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~r~'6 u~~~ . . Forest and named the Los Pinos River (SJNF Report 1942) . The Southern Ute Indian Reservation was reduced in size in 1874, opening the area to prospectors and mining activities which were followed by an influx of pioneers who established towns, farming and mining communities throughout the San Juan Basin. Each year the area attracts thousands of tourists visiting Mesa Verde, as well as fishing, hunting and participating in other outdoor recreational activities. CULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE WEMINUCHE PRIMITIVE AREA A search of the archaeological site files maintained by the Office of the State Archaeologist was conducted. No archaeological resources are recorded in the study area due to the lack of previous, intensive survey. Historic Preservation of the Colorado Historical Society files were examined. The Rio Grande Pyramid, 25/05/0002, The Window (LaVentana) 27/05/0002, Weminuche Pass, 27/04/0003, and the Last Grizzly Bear Sighting, 27/05/0001 are listed in their files within close proximity of the study area. There are no sites pending nomination to or on the National Register of Historic Places in the study area. However, until the two historic cabins (see herein) have been evaluated, they should be managed as significant or eligible to the National Historic Register. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES There has been no purposeful, systematic archaeological survey in the Weminuche Primitive Area in Hinsdale County along the Los Pinos and its tributaries. However, some sections of the San Juan Forest (Ward-Williams:1975) have been surveyed for cultural resources under the Cooperative Agreement between the U. S. Forest Service and the Office of the State Archaeologist. These unpublished reports are located in the Office of the State Archaeologist. This report indicates that areas within the San Juan Forest have been occupied by Archaic hunters and gathers, the Mesa Verde, and the Fremont People. (The Fremont Culture is generally associated with Eastern Utah and parts of Western Colorado and is another of the Late Prehistoric horticultural society.) During my Wild, Scenic River Study, very sparse evidence of prehis- toric man was identified at two locations (see Map). This sparse evidence consisted of two unmodified, chalcedony flakes. While the area is in close proximity to Mesa Verde and Chimney Rock, I did not find any evidence, in the form of structures or other features, that would indicate that people from these southern communities occupied this study area. It is felt that the Los Pinos Valley would surely have been utilized seasonally for hunting and 2