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 of 1964
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 located near and just east of the Wilderness boundary at a location that provides nice vistas of the peaks surrounding the remarkable Sawtooth Mountain. It is a good-sized Rx pill vial covered with camo tape. Find it under the foot bridge adjacent to the small pond. It’s on a tiny island under the bridge. If you are careful, you will not get wet!
The cache can be reached by driving a difficult 4-wheel drive road. Alternatively, it can be reached by making a 6-mile round trip hike from parking at Beaver Reservoir. Either way, have fun!
CONGRATULATIONS TO NICKGATT ON FTF!
Near the Boundary--Indian Peaks Wilderness (I)
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Stopped at this nice spot for lunch and the view. Poked around a bit for the cache before we spotted it. TFTC!!!