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<br />000901
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<br />RAWAH WILDERNESS
<br />ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST
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<br />The Rawah is the smallest of the Wilderness and Primitive Areas in the Rocky Mountain
<br />Region, yet is one of the more heavily used, Located on the Laramie River side of the
<br />Medicine Bow Range, well south of the Wyoming and Colorado State line and north of
<br />Cameron Pass, it is entirely within the Roosevelt National Forest,
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<br />Originally established as a 25,720 acre Primitive Area under Regulation L-20, it is now a
<br />unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System and encompasses 26,674 acres of
<br />Government land and 690 acres of private land, for a total of 27,464 acres,
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<br />Roosevelt National Forest Supervisor William R, Kreutzer, famous early-day Forest Ranger
<br />whose career is described in Len Shoemaker's book Saga of a Forest Ranger, recommended
<br />establishment of the area on September 15, 1931, This report and management plan were
<br />revised on May 3, 1932, and received the approval of Regional Forester Allen S, Peck on
<br />May 6, 1932, Subsequently, Chief of the Forest Service R. Y. Stuart approved the plan and
<br />the Rawah Primitive Area was formally established on March 29, 1932.
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<br />The desirability of good geographic distribution and representative components in the
<br />system of Primitive Areas was evident even during those formative years, According to
<br />Kreutzer's report and management plan, "A location in this part of the Forest is far enough
<br />from Rocky Mountain National Park to justify its establishment, The Rawah Primitive Area
<br />is proposed because of the desirability of having an area representative of the high, rugged
<br />Medicine Bow Range in northern Colorado, , , , An area of this kind is especially desirable in
<br />this Forest, a large part of which has been made easily accessible by auto roads, and where
<br />all kinds of intensive and modern use prevail."
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<br />The management plan contained the usual Regulation L-20 provisions for timber harvest in
<br />the future if conditions warranted such action, Grazing of sheep and cattle under Forest
<br />Service permit would not be affected by Primitive Area designation, water developments
<br />would be permitted, and mineral prospecting and development would not be impaired,
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<br />Describing the Rawah, Kreutzer noted, "At the head of Rawah Creek are found glacial
<br />conditions, which include a small glacier and a number of beautiful glacial lakes, On the
<br />headwaters of the west branch of the Laramie River is an old glacial bed where both the
<br />terminal and lateral moraines are of considerable interest. From the Rawah Peaks to Clark's
<br />Peak is a very rough mountainous country where it is difficult to travel and requires great
<br />skill in mountain climbing to scale the summits."
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<br />Kreutzer pointed out that, "Camping will be allowed without permits at regular and
<br />designated camping places" ,," and added, ",., three loose rock fireplaces should be
<br />constructed at Government expense at the McI ntyre Lakes for the purpose of controlling
<br />and con fin ing the campfires,"
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