Thirteenmile

Located in the Kettle Mountain Range, Thirteenmile Roadless Area is well known for its big old ponderosa pines along the trail leading up through the rocky canyon from the Thirteenmile trailhead near the San Poil River. With the lowest light pollution possible in the continental United States, the silvery splatter of the Milky Way appears brighter than ever, making a remote hike on Thirteenmile’s revered 16-mile trail a rare wilderness experience.

Thirteenmile harbors 12,000 acres of lynx habitat and many acres of wolverine and American marten habitat. The canyon and uplands are thick with plant life underrepresented elsewhere in Washington, such as cottonwood trees. Road construction, which disrupts habitats and introduces noxious weeds, is the biggest threat to the health of Thirteenmile and its inhabitants. The future is hopeful for Thirteenmile. Three Research Natural Areas proposed within the roadless area’s boundaries recognize the diverse and special nature of the area.