected ridges toward the crest of the Cascade Mountains.[3][4]

Popular lakes in the Wilderness include Lake Lucille or Maidu Lake. The headwaters of the Wild and Scenic North Umpqua River can be found at Maidu.[5]

[edit] Vegetation

Mt. Thielsen from Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
Mt. Thielsen from Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Lodgepole pine dominate the lower portion of the Mount Thielsen Wilderness. A forest of mountain hemlock and fir grows at higher elevations, up to the timberline at about 7,200 feet (2,200 m).[4]

[edit] Recreation

Primary recreational activities in Mount Thielsen Wilderness include camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and rock climbing. There are approximately 78 miles (126 km) of hiking trails in the Wilderness, including a 26 miles (42 km) portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.[3][4]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links