WSP02200

• File Number: 7630.350
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Los Pinos River
• State: CO
• Date: 10/1/1977
• Author: Betty LeFree
• Title: Los Pinos Reports and Supporting Material-Cultural Values of the Los Pinos River-San Juan National Forest-Hinsdale County-Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Cultural Values of the

LOS PINOS RIVER, SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST
HINSDALE COUNTY, COLORADO

Betty LeFree
Office of the State ArChaeologist of Colorado
October 1977

Under Public Law 93-621, the Los Pinos River (the segment from its
source, including the tributaries and headwaters within the San
Juan primitive Area, to the northern boundary of the Granite Peak
Ranch) has been designated for study for possible inclusion into
the National Wild Scenic Rivers system. Outstandingly remarkable
cultural values may contribute to its eligibility.

On the expedition of October 7, 1977, I represented the Office of
the State Archaeologist to evaluate the outstanding cultural values
of the area. The study was done on horseback and was a mild
limiting factor because of the distance from the ground and the
speed at which one travels, for intensively surveying the 25 miles
under study.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Southwest Colorado has been occupied by people from Prehistoric
times to the Present. The long archaeological continuum began with
the Paleoindian Folsom Complex dated between 11,000 and 9,000 B.P.
(Schroedel 1977) on the Uncompahgre Plateau and in Montrose County
within close proximity of the study area. This cultural complex is
characterized by distinctive fluted projectile points and an economic
dependence on hunting of large extinct mammals.

The Folsom Complex was succeeded by the Archaic (ca. 9,000 B.C.-l A.D.)
with many diversified projectile point shapes, the-continuation of
hunting, but, most importantly, the addition of the grinding stone,
an indication of a considerable utilization of wildplant seeds.

Late Prehistory saw the Anasazi widespread over the Southwest. This
culture developed most notably in southwest Colorado (e.g.: Mesa
Verde and Chimney Rock, both regions are on the National Register of
Historic Places). The earliest manifestations were the Basketmakers
beginning around A.D. 1, who rapidly developed into the large
agricultural Pueblo villages abandoned in the 13th Century.

In Historic times, southern Colorado was occupied by the Ute Indians.
In 1765, Captain Juan Marie de Rivera made the earliest recorded
expedition along the San Juan Mountains to the Gunnison River in
search of precious metals. He was followed by Padre Francisco
Escalante in 1776 who skirted the southern boundary of the San Juan