​Overcoat Peak from Pollalie Ridge, Photo: Jim Scarborough
​

Founders and Early Members of ALPS

Compiled by Dave Knibb

John Warth: Photographer, writer, and early advocate for special protection of the Alpine Lakes region, Warth started the process that led to the later formation of ALPS.

Brock Evans: As Northwest representative for the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs, Brock insisted that the Alpine Lakes area needed specific defenders and arranged the get-together that launched ALPS.
​

Bear's Breast and Mt. Hinman from Pollalie Ridge, Photo: Jim Scarborough

Ben Hayes: First president of ALPS.  Despite his jovial manner, Ben was on a mission to build on what John Warth had started and to protect the Alpine Lakes. Ben was an organizer, a people person, and politically astute. He built the organization and instilled in ALPS a sense of professionalism and credibility that encouraged others to take it seriously.

Bentley Kern: An Ellensburg rancher and backpacker, Bentley helped form ALPS and was its first treasurer. 
​

Terence Lake, Photo: Jim Scarborough

Hal Lindstrom and Jeb Baldi: Both were from Ellensburg, and both were directly involved in the formation of ALPS. Hal later became ALPS president and testified in the US Senate in support of the Alpine Lakes bill. Hal's wife, Gloria, also was membership chair.  Together, the Lindstroms and Baldis were the rock of ALPS in central Washington.

Dave Knibb: Dave drafted the original Alpine Lakes legislation and was a frequent lobbyist in Congress on behalf of ALPS. Later, he authored a book (“Backyard Wilderness”) about that campaign.
​

Forest on Pollalie Ridge, Photo: Jim Scarborough

Karyl Winn: Karyl was one of the initial trustees. A university archivist, she became the first Research and Resources chair of ALPS. In later years, she rejoined the board and made more contributions.

Don Baldwin: As the group’s first Other Groups Contact, Don organized speaking engagements so that ALPS could spread the word and gain wider support. 
​​

Waptus River Photo: Jim Scarborough

Bob Ordal :A young Seattle attorney, he produced the ALPS primer and later became ALPS president. 

Earll Murman: A scientist and early trustee, he kept requiring ALPS to address the longer-term issues.
​

Mt. Stuart from Pollalie Ridge, Photo: Jim Scarborough

John Whetten: A geology professor, he helped ALPS in unexpected ways during the congressional campaign.

Jim Hotott : An early trustee, Jim helped form an ALPS chapter on the east side of Lake Washington.
​

Waptus Lake, Photo: Jim Scarborough

Bill Asplund: A Wenatchee high school teacher, Bill was the sole ALPS representative in Chelan County for many years. He regularly locked horns with Andy Wright, supervisor of the Wenatchee National Forest, who was skeptical of all conservationists. His son Randy was later active for a number of years.
​

Otter Lake and Otter Point Photo: Jim Scarborough

Henry Steinhardt: Henry became a trustee shortly after the formation of the original group. He testified at the congressional hearings in Washington, DC, and became the second president of ALPS. Henry was an architect, designer of the ALPS logo, and a forceful speaker. 
​
The next generation of ALPS luminaries included Don Parks, Bill Beyers, Jim Chapman, Len Gardner, and Jim Stevenson.
​

Icicle Creek, Photo: Jack Mynatt

Some Views from the Early Days

All photos courtesy of Gloria Lindstrom
​

Setting out for a family backpacking trip in the proposed Alpine Lakes Wilderness. At left, Ben Hayes. At bottom center, Gloria Lindstrom. And at far right, Hal Lindstrom.

The kids caught half the fish in the lake.

David Knibb autographs a copy of his book, "Backyard Wilderness," published not long after the establishment of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Early ALPS advocates get together a few years after the establishment of the Wilderness. Top row, L to R, David Knibb, Hal Lindstrom, Jeb Baldi. Bottom row, L to R, Wendy Schatz, Gloria Lindstrom, Gloria Baldi.

The ladies of Lady's Pass. Gloria Baldi (L) and Gloria Lindstrom (R) at Lady's Pass prior to establishment of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

A damp morning around the fire in the proposed Alpine Lakes Wilderness. L to R: Hal Lindstrom, Linda Parks, Don Parks, and an unidentified Wilderness advocate.