| WILDERNESS AREAS |
Welcome to the World of Slow. Wilderness offers
peace to your harried mind. With four Wilderness
Areas and two Wilderness Study Areas, plus hundreds
of miles of trails to explore, you’ll find that your busy
life fades away. Some of the most splendid scenery in
the United States will fill you with wonder. Since
mechanized vehicles (cars, motorcycles, ATVs,
bicycles) are not permitted in these places, you’ll find
solitude and quiet on these trails.
Uncompahgre Wilderness
102,721 acres
Elevation range: 8400 to 14,309 feet
Home of two Fourteeners, Uncompahgre Peak at
14,309 feet and Wetterhorn Peak at 14,017 feet, this
Wilderness is one of the highest and most dramatic at
the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Other
attractions include Matterhorn Peak (13,590’),
Coxcomb Peak (13,656’) and Wildhorse Peak
(13,266’). Major access to this area is from the Alpine
Loop National Backcountry Byway, via the Nellie Creek
road or the North Henson Creek road (4x4
recommended for both until you reach the
trailheads). Hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders
can also enter the area from the north at Big Blue
Creek, which has a primitive campground at the
trailhead.
Powderhorn Wilderness
61,510 acres
Elevation range: 8699 to 12,600 feet
The Powderhorn contains one of the largest
untouched flat alpine tundra areas in the lower 48
states along Cannibal Plateau and Calf Creek Plateau.
Attractions in this area include the Powderhorn Lakes,
and many routes for the horseback rider, hiker, or
backpacker. Trails include Devil’s Creek, Powderhorn
Park, East Fork, and Canon Infierno.
La Garita Wilderness
128,858 acres
Elevation range: 9000 to 14,014 feet
La Garita is Spanish for “the overlook.” One of the
more remote Wilderness Areas, the La Garita does not
get much use. Attractions here include the Colorado
Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail,
both of which pass through the area. Fourteener San
Luis Peak (14,104’) and almost-a-Fourteener Stewart
Peak (13,983’) offer steep climbs, but there are many
miles of mellower trails for those seeking real solitude.
You can access the La Garita from the top of Spring
Creek Pass on Highway 149, or from Forest Service
Road 788, which comes off of the top of Slumgullion
Pass.
Weminuche Wilderness
492,418 acres
Elevation range: 8000 to 14,083 feet
The largest Wilderness Area in Colorado can also be
one of the busiest in some places. However, for much
quieter trails, enter the area from the northern access
points near the Rio Grande Reservoir. The
Weminuche Trail, for example, offers access to the
Continental Divide, and makes a nice overnight
horseback or backpack trip.
Redcloud Peak & Handies Peak Wilderness
Study Areas
51,854 acres combined
Located on the Alpine Loop National Backcountry
Byway, the Redcloud Peak and Handies Peak WSAs
contains three Fourteeners: Redcloud Peak (14,034’),
Sunshine Peak (14,001’), and Handies Peak (14,048’).
These trails are fairly popular by local standards, so if
you are looking for a little more quiet, head to Cooper
Lake trail, Williams Creek trail, or Cataract trail.
peace to your harried mind. With four Wilderness
Areas and two Wilderness Study Areas, plus hundreds
of miles of trails to explore, you’ll find that your busy
life fades away. Some of the most splendid scenery in
the United States will fill you with wonder. Since
mechanized vehicles (cars, motorcycles, ATVs,
bicycles) are not permitted in these places, you’ll find
solitude and quiet on these trails.
Uncompahgre Wilderness
102,721 acres
Elevation range: 8400 to 14,309 feet
Home of two Fourteeners, Uncompahgre Peak at
14,309 feet and Wetterhorn Peak at 14,017 feet, this
Wilderness is one of the highest and most dramatic at
the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Other
attractions include Matterhorn Peak (13,590’),
Coxcomb Peak (13,656’) and Wildhorse Peak
(13,266’). Major access to this area is from the Alpine
Loop National Backcountry Byway, via the Nellie Creek
road or the North Henson Creek road (4x4
recommended for both until you reach the
trailheads). Hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders
can also enter the area from the north at Big Blue
Creek, which has a primitive campground at the
trailhead.
Powderhorn Wilderness
61,510 acres
Elevation range: 8699 to 12,600 feet
The Powderhorn contains one of the largest
untouched flat alpine tundra areas in the lower 48
states along Cannibal Plateau and Calf Creek Plateau.
Attractions in this area include the Powderhorn Lakes,
and many routes for the horseback rider, hiker, or
backpacker. Trails include Devil’s Creek, Powderhorn
Park, East Fork, and Canon Infierno.
La Garita Wilderness
128,858 acres
Elevation range: 9000 to 14,014 feet
La Garita is Spanish for “the overlook.” One of the
more remote Wilderness Areas, the La Garita does not
get much use. Attractions here include the Colorado
Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail,
both of which pass through the area. Fourteener San
Luis Peak (14,104’) and almost-a-Fourteener Stewart
Peak (13,983’) offer steep climbs, but there are many
miles of mellower trails for those seeking real solitude.
You can access the La Garita from the top of Spring
Creek Pass on Highway 149, or from Forest Service
Road 788, which comes off of the top of Slumgullion
Pass.
Weminuche Wilderness
492,418 acres
Elevation range: 8000 to 14,083 feet
The largest Wilderness Area in Colorado can also be
one of the busiest in some places. However, for much
quieter trails, enter the area from the northern access
points near the Rio Grande Reservoir. The
Weminuche Trail, for example, offers access to the
Continental Divide, and makes a nice overnight
horseback or backpack trip.
Redcloud Peak & Handies Peak Wilderness
Study Areas
51,854 acres combined
Located on the Alpine Loop National Backcountry
Byway, the Redcloud Peak and Handies Peak WSAs
contains three Fourteeners: Redcloud Peak (14,034’),
Sunshine Peak (14,001’), and Handies Peak (14,048’).
These trails are fairly popular by local standards, so if
you are looking for a little more quiet, head to Cooper
Lake trail, Williams Creek trail, or Cataract trail.
© Greg Ochocki
| Spring Velvet Mule Deer photo by Greg Ochocki |
To learn more about these topics you can request the
Lake City Official Outdoor Recreation Guide or
download the Wilderness Areas PDF (326kb) from the
brochure.
Lake City Official Outdoor Recreation Guide or
download the Wilderness Areas PDF (326kb) from the
brochure.
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