Wilderness -- "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain ... an area protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions." —The Wilderness Act
Indian Peaks Wilderness is located in Roosevelt and Arapahoe National Forests, and encompasses 76,711 acres. It protects the spectacular mountain environment of serrated ridges and jagged peaks that straddle the Continental Divide between Rocky Mountain National Park and James Peak Wilderness. The wilderness became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by a Congressional Act in 1978. Many of the peaks within this wilderness area were named for American Indian tribes of the west, and hence it’s name. Elevations within the wilderness range from 8,300 to over 13,500 feet. Seven mountains rise above 13,000 feet (the highest is North Arapaho Peak at 13,502 feet), and 35% of the land area within the wilderness is above treeline. Indian Peaks Wilderness has 28 maintained trails covering approximately 133 miles. Icy winds off the perpetual snowfields have created an environment near treeline of stunted trees and alpine flora that is unusual for this part of Colorado. Because of its location near the major population centers from Denver to Cheyenne, it is one of the most popular and heavily used Wilderness Areas in the United States. Enjoy your time here!
The cache is a small container hidden near the trail along its approach to the Wildeness Area trail sign. Because it is on the ground, it is infeasible to find the cache when snow is present. Enjoy your hike to the cache vicinity. If you have time, continue along the trail to Buchanan Pass. From the pass, the summits of Sawtooth Mountain (elevation 12,304 feet) and Point 12,391 (aka Red Deer Mountain) are reached by easy scrambles over alpine tundra and rocks. For the more adventurous, a traverse from Sawtooth to "Algonquin" (12,574 feet) can be made. Reaching these three peaks takes time; because they are all far above timberline, be prepared for possible windy conditions, and be certain to retreat quickly if thunderstorms develop in the region. From any of these peaks, views of the rugged landscape encompassed by the Indian Peaks Wilderness are stunning.
CONGRATULATIONS TO sassydil FOR THE FTF!!
Near the Boundary--Indian Peaks Wilderness (III)
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