Mountain beauty, gorgeous lakes and waterfalls are hidden in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, south of the North Cascades Highway, and the Pasayten Wilderness, located in northern Okanogan County.
     The Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness offers places with such enticing names as Tuckaway Lake ane Surprise Lake.
     It straddles the divide between the Methow and Lake Chelan valleys. It was designated in 1984, encompasses an area of nearly 146,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife.
     The wilderness and neighboring Lake Chelan National Recreation Area offer a diverse mixture of dense forest, lush meadows and alpine slopes that draw backpackers, horse packers, anglers and hunters.
     Access is by boat via Lake Chelan or on foot or horseback.
     The 520,000-acre Pasayten Wilderness was created in 1968 along with North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Pasayten previously was known as the North Cascades Primitive Area.
     The Pasayten is bounded on the north by Canada, on the south by the Okanogan National Forest, the west by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and on the east by the Okanogan forest and the Loomis State Forest.
     Group sizes and amount of stock per party is limited in wilderness areas. Small groups are compatible to the wilderness experience, while large groups tend to have a negative impact on camping areas and other visitors, warn wilderness officials.
     Use of motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment is prohibited in wilderness areas. Landing of aircraft and air drops also are prohibited.
     Pets are allowed, but need to be under control at all times.
     More information is available from the Methow Valley Ranger District, 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862; (509) 996-2266; www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka.