WSP06758

• File Number: 8507
• Description: Rio Grande Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 8/1/1982
• Title: Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Study Area Report - Pike & San Isabel National Forests
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Important lambing areas for bighorn sheep, elk
calving, and deer fawning areas totalling 28,300
acres have also been identified in the Buffalo Peaks
WSA.

11.

Visual Resource

The Buffalo Peaks WSA contains a variety of
landscapes typical of the Colorado Rockies. The
majority of the area does not possess highly
distinctive landforms or rockforms, or water bodies.
There are no lakes or significant ponds.

The Buffalo Peaks are highly visible from all
directions and are a focal landscape. Viewing is
normally from several miles, allowing the viewer to
visually combine the prominent landform of the peaks
with forested slopes and grassy parks of the
foreground.

Vegetation diversity is excellent with conifer/aspen
slopes intermingled with open meadows. Fall color
display is considered spectacular.

The visual variety class includes 16,640 acres of
Class A (outstanding) and 40,310 acres of Class B
(common). See Variety Class Map, Figure 7.

12.

Recreation

Buffalo Peaks has been well known to hiker,s and
horseback riders for many years. Historically, the
area was accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles
from Weston Pass on the north, and from the Granite
area on the west for' travel to and along the main
divide. Motor vehicle travel has been prohibited
from 1971 to the present time. Current use is
concentrated along Rich Creek in Buffalo Meadows and
on the access trails along Fourmile Creek and Rough
and Tumbling Creek. Recreation activities include
the traditional uses such as backpacking, horseback
riding, fishing, hunting, nature study,
cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

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