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Kittitas County December 2016 Comprehensive Plan <br />Coal Creek and Hyak Creek are other environmentally sensitive areas, which will require <br />protection and special attention.\ <br />2.5 Subarea “E” <br />2.5.1 Location and General Description <br />The Hyak subarea is the largest of the subareas, covering over ten square miles and spanning <br />the southern end of the study area from east to west. The northern end of Keechelus Lake and <br />Interstate 90 form the eastern boundaries. <br />2.5.2 Natural Features <br />Mount Catherine at 5,052 feet is the center piece for the Hyak area. The Cold Creek valley leads <br />to Twin Lakes and a spectacular view of Silver Peak at 5,605. Other small lakes are tucked in the <br />area north of Mount Catherine. <br />Keechelus Lake, although a controlled reservoir, provides the visual image and, most of the year, <br />the recreational attributes of a large natural lake. This may be affected for a time by dam <br />stability concerns and repair efforts. <br />2.5.3 Existing Land Use and Ownership <br />Over five square miles (fifty percent) of the planning area is Forest Service land and over two <br />square miles is owned by Plum Creek Timber Company. Keechelus Lake, which covers over one <br />square mile of the subarea, is managed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management. <br />The remaining land is owned by numerous private owners and public agencies, with varying <br />uses. Hyak Estates is located east of the Summit East ski area, and the Suncrest and Sundance <br />Condominiums are located at the base of the ski area. There is also an approved Hyak PUD for a <br />25 lot development. The Snoqualmie Pass Sewer and Water District's sewage treatment plant is <br />located near Hyak Division 4, and the District’s effluent spray field is located on Forest Service <br />and owned land farther to the south. The Washington State Department of Transportation <br />operates a highway maintenance facility near the head of Keechelus Lake, which includes <br />maintenance shops, garages and areas to stockpile sand and gravel. <br />The Iron Horse State Park (and John Wayne Trail) is located on the abandoned Milwaukee <br />Railroad right-of-way. The State Parks Department also owns some small parcels of adjacent <br />land. <br />The Summit East Ski Area is located on a combination of Forest Service and private land. The <br />base of the ski area, including its support buildings and services, is on private land. <br />2.5.4 Access and Utilities <br />The Hyak area has access from Interstate 90 at Exit 54 and SR906. SR906 provides a direct route <br />to other areas near the summit.