View source for Stikine-LeConte Wilderness

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
[[Image:Stikine River.gif|thumb|right|The Stikine River]]
The '''Stikine-LeConte Wilderness''' is on the mainland of southeast [[Alaska]], southeast of [[Petersburg, Alaska|Petersburg]] and north of [[Wrangell, Alaska]]. The boundary extends from [[Frederick Sound]] on the west to the [[Canada–United States border|Alaska–Canada boundary]] on the east. The wilderness is {{convert|448841|acre|ha}} in size.<ref name="USFS">{{USDA|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512064156/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/forest_facts/resources/wilderness/sawld.html|article=Stikine-LeConte Wilderness}}</ref> It is part of [[Tongass National Forest]], which is managed by the [[United States Forest Service]].

==Description==
One of the major features of this area is the [[Stikine River]], which flows through the southern portion of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. The river valley is relatively narrow. The surrounding mountains are steep, rugged, and contain numerous [[glacier]]s. Meltwater from these glaciers has a high [[silt]] content, giving the Stikine River a milky appearance. The [[river delta]] is highly braided with three main navigable channels. Two warm and one [[hot spring]]s are found along the river. North of the Stikine River area is the [[LeConte Glacier]], which flows into [[LeConte Bay]]. LeConte Glacier is the southernmost glacier in North America that flows directly into salt water. Mountains in the area of LeConte Bay are steep and most of the upper valleys are glacier-filled. Glaciers and ice fields cover most of the rugged, mountainous area in the eastern part of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness.<ref name="USFS"/>

Alpine vegetation, including [[moss]]es, [[lichen]]s, and other small plants, is found at the upper elevations. The lower mountain slopes near salt water support a dense [[spruce]]-[[tsuga|hemlock]] [[rainforest]]. Closer to the Canada–US border, the rain decreases and the vegetation changes to stands of [[Populus trichocarpa|cottonwood]]. Cottonwood are also common on the many islands of the Stikine. The valley floor along the river is a combination of [[muskeg]]s and dense [[alder]] and [[willow]] thickets. The Stikine River delta is approximately {{Convert|17|mi|km}} wide and consists of [[grass flat]]s, [[tidal marsh]], and [[sand bar]]s.<ref name="USFS"/>

Much of the area, particularly the Stikine River drainage, is recognized as an important fish and wildlife area. [[Moose]], [[mountain goat]]s, [[brown bear]] and [[American Black Bear|black bear]], [[deer]], and [[wolves]] inhabit the area. The delta flats of the Stikine River are a major resting and nesting area for migratory birds. A variety of fish, including [[king salmon|king]] and other species of [[salmon]], are found in the waters of the area. Up to 2000 [[eagle]]s congregate in the mouth of the river, following a run of [[smelt (fish)|smelt]].<ref name="USFS"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

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{{Protected Areas of Alaska}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stikine-Leconte Wilderness}}
[[Category:IUCN Category Ib]]
[[Category:Wilderness areas of Alaska]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Wrangell, Alaska]]
[[Category:Tongass National Forest]]