Owl Mountain

Part of the northern Kettle River Range, Owl Mountain Roadless Area has sweeping views of the Kettle River Valley to the west and Canada to the north. Its ancient red cedar, western larch, Engelmann spruce, and Douglas fir provide an exceedingly diverse habitat; it also contains three plants listed as sensitive by Washington State—sticky polemonium, scalloped moonwort, and stalked moonwort.

Owl Mountain is important to protect because it links essential habitat in British Columbia to Washington. For example, some 35 grizzly bears inhabit areas just to the north in BC. Canada lynx, elk, pine marten, and mule deer also use this area for safe passage. Not all animals are just crossing through, however, as Owl Mountain offers almost 8,000 acres of wolverine habitat as well as habitat for Canada lynx and pine marten.

Packed full of old-growth forests and, in particular, shrub lands, poorly represented in protected areas in Washington, Owl Mountain would make a significant addition to designated wilderness in our state.