Hermosa Creek Wilderness
Hermosa Creek Wilderness | |
---|---|
wilderness area) | |
Location | La Plata County, Colorado, USA |
Nearest city | Durango, CO |
Coordinates | 37°31′08″N 107°58′23″W / 37.519°N 107.973°W |
Area | 37,236 acres (15,069 ha) |
Established | 2014 |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Hermosa Creek Wilderness is a 37,236-acre (15,069 ha)
Geology
Along Indian Trail Ridge, the highest terrain in the wilderness, the Paleozoic sediments are capped by younger Jurassic sedimentary rocks of the Dolores Formation. Along the southern, highest extent of Indian Trail Ridge, there are yet younger Jurassic rocks of the Morrison Formation and Entrada Sandstone that cap the ridge.[4][5]
Noticeably lacking in the wilderness are volcanic lavas, tuffs, and conglomerates common in other areas of the San Juan Mountains.[4][5]
The wilderness was weakly
Flora and fauna
Over 90% of the wilderness is forested, and the most common vegetation type, occupying 42% of the wilderness, is
Less common in the wilderness are meadows and shrublands. Alpine tundra, dominated by grasses and forbs, is limited to only the highest elevations of Indian Trail Ridge along the western margin of the wilderness. [6][7]
The wilderness provides habitat for mule deer and elk, both popular game animals. Other mammals include black bears, bobcats, coyotes, martens, porcupines, marmots, chickarees, and pikas. Waters in the wilderness are home to the native Colorado River cutthroat trout. Also present are two non-native, introduced species: brook trout and rainbow trout.[6]
Hiking
Travel through the wilderness is limited to those on foot and horseback. There are only two trails in the wilderness, and both follow creeks from their headwaters on the western border of the wilderness down to the eastern border of the wilderness along Hermosa Creek. The Salt Creek Trail (Forest Trail 559) is 5.6 miles (9.0 km) long and descends 2,600 feet (792 m) in elevation. The Clear Creek Trail (Forest Trail 550) is 7.2 miles (11.6 km) long and descends 2,800 feet (853 m) in elevation. Only one trailhead provides direct access to these trails. The Clear Creek Trailhead (elevation 10,180 feet (3,103 m)) allows access to the western terminus of the Clear Creek Trail. Accessing either end of the Salt Creek Trail and the eastern terminus of the Clear Creek requires hiking on popular mechanized (bicycle) and motor vehicle use trails that encircle the wilderness.[1][8][9][10]
References
- ^ a b "Hermosa Wilderness". San Juan National Forest. U.S. Forest Service.
- ^ "Hermosa Creek Wilderness". Wilderness.net. Wilderness Connect.
- ^ "Indian Trail Ridge". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Larson, Esper S. Jr.; Cross, Whitman (1956). Geology and Petrology of the San Juan Region, Southwestern Colorado. Professional Paper 258. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Larson, Esper S. Jr.; Cross, Whitman (1956). Geology and petrology of the San Juan region, southwestern Colorado: Map. Professional Paper 258. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Establishment Record for the Hermosa Research Natural Area on the Columbine Ranger District within the San Juan National Forest, La Plata County, Colorado (PDF). Durango, Colorado: San Juan National Forest. 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan: Environmental Assessment (PDF). Bayfield, Colorado: Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Salt Creek Trail (559)". San Juan National Forest. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Clear Creek Trail (550)". San Juan National Forest. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Trailhead and trail information is available at Colorado Trail Explorer. This includes information on the Salt Creek Trail and the Clear Creek Trail. Off-trail distances can also be computed. Accessed 25 February 2021