[carlb328]

I read recently that the most remote spot in the lower 48 is in Yellowstone. Part of the park is around 21-22 miles from the nearest road in any direction, which really doesn't sound that big to me. So I'm wondering what the most remote spot in Washington is according to the same criteria. I would think that the north cascades near Ross lake, or maybe the Passayten wilderness or Goat rocks area would be the most remote from roads, what do you think? (I don't know if they mean just paved roads or any roads, I guess I should look that up).

[dicey]

I think there is a difference in remote=distance from roads and remote=inaccessability. In regards to the latter, my guess would be in the pickets. One of the biggest features in the Pickets, or anywhere in the Cascades, is the SW Ridge of Mount Fury’s West Peak. The USGS topo reveals that it rises 4000ft in about a mile, interrupted repeatedly by deep notches and towering gendarmes. In addition to its size, the SW Ridge is unsurpassed in remoteness in the notoriously remote Picket Range. John Roper, who has systematically bagged nearly every pinnacle in the Pickets, drew the line at the towers of Mount Fury’s SW Ridge. He mused that the final pinnacle on that ridge might be the most inaccessible point in Washington State, calling it “The Pole of Remoteness.” NWMJ #4 Full Article

[Conrad]

The Goat Rocks I doubt. The Pasayten near the Boundary Trail looks like a good candidate. Also the heart of the Olympics.

[Phil]

I like dicey's remote=inaccessability definition. Still, it's intrigueing to think of the spot farthest from a road in Wa. Maybe middle of ONP, its such a massive hunk of land? I don't have north cascades geography down enough to compare. There is this quiet spot but it's quite accessible: http://www.onesquareinch.org/

[Mega-Will]

[Backpacker Joe]

I would have guessed someplace in Maine.

[peppersteak'n'ale]

[Stefan]

[Andy Schmidt]

Don't know how true this is... someone once told me that the Olympic Peninsula is the largest area un-bisected by a road in the lower 48. That said... I've been on bushwacks that're only a couple miles and it seemed like I was as far from civilization an anyone could ever be.

[Sabahsboy]

My guess would be upper Lake Chelan, if you discount the road to no where (well...to High Bridge; and it goes no farther as I recall, due to washouts, etc.); move your curser across the map a bit twoard Glacier Peak and find a spot that is 22 miles plus from any active road (there are abandoned roads, such as Suiattle River Road and some intrusive logging roads that may not be functioning). No matter...the only means of access is by foot; and reaching upper Lake Chelan is via boat or float plane. Of coursem there are short cuts from Cascade Pass; from Rainy Pass/North Cascade Highway (when it is open); access is reliable and long from Twisp road over to Purple Pass. Perhaps we can discount Holden Village access road? You could plot out a place in North portion of N. Cascade NP that lacks nearby roads, esp. using Pasayten Wilderness as a buffer; however, I do not know how close the Canadian roads approach the Border.

[GeoHiker]

I know some areas of E.WA desert that have some long-wide chunks of land for more than 15 miles without any roads. I know many areas off I-90-US 2 that are only 4-5 miles away from a road, will take you days of hell to reach and haven't seen a soul in years.

[captain jack]

[cartman]

I'm with dicey and Stefan. The Pickets (Challenger) has three standard approaches, but I think all are ~18 mile just to camp. Fury would be even farther. Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest point is a 20 mile approach, but don't know how its location relates to roads.

[touron]

Here is a slightly related thread.

[cartman]