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Colorado
Mt. Zirkel Wilderness
The Mount Zirkel Wilderness lies within the Routt National Forest in northwestern Colorado. The wilderness straddles the Continental Divide in the Park Range and the Sierra Madre and offers a diversity of ecosystems from sagebrush meadows in the lower areas, through pine and spruce/fir forests and up to alpine tundra. It contains the rugged peaks of Sawtooth Range and the headwaters of the Elk, Encampment and North Platte rivers. There are over 70 lakes within the wilderness as well as 15 peaks over 12,000 feet, the highest being 12,180 foot Mount Zirkel. Glaciations have left its distinctive mark of high valleys ending in precipitous cirques. Over 150 miles of trail (including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail) provide access.
Ample opportunity exists to view natures dynamic cycle of disturbance and rebirth. The Routt Divide Blowdown in 1997 toppled millions of trees over a 150 square mile area, most of it within the wilderness, with the beetle epidemic and wildfires following its wake. These natural forces have temporarily altered the landscape without permanently eroding its wilderness character.
Never Summer Wilderness
As the name suggests, Never Summer Wilderness gets hit with large amounts of rain and snow that collect on its storm-wracked peaks, which offer relatively gentle terrain and bear names that hint at their cloud kissed heights: Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus and Nimbus.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Established on January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Long's Peak. One-third of the park is above tree line, and here tundra predominates - a major reason why these peaks and valleys have been set aside as a national park.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is the largest natural body of water in Colorado and the highest yacht anchorage in the world at 8,367-feet. It is situated at the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and the beginning of incredible Trail Ridge Road, home to some of the most fantastic scenery in Colorado.
Devils Thumb
The park, pass, trail and lake that carry the Devils Thumb moniker are named for the impressive pinnacle of rock that protrudes from sheer cliffs near the Continental Divide. As you ascend the 2,290 vertical feet the Thumb slowly takes shape against the eastern sky, growing like a giant stone troll on the horizon. The juxtaposition of this rugged monolith with the vibrant softness of acres of wildflowers is a rare natural composition.
Rollins Pass
On top of the World was the description of Corona (Spanish for Crown) Station at the apex of Rollins Pass. The Moffat Road to the top of the pass was once the highest standard gauge railroad in America. Hell Hill, as the route was known, was used from 1904 until 1929 when the completion of the Moffat Tunnel under James Peak made the 23 miles of track over the pass obsolete.
Indian Peaks Wilderness
The Indian Peaks Wilderness is located primarily in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests with a portion of the northern most boundaries within Rocky Mountain National Park. Elevations range from 8,400 to just over 13,500 feet. There are a total of seven peaks over 13,000 feet and approximately 35% of the land area is above timberline. The icy remains of the last glacial period sculpted out the rugged terrain of the Indian Peaks. Chill winds off perpetual snowfields have created an environment near timberline of stunted trees and alpine plants unusual for this part of the state.
The Indian Peaks Wilderness is one of the most popular and heavily used Wilderness Areas in the country due to its close proximity to the Denver/Boulder metro area. Camping permits are required during the peak season, June 1 September 15.
Berthoud Pass
Berthoud Pass sits on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 11,315 feet. Captain Edward S. Berthoud, Jim Bridger and five other men first experienced the spectacle of Berthoud Pass on May 12, 1861. After John Graves and Judge H.C. Cowles reported seeing a depression in the mountains north of Empire on the first of September 1860, the federal government commissioned an expedition led by Berthoud to explore the pass as a possible overland mail route. Berthouds report resulted in the route from Empire to Hot Sulfur Springs.
Grays Peak
Grays Peak is the 9th highest mountain in Colorado and the highest point along the Continental Divide Trail at 14,270 feet.
Turquoise Lake
This reservoir was named for the semi - precious stone that was mined in the surrounding area. Most of the mining activity took place in the 1930s when two Navajo Indians discovered nearly a thousand pounds of rough material in the area. The turquoise was found in veins and in nodule form at the Turquoise Chief Mine and Poor Boy Lode. Today, much of the area outside the Lake is privately owned, so please be respectful of their rights.
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
With eight fourteeners (mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation), Collegiate Peaks Wilderness possesses the highest average elevation of any Wilderness in the lower 48 states.
Tincup Pass
At 12,154-feet, Tincup Pass was supposedly named from the act of an early prospector who used a tincup to test gravel for gold color.
Hancock
Hancock served the workers who built the famous Alpine Tunnel. Its main population peak was in the 1880s and 1890s while the tunnel was being built. Mining was secondary in Hancock. The tunnel was completed in 1881, but the train ran through Hancock carrying miners, passengers and supplies. It is said Mark Twain took the ride one time just for the experience. The tunnel ceased operation in 1910 and the last mine in Hancock closed in 1926 with the passing of the last passenger train.
Monarch Pass
Monarch Pass averages more than 350 inches of snow a year, making it the second snowiest part of the state, after Wolf Creek Pass. Monarch is one of the last little ski areas in the state.
La Garita Wilderness
Congress designated the La Garita Wilderness in 1964 and it currently has approximately 129,626 acres. La Garita means the lookout in Spanish, and this Wilderness amply deserves the name. From the summit of this Wilderness' single fourteener (14,014-foot San Luis Peak), you can gaze across the Rio Grande Valley and down the long stretch of the San Luis Valley. About 35 miles of the Continental Divide lie well above sprawling forestland. On the southern slopes in Watson and Silver parks, you will find a surprising ancient forest of towering spruce and fir. This is a land of rushing streams, broad and gentle alpine meadows, fascinating beaver ponds, long talus slopes and tremendous mountain beauty.
Beartown
It was in 1893 that a rich strike brought nearly 400 prospectors to the area within a few weeks. Few miners even bothered to build cabins at first, preferring to bed down wherever they could. It was weeks later before some took time off to build cabins that was the start of Beartown. The early prosperity of the settlement caused merchants from nearby towns to open businesses giving Beartown an economy of its own. The Sylvanite mine was the biggest producer and netted up to $4,000 a ton and was worked until recent years. The mines are closed now and the town deserted but the mill and some cabins still remain.
Wolf Creek Pass
Located in the San Juan Mountains, Wolf Creek Pass is an adventure. When the first pioneers came through, the pass took two to three weeks to cross. The canyon here was modified by glacial action in the last Ice Age.
San Juan Mountains
Covering over 12,000 square miles of southwestern Colorado, the San Juan Mountains envelop about an eighth of the state. The mountains are relatively new, geologically speaking, and are among the highest and most rugged in North America. Hundreds of San Juan peaks rise above 13,000 feet and many surpass 14,000 feet.
Cumbres Pass
This famous site is the highest narrow gauge pass in North America at an elevation of 10,015 feet above sea level. Mountains covered with patches of timber surround Cumbres. This was logging country and many of the lower valleys are missing their trees. On top of the pass there is a large area of grassland that was created by the 26,000 acre Osier Mountain timber fire back in 1879. This is a significant ecological study area.
