Over the last three years, Clear Mountain has been searching for land that satisfies a very particular, sacred set of criteria – most importantly a location within a 45-minute drive from downtown Seattle; a reasonable walking distance from a site for receiving alms; a large tract of forested land; and seclusion from noise.

This past June, we let the community know that we had put an offer on a property near Cougar Mountain. The land met many of our criteria and truly appeared to be the most suitable place for the monastery among all the properties we had investigated. However, it gradually became clear that the land’s topography posed insurmountable challenges to meeting fire access requirements, and we ultimately had to make the difficult decision to move on. The unfeasibility of the Cougar Mountain property echoes many of the challenges we have faced over the last few years while seeking suitable land for the monastery.

Previous properties we’ve surveyed over the course of nearly three years of dedicated searching have not met our criteria, or else have been unsuitable in other, unexpected ways. Many had roads that could not accommodate fire truck access. Others had enough forested land, but were more than one hour from Seattle – meaning people would be able to visit much less often – while closer properties were not forested. 

We are excited to share that in recent weeks, a potential new home for Clear Mountain has emerged – and it’s the most promising land we’ve seen yet. The land consists of two adjoining properties in North Bend, totalling around 90 acres. The land meets many of our criteria, including a scenic and forested 40-minute drive from downtown Seattle – which is close enough for visits before or after work, a key aspect of Clear Mountain’s vision. Additionally, the land features a large forest (we saw a herd of elk on our first Board visit), a stream, and a view of Mount Si, a sacred mountain. The land features enough buildable area to accommodate the eventual vision of Clear Mountain: 20 huts, a large temple, a multi-purpose hall, and more. The roads leading to the land are wide enough to accommodate fire access requirements – a major hurdle encountered with previous properties during our search. Finally, the land is within 1.2 miles of a restaurant that could serve as a site for alms round, including the ability for donors to order carryout. In short, these two properties strike a target we’ve been trying to hit for three years, and we’ve decided to make an offer.

The acquisition of both properties is important to prevent future development nearby from being too close. Re-zoning and development of forested land surrounding any monastery threaten that monastery’s sacred environment and the ecosystem of the surrounding forest. Encroaching development has compromised other monasteries, and we want to prevent it.

Seattle-area real estate is not cheap, and the combined price of these 90 acres and accompanying Due Diligence and acquisition costs is just below $5 million (approximately $4.93M). Clear Mountain currently has $4.3 million in given and pledged funds, meaning approximately $600K must come within the next three months of our Due Diligence period if we are to secure the land for the monastery—by March 22, 2026.

It’s worth noting that because of Clear Mountain’s partnership with Forterra, the second-largest conservation organization in Washington, conservation easements on the land’s forested areas could reimburse substantial portions of this cost – but this reimbursement would come in subsequent years after grant applications. We have to acquire the properties first. And although we realize future development will require further resources, procuring appropriate land is the first and most critical step. Funding for building can manifest at the pace of the community’s needs.

We realize $5 million is a large amount, but the vision for Clear Mountain is also vast: 20 resident monastics, a large temple that can hold several hundred people on celebration days, a multi-purpose hall, and columbarium (place to put cremation ashes). The site will include gardens and forest paths, and will be a refuge of peace for generations, all within easy driving distance of a large population center. This proximity is common in Thailand, but is something no forest monastery in North America has yet achieved. 

Those who wish to learn more or see the land in-person may do so in several ways. First, for the three months until Wed. March 18th, Wednesday Zoom sessions will be extended past their usual end time of 7:45 pm PT to allow for questions and updates regarding the land acquisition; all should feel free to remain on the call and ask questions! Second, until Saturday, March 14th, 1st and 3rd Saturday Gatherings will be followed by a field trip departing at 12:30 pm to visit the land, weather allowing, for those in Seattle who wish to see it. Thirdly, anyone may email land.steward@friendsofclearmountain.org or financial@friendsofclearmountain.org with questions regarding the land or donations.

A final note: the presence and views of Mount Si were deeply moving to all of us as we walked the land. The Thai word ใส, pronounced “sai,” means “clear”. We think we have found our Clear Mountain.

If inspired, you may contribute here.

May we create a refuge for all beings.

In the Dhamma,

Kim Tull-Esterbrook, President

Steve Wilhelm, Vice President

Nicole Jarosinski, Secretary

Alison Thomas, Treasurer

Alex Haynes & Peter Hummel, Land Development Leads

Friends of Clear Mountain