The 5,963 acre Trapper Creek Wilderness protects nearly all of the Trapper Creek drainage and provides critical anadromous fish habitat in the Wind River watershed.  Streams and waterfalls are plentiful among the steep forested canyons at lower elevations. The old-growth Douglas-fir forests that comprise the heart of this Wilderness provide habitat for a variety of wildlife such as spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers, goshawks, blacktail deer, Roosevelt elk, and black bear. Cougar, bobcat, and pine marten can be observed occasionally. 

Soda Peaks Lake, the area’s single body of water, is within a valley below Soda Peaks in the southwest corner of the Wilderness. Observation Peak, the site of a former fire lookout, offers sweeping views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. Access to Observation Peak is via Trail #132, which has historic use prior to 1917.

Trails to Soda Peaks Lake and Observation Peak total 12 miles. Another 12.4 miles of primitive trails, including Trail # 192.2 Trapper Creek, provide loop opportunities through the middle of the Wilderness. These primitive trails (including: #132B Shortcut, #195 Big Slide, #198 Sunshine, #202 Rim, #209: Deer Cutoff) are maintained to a lesser standard and can be challenging to follow.