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<br />IVIT, ZIRKEL WILDERNESS
<br />,Routt National Forest
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<br />The Park Range, extending south from the Wyoming-Colorado line to near Rabbit Ears Pass,
<br />forms a prominent barrier along the western edge of Colorado's North Park, Although the
<br />major peaks in the chain are not high by Colorado standards-Mt, Zirkel is just over 12,000'
<br />in elevation-the rise from the Yampa and Littie Snake Valleys to the west is great enough
<br />to cause heavy snowfall along the Range and comparatively light precipitation in the North
<br />Park rain shadow,
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<br />Located entirely within the Routt National Forest, the scenic climax of the Park Range was
<br />designated as a 43,120 acre Primitive Area by R, y, Stuart, Forest Service Chief, on October
<br />15, 1931, Forest Supervisor p, V, Woodhead recommeded establishment of the Primitive
<br />Area under Regulation L-20 on July 16, 1931, and his revised report was approved on
<br />November 12, 1931, by Regional Forester Allen S, Peck,
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<br />Woodhead's report and, management plan noted that the boundaries' ", , ,while appearing
<br />very irregular on the map, fit conditions on the ground", adding, "They were selected to
<br />include a natural primitive area and to exclude privately-owned lands, stands of timber
<br />subject to extensive exploitation, and sections of the Forests where roads, trails, and other
<br />improvements exist, Within this area, , ,all of which is National Forest land, there are several
<br />high rugged peaks, beautiful fishing lakes, and protective stands of lodgepole pine and
<br />Engelmann spruce timber,"
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<br />Economic considerations were inherent in the Mt, Zirkel-Dome Peak Primitive Area
<br />management plan, as in other areas established under Regulation L-20, Although
<br />improvements for recreation purposes, such as summer homes, lodges, and roads were
<br />prohibited, temporary roads and cabins would be permitted if needed for timber harvest,
<br />According to the plan, "Should there be an opportunity to sell timber in the area the
<br />approved marking plan will be applied, taking primitive values into account, Improvements
<br />needed in connection with logging operations can and should be restricted to minor Jogging
<br />roads and temporary structures such as choppers' cabins," The plan also pointed out that,
<br />"No cutting has been done and it is probable that there will be no demand for the timber
<br />until more accessible and more heavily timbered areas are cut over."
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<br />Prospecting and mineral development would not be affected in the Primitive Area, according
<br />to Woodhead, although he noted that no paying ore bodies had been located by 1931 in
<br />spite of widespread prospecting, The size of the area was increased to 53,400 acres on
<br />December 16, 1949, when the original Primitive Area was reclassified by Forest Service
<br />Acting Chief C, M, Granger as the Mt, Zirkel-Dome Peak Wild Area, This was accomplished
<br />as part of the Forest Service program of reviewing all Primitive Areas and including suitable
<br />areas under the more restrictive "U" Regulations, Wilderness Areas, over 100,000 ,acres,
<br />would be established under Regulation U-1, and Wild Areas, under 100,000 acres, would be
<br />established under Regulation U-2, Management would be identical for both, with
<br />commerical timber harvest prohibited and other more restrictive management guidelines in
<br />effect.
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