m«* r?.o\ DOC. JAN 2 2 2039 A 13 13 Edition w 47/2009 UNIVERSITY OF ILUN< AT URBANA-CH^itf 3 01 2 0988427/ lu#s rg " £ ^Mntofagr^I Safety - Leave No Trace - Camping - Destinations - Regulations - Wildlife - Stock Use Colorado’s Largest Wilderness Area At three quarters the size of Rhode Island, the Weminuche Wilderness is the largest Wilderness area in Colorado at 499,771 acres. It is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, established by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to; “secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness. ” The Weminuche was designated by Congress in 1975, and expanded by the Colorado Wilderness Acts of 1980 and 1993. The Weminuche spans the Continental Divide, North America’s geological backbone, with its headwaters diverted to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom peaks rise above 14,000 feet, while many others reach above 13,000 feet. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, the Weminuche is rugged country, but its ecosystems are fragile. As you visit, you will join thousands of others who travel in the Weminuche each year. You can help protect the Wilderness through your knowledge and skills, and by complying with regulations. Many people are not aware of the impacts they cause - please practice low-impact camping and use common sense. Overall Regulations Travel Camping Only primitive forms of travel—foot travel and stock animals— • Camping for more than 14 days in the same place is are allowed in Wilderness. Possession/use of motorized • prohibited. equipment and/or mechanized means of transportation is not Camping is not allowed within 100’ (about 35 adult steps) of allowed. This includes motor vehicles, bicycles, wagons, hang gliders, carts, • streams and lakes, except at designated or posted campsites. and any type of motorized equipment, including chainsaws. Camping is not allowed within 100’ of areas assigned to permitted Use of aircraft to land or drop people or materials is prohibited, with the • commercial outfitters. exceaption of agency-approved emergency search operations and In heavily impacted areas, camping is further restricted to protect administrative use. Wheelchairs may be used if medically necessary. Contact vegetation and water sources or to promote revegetation. the Forest Service office nearest your destination for clarification. r\ In some areas, a post like this will A Group Size A mark where camping is allowed. No C The maximum group size allowed in the Weminuche is 15 A M people per group, with a maximum combination of people and / In some areas, a post like this will P 1 stock not to exceed 25. Small groups have less impacts on the mark where camping is not allowed. N natural resources of the Wilderness and on the experiences of G other visitors. If your group is larger than 15, you must split into legally sized groups. You cannot gather, travel, or use any area in the Weminuche in a group size larger than 15. The group size applies to everyone, including Permits scouts, commercial outfitters, educational, and church groups. Individual permits are not required in the Weminuche Wilderness, but please sign in at trailhead registration boxes to help the Forest Service monitor Other Regulations recreational use patterns. However, anyone who receives any form of compensation for their services The following regulations apply to all areas of the Weminuche: must obtain a special-use permit. Permits are required if you are outfitting, • Pets must be leashed or under voice control. Dogs must not guiding or leading a group of any size for monetary or other compensation, disturb wildlife, people, or property. even if you are doing so for an educational institution or nonprofit organization. • Pack out and properly dispose of all trash. Do not bury it. Contact the Forest Service office nearest your destination for permit • Disposing of wash water and human waste is prohibited within 100' of any information or to ensure that your guide has a valid permit. water source. • Cutting or damaging live trees is prohibited. • Caching of any type of equipment is prohibited. Stock Feed • Leaving campfires unattended is prohibited. A campfire is not considered Noxious weeds pose many dangers to the Wilderness, including crowding out until the ashes are cold to the touch. out native plants, replacing wildlife forage, marring scenery, increasing • Restraining recreational livestock is prohibited within 100’ of streams and erosion, and hampering recreation. All livestock feed in your lakes or within riparian areas. possession on National Forest lands must be certified weed • Shortcutting of trail switchbacks is prohibited to limit erosion. Do not cut free. Original and current tag, twine, or other certification marking switchbacks. that meets or exceeds the North American W3'’^ Cro° Fnrqoe or comparable standard is required. Know Before You Go For current conditions, call the Forest Service office nearest the trailhead you are using or visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan and go to c. Conditions and Recreation. Heavy snows in winter can cause avalanches, leaving trails blocked by downed trees and contributing to high watei runoff in summer. In 2005, a bridge seven miles up the Vallecito Trail was taken out by an avalanche and will not be replaced for some time, making the creek crossing difficult to unsafe, depending on conditions and your skills. Natural events such as these can occur during your trip and may affect your ability to complete your planned trip. We cannot stress the following enough: Wilderness is wild: Be prepared for the unexpected! The information in this guide may be helpful in giving you ideas for visiting the Weminuche, but it is not sufficient for trip planning. Descriptions are brief, and elevations and mileages are approximate. Study and carry topographic maps of the areas you intend to visit. The most current is the Weminuche Wilderness Map by National Geographic. USGS topo maps have greater detail, but may be outdated and not display current trails and boundaries. You may choose to use Site-Specific Regulations both types of maps. Camping in No No Grazing of No No Campfires or Locations with Site-Specific Regulations Designated Restraint of Recreational Camping Woodstoves Areas Only Livestock Livestock Archuleta Lake within 200' of lakeshore X X X X Emerald Lake, within 1/2 mi. of north shore and 1/4 mi. of X X X X other shores Between shoreline of Flint Lake & Flint, La Osa trails, X X X X within 200' of west and north shores Fourmile Lake within 200' of lakeshore X X X X X( except in designated Little Emerald Lake within 1/4 mi. of lakeshore X X X areas ) Needle Creek Drainage, including Chicago Basin X Twin Lakes in Needle Creek Drainage X X Meadow at junction of Weminuche & East Fork trails X in.aOf X w Springs) X X X -aKe within 200' of lakeshore X X X X TRAIL CLOSURE: Beaver Creek Trail (#560), northeast of Pagosa Springs, is closed by rock slides until further notice from the top of the first set of switchbacks east of the West Fork Trail to Beaver Meadow, making the Continental Divide Trail inaccessible from this route. .3 Leave No Trace of Your Visit Plan Ahead and Prepare Guidelines for • Research regulations and current conditions. • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Stock Users • Repackage food to minimize waste. • Use a current topographic (topo) map of the area. At the Trail head Getting Ready You’ll find bulletin boards and registration boxes •Check on conditions and facilities. Some trails at Wilderness trailheads. Check for regulations, are more conducive to horse travel than others. current conditions, and fire restrictions. Registration • Livestock should be in good condition for mountain travel and accustomed is requested to help compile visitor statistics. to the feed and methods of restraint you’ll use. Practice in advance with equipment like packs, hobbles, hitch line, and electric fencing. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Prepare your animals for encounters with other livestock, llamas, dogs, and backpackers. • Concentrate activities on established trails and campsites, or areas of rock, gravel, dry grass, or snow. •Minimize the number of pack stock you’ll need by using lightweight • Camp away from lakes and streams. equipment and taking less. • Good campsites are found, not made - altering a site is not necessary. • In popular areas: Don’t Bring Weeds with You • Select an existing site where camping is Wilderness ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to the spread of noxious allowed - do not create a new campsite. weeds, which can be spread through manure. Several days before you arrive • Walk single file on the trail, especially when on public lands, feed your stock in weed-free pastures and/or use certified wet or muddy. weed-free feed. Inspect, brush, and clean animals, tack, and equipment to • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in remove hitchhiking seeds. (See page 1 for weed regulation information.) areas of little or no vegetation. • In pristine areas: On the Trail • Spread out your activities to prevent creation of new campsites or trails. • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning. When taking breaks, tie stock to trees only for short periods of time. To lessen damage, select a tree at least 8” in diameter and use tree-saver straps, or wrap the lead Minimize Campfire Impacts rope twice around the trunk. Those you pass on the trail • Minimize your impacts by using a lightweight stove for cooking, and a may not be familiar with livestock. Ask them to step off on candle for light. Only build a fire where it will not cause further damage or the downhill side in a safe place. A little conversation as deplete wood resources (decaying wood plays an important role you pass will reduce the risk of horses being spooked in the ecosystem). and help create goodwill. • If you must have a fire, use an existing fire ring, fire pan, or mound fire in an area where campfires are allowed. Stock in Camp • Gather wood less than 3” in diameter and keep fires small. • See page 2 for stock-use regulations at • Never leave camp without extinguishing your campfire. Allow specific Wilderness destinations. your fire to burn down to ashes, then soak the ashes until they • Choose an existing legal campsite with are cool enough to touch. ample forage. • Allow livestock into the camp core only Dispose of Waste Properly for loading and unloading. • Before you leave, inspect your camping area for trash or spilled foods. • Permanent structures - such as corrals, hitching rails, tables, or benches - Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. are illegal in Wilderness. • Do not burn or bury trash. Animals, time, and erosion will unearth it. • Before you leave, fill in pawed places, try to return trampled areas to a • Use the “cat hole” method to deposit solid human waste. natural state, scatter manure, and remove everything you brought with Dig a hole 6-8” deep away from water, camp, and trails. you. Cover and disguise holes after use. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. Stock Restraint • Wash yourself and dishes away from streams and lakes, and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter • Restrain stock away from lakeshores, stream sides, and wet meadows. strained dishwater. •Animals that are monitored, protected from biting bugs, well-fed and watered are more content and less apt to paw and damage vegetation Leave What You Find and soils. • The more confined an animal is, the more impacts it creates. Portable • Examine (but do not touch) cultural or historic structures, and artifacts. electric fencing is a low-impact restraint method that allows grazing and • Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them. movement. Using hobbles also helps prevent damage. •Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. • Move stock animals frequently to prevent overgrazing and damage to • Do not build structures or furniture, and do not dig trenches. vegetation and soils. • Stay away from old mining structures; they are unstable and dangerous. • Patented mining claims are often on private property within National Forest Highlines are a Great Method lands. Please don’t trespass. • Using tree-saver straps to protect bark, stretch Respect Wildlife rope tightly above wither height between two trees at least 20’ apart. • Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach wild animals. • Tie stock several feet out from trees to prevent • Never feed wild animals - this affects their health, alters damage to root systems and trunks. their natural behaviors, and exposes them to many • Remove saddles and packs from animals that dangers. are tied to a highline. • Keep a clean camp, store food and trash securely, • Use a quick-release knot that won’t slide. Tie and never bury trash because wild animals will dig it more than one animal to the line, as animals are up and repeatedly return to the site. less restless when tied with others. •Control pets at all times or leave them at home. • Move the highline often to minimize soil damage from pawing stock. Uncontrolled dogs endanger wildlife and themselves. •Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. How far is far enough? Be Considerate of Others Leave No Trace ethics call for camping and disposal of waste water and body waste at least 200’ frc •Try not to impact the quality of others’ experiences in camp and on the sources, meadows, and trails. The required dist c trail. Set up camp and take breaks along the trail away from other visitors. federal regulations is less - 100’ or about 35 adult: • Be courteous and yield to other visitors on the trail. Use common sense in particular situations you encounter to ci • Don't allow dogs to bother or intimidate others. between the two. It's also important to know site-specific regulation • Be careful when encountering horseback riders and pack stock. Step to that may apply to certain locations in the Weminuche (see page 2) the downhill side of the trail in a safe place in plain view. Restrain your addition to overall regulations. dog. Talk in a normal tone of voice to reassure the animals and create For more information on Leave No Trace Ethics: goodwill with riders. (800) 332-4100 or www.lnt.org • Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises. 4 Coexisting With Wildlife 0lean Camp Mountain Goats and Tundra In an effort to find food, even small critters can Rocky Mountain goats tear up delicate tundra to damage your belongings. Encouraging unnatural reach salts from urine deposited by campers. Goats behavior endangers the survival of wild animals. They also become aggressive when they are accustomed can be attracted to any item with a scent, regardless to people. To minimize these problems in the Chicago of packaging - canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, Basin and Twin Lakes areas, please do not feed, touch, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, livestock feed, ice chests or encourage goats to come closer to you. Urinate on (even empty), and unwashed pots and dishes. Other rocks at least 200 feet from your camp. Pack out used belongings can also be at risk from salt-seeking rodents toilet paper in doubled plastic bags. - handle sweaty items and leather as you would food items. The Bear Necessities The Most Common Encounter The only species of bear known to exist today in Prepare for biting flies, gnats, ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, and Colorado is the black bear. Grizzlies have not been bees. Pack insect repellent and wear long pants, long-shirt documented in the Weminuche for several decades. sleeves, and high socks. In this area, diseases transmitted to Black bears have a voracious appetite, especially humans by insects include Rocky Mountain tick fever and West Nile virus. from mid-August until they hibernate in the fall. They West Nile is also a concern for horses. have an acute sense of smell and a great memory for where they have found meals in the past. Practice bear safety: • Protect your food and gear from wildlife: .- ■ Information on Wildlife: • Never leave food unattended. http://wildlife. state, co. us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWith Wildlife • Never store food or scented items in a tent. • Use a bear-resistant storage container, or use the counter-balance method Information on Altitude Illness: (see below) to suspend items. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/redirect.aspx Counter Balance Method Information on Water Treatment: • Find a tree with a live, down-sloping branch. The branch must allow food http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentWaterTreatment.aspx bags to be at least 10’ off the ground and at least 4’ out from the trunk. • Divide food by equal weight into two bags. Information on Hypothermia: • Use enough rope to go over the branch and back to the ground. Toss it www. bt. cdc. gov/d isasters/winter/faq. asp over the branch where it will support the weight of the food but not a bear cub. Information on Lightning: •Tie on and hoist the first sack up to the branch. Tie the second sack as http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm high as you can on the rope; put excess rope in the sack, leaving a loop out so you can retrieve it. Information on Insect-transmitted diseases: •Toss or use a stick to push the lower sack until both sacks are at equal www. fightthebitecolorado. com/outdoor, htm height. http://www. cdphe. state, co. us/dc/zoonosis/ •To retrieve the sacks, hook a long stick through the loop of excess rope. Pull slowly to avoid tangles. ^ ■ - -0 Safety and Other Information It's Wild Out There Fire in the Wilderness Be aware of health and safety considerations when heading into the Fire is one of the forces of nature that influences the natural condition of Wilderness. Consider in advance what you will do if you become injured or wilderness. Most fires in the Weminuche are started by lightning and average lost. Be prepared with the skills and equipment to handle rapidly changing less than one acre in size. and extreme weather conditions, snow fields, high-water crossings, snow There is a chance you may encounter fire or smoke during your visit, fields, lightning storms, and wildlife encounters. You cannot trust that water because the Forest Service allows nearly all naturally ignited fires that occur in rivers, streams, and lakes is free of intestinal parasites, even if it is crystal in wilderness to run their natural course. Agency policy is to immediately clear. Some people have severe medical reactions to high altitudes (the suppress only human-caused fires. In remote areas, natural fires are often Weminuche ranges from 8,000' to more than 14,000’ above sea level). monitored only from the air. You should, of course, avoid any area that appears to be burning. Check trailhead signing for information about active fire in the Expect the Unexpected area. Although lower elevations are usually free of snow by mid-June, higher elevations may be snow covered into August. Some high peaks, narrow drainages, and north-facing exposures never lose snow. Lightning storms Climbing 14’ers are common, especially in August. Most people plan to hike at higher elevations early in the day, so they are back below treeline by noon. Many people visit Chicago Basin to climb its 14,000’ peaks. There have been many serious injuries and fatalities on Eolus, Sunlight, and Search & Rescue Cards Windom peaks. Safe climbing requires mountaineering skills and careful planning. Weather conditions can include lightning, hail, and snow. Local sheriff’s departments handle search and rescue operations. By Loose and slippery rocks make for uncertain footing. purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search & Rescue Card, the cost The Colorado 14er’s Initiative and Forest Service are constructing of a rescue, should you need it, will be covered. Without a card, you may be sustainable routes to the peaks surrounding Chicago Basin. Please charged for the cost. Those with a current hunting/fishing license, or boat, stay on designated routes. Camping in the Twin Lakes Basin is snowmobile, or ATV registration are already covered by the fund. The cost is prohibited. $3 per year, or $12 for five years. Cards are available from vendors, including For information specific to the Chicago Basin area, go to: San Juan Public Lands offices, or by phone or online from the State of www.fs.fed.us/sanjuan. Under Recreation, you will find a link to the Colorado. For more information, call (970) 248-7310 or go to: Chicago Basin Trip Planning Guide. http://dola.Colorado, gov/d lg/fa/sar/ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge /? -n\ Railroad Information on Hunting and Fishing: The train route through the Weminuche Wilderness was once used by the Rio Grande Railroad, which hauled ore and precious minerals from the Silverton mines. The railroad right-of-way predates o. do Division of Wildlife establishment of the San Juan National Forest in 1905. Today, the 16" eet, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-0855 Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers drop-off service -or- for Wilderness visitors at specified times at the Elk Park and Needleton trailheads. It may be convenient, but don’t expect solitude—the train * cast, Monte Vista, Co 81144 (719) 587-6900 drops off between 10 and 60 backpackers each trip. Rail service typically runs from May to October. For information on schedules and www. wildlife, state, co. us fares or to make reservations, call (888) 827-4607. 5 Destinations Definitions of Abbreviations Used Below: CG = Campground TH = Trailhead FS = Forest Service Road CR = County Road D&SNGRR = Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad South of the Continental Divide Elevatio n Gain Site-Specific from TH to How to Access Distances and Descriptions Stock Use Regulations Destination Chicago Basin Purgatory TH, Hwy 550 or via 18 mi. from Purgatory TH, 6.5 mi. See Needle Creek None to light stock use 8,280’ - 11,200’ DSNGRR to Needleton from railroad, very popular regs on pg. 2 Crater Lake 5.5 mi. to lake, popular for day Andrews Lake, US Hwy 550 Light stock use 10,744’ - 11,560’ hikes & overnight camping Elk Creek D&SNGRR to Elk Park or via 9 mi. from railroad, 14 mi. from Light stock use 8,840'- 12,680’ Molas TH on US 550 Molas TH to Cont. Divide, popular Fourmiie Falls Fourmiie TH via Fourmiie Rd. 3 mi. to the falls, 5.5 mi. to the lake, Trail above falls not See pg. 2 9,000'- 11,200' FS#400 to FS#645 very popular suitable for horses Fourmiie Lake Anderson TH via Fourmiie Rd. Alternative stock route, 9 mi. to See site-specific regs on See pg. 2 9,000' -11,200' FS#400 to FS#645 Four Mile Lake pg-2 Highland Mary Lakes Access to lakes above timberline, Impassable for horses, Separate horse trail Hwy 110 to FS#589 to FS#737 10,800-12,200' heavily used steep and narrow goes to Cont .Divide Middle Fork Middle Fork TH via Piedra Rd. Steep switchbacks for 3 mi., 9 mi. Moderate stock use 8,400' - 12,230' FS#600, then FS#631 to FS#636 to Cont.Divide, few campsites Pine River Valley Pine River TH via CR 501 to 22 mi. to Weminuche Pass, access Heavy stock use, TH First 3 mi. is on private 7,916’ - 10,630' FS#600 to Pine River CG to 10 other trails facilities offered property - stay on trail Turkey Creek Lake 9.5 mi. to Turkey Ck. Lake, climbs Moderate to heavy stock Jackson Mtn. Rd. FS#037 8,700'- 11,000' 3,000' in 10 mi., moderate use use 17 mi. to Hunchback Pass, Where bridge is out, Vallecito Trail Vallecito TH via CR 501 to Due to avalanche, the moderately difficult trail in deep, water crossing can be 7,916’ - 11,520’ CR 500 to Vallecito CG bridge 7 mi. from TH is out narrow canyon for 7 mi. dangerous West Fork ( Rainbow) West Fork TH via West Fork Rd 16 mi. to Continental Divide, very No grazing allowed at See pg. 2 ( 1st mi. 8,500'- 11,900' FS#648 popular Rainbow Hot Springs private, stay on trail) Williams Creek Trail Williams Ck. TH via Piedra Rd., 10 mi. to Williams Lake, 14 to Moderate stock use 9,200' - 11,000' CR 600, then FS#639 to FS#640 Divide, few campsites North of the Continental Divide Elevatio n Gain Site-Specific from TH to How to Access Distances and Descriptions Stock Use Regulations Destination Archuleta Lake Big Meadows Rd to Big Meadows 7 mi. to Archuleta Lake, heavy use, Moderate stock use See pg. 2 9,360' - 11,760' Reservoir joins Continental Divide Trail Squaw Pass Upper Rio Grande Rd. FS#520 to 10 mi. to Cont. Divide, camping, Loading area 1/4 mi. 9,400' - 10,800' Thirty Mile CG, West Loop upper trail wet & boggy, heavy use before TH Ute Basin Upper Rio Grande Rd. FS#520 to Loading area 1/4 mi. 12 mi. to Twin Lakes, heavy use See pg. 2 9,600'- 11,800' Ute Creek TH before Thirty Mile CG Weminuche Pass Upper Rio Grande Rd FS#520 to Easy hike, good campsites, heavy Loading area located See pg. 2 9,400'- 10,600' Thirty Mile CG day use before TH Loop and Point-to-Point Trips Elevatio n Gain Site-Specific from TH to How to Access Distances and Descriptions Stock Use Regulations Destination Fourmiie Lake Anderson and Fourmiie THs via Fourmiie Trail above falls 15 mi. roundtrip See pg. 2 9,000'- 11,200' Fourmiie Rd., CR 400, to FS #645 not suitable for stock use Needleton to Elk Park D&SNGRR to Needleton to Elk 34 mi. Needleton to Elk Park loop Stock not recommended See pg. 2 or reverse Park or reverse available - consult good maps Pine River TH via CR 501 to 49 mi. from Vallecito to Pine Riv. Private property first 3 Vallecito to Pine River FS#602 to Pine River CG or TH via Rock Creek, Rock Lake, Moderate stock use mi. of Pine River Trail, or reverse Vallecito TH via CR 501 to Flint Creek, Flint Lake, Pine River stay on trail FS#600 to Vallecito CG 23-mi. loop via Williams Lake, Williams Creek TH via Piedra Rd., Williams Creek Continental Divide, Palisade Moderate stock use CR 600 to FS#639 and 640 Meadow Trail and Williams Creek Williams Creek TH via Piedra Rd., 23 mi. from Williams to Cimarrona Williams to Cimarrona CR 600, to FS#639 and 640 or via Continental Divide, Squaw Moderate stock use or reverse from Cimarrona TH on FS#640 Pass and Cimarrona Trail 1 - 6 Suggested Reading: • Backcountry Horse Use Leave No Trace Skills • How to Shit in the Woods. Meyer, Kathleen Rocky Mountains Leave No Trace Skills & Ethics • A Sand County Almanac. Leopold, Aldo 1949 • Soft Paths: How to Enjoy the Wilderness without Harming It. Hampton, Bruce and Cole, David • Walking in Wildness: A Guide to the Weminuche Wilderness. Boucher, B.J. 1998 • Wilderness Forever: Howard Zahniser and the Path to the Wilderness Act. Harvey, Mark • USGS Topographical Maps. U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25286, Federal Ctr, Bdg 41, Denver CO 80225, 303 202-4700; www.usgs.gov • Hiking Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness - Falcon Guide • Weminuche Wilderness Map - National Geographic #140 “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized •Topo maps are now available at: people are beginning to find out that going to the www.usgs.gov/pubprod/ mountains is going home: that wildness is a ne¬ • Chicago Basin Trip Planning Guide can be cessity.” found on the SJMA website at www.sjma.org John Muir - under “Area Information” “We simply need that wild country available .. .. to us ...for it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, as part These and other guide books and maps “Leave it as it is. The ages have been at of the geography of hope.” are available at www.sjma.org and can work on it, and man can only mar it.” Wallace Stegner be found in San Juan Mountains - Association bookstores. Teddy Roosevelt - ^ . -~v Get Involved! The Weminuche Wilderness There’s no better way to see the is managed by the Wilderness or share your love of it than San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests to volunteer. San Juan Mountains Association volunteers donate their time For information on areas For information on areas to hike, backpack, or ride their horses on Wilderness trails to provide important south of the Continental Divide: north of the Continental Divide: information to visitors on Leave No Trace ethics, USFS regulations, and trail San Juan Public Lands Office Rio Grande National Forest conditions. 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301 1803 W. Highway 160 The San Juan Mountains Association (970) 247-4874 Monte Vista, CO 81144 also sells interpretive books, maps, www. fs.fed. us/r2/sanjuan (719) 852-5941 Wilderness materials, and Smokey Bear www. fs. fed. us/r2/riogrande products at its bookstores and online Columbine Ranger District catalogue. Divide Ranger District West P.O. Box 439 The mission of this nonprofit 367 South Pearl St., Bayfield, CO 81122 P.O. Box 270 organization, is to (970) 884-2512 3rd & Creede Avenue promote responsible Creede, CO 81130 care of natural and Pagosa Ranger District (719) 658-2556 cultural resources through education and P.O. Box 310 Divide Ranger District East hands-on involvement 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 that inspires respect (970) 264-2268 13308 W. Highway 160 and reverence for our P.O. Box 40 lands. Silverton Public Lands Office Del Norte, CO 81132 MOUNTAINS SJMA P.O. Box 709 (719) 657-3321 ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 2261 1246 Blair St., Silverton, CO 81133 »»» SJMA Durango, CO 81301 (970) 387-5530 970 385-1210 USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. i