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000697 " NATIONAL FOREST WILDERNESS IN COLORADO 1974 marks the 50th Anniversary of the designation of the first area in the United States to be "managed" so as to appear "unmanaged"-Wilderness. This first area-then known as the Gila Primitive Area-on the National Forest of the same name in New Mexico, was established by the District (Regional) Forester in Albuquerque on June 3,1924. Although eight years passed before the first National Forest Primitive Area in Colorado was established, the concept of managing large areas where natural processes can continue without interference by man first matured in the Colorado Rockies in 1919. The birthplace of the idea was Trappers Lake, at the foot of the spectacular Flat Tops which now comprise the Flat Tops Primitive Area in the White River National Forest. The man with the idea was Arthur Carhart, then employed as a "Recreation Engineer" by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Carhart, trained as a landscape architect, was assigned the task of plotting a number .of summer homesites and a loop road around Trappers Lake. While working out of Scott Teague's Camp near the lake, Carhart was persuaded by two of Teague's guests that the Forest Service should not allow development around the lake, and he devoted his energies to refining this new idea as part of an overall pattern of land management and use. Subsequently, Carhart utilized his landscape architects training and basic orientation to nature to prepare a functional plan to maintain the undeveloped conditions at Trappers Lake. H is supervisor, C. J. Stahl, agreed that the lake vicinity should remain roadless, and the original plan for the road and summer homes was dropped. As the Trappers Lake concept became known and discussed throughout the Forest Service, others considered the idea for their areas. In 1919, Aldo Leopold, Assistant District (Regional) Forester for District 3, with headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, visited Denver and met with Carhart. They discussed the new wilderness concept, and Leopold requested Carhart to prepare a memorandum for him on its key points. This was done and undoubtedly the discussion and memorandum helped Leopold shape his own ideas and formulate his proposal for the Gila Primitive Area in 1922, which led to its establishment in 1924. The Trappers Lake decision against development was reinforced through the years following 1919. Forest Supervisor Lewis R. Rist recommended establishment of the Flat Tops Primitive Area on December 17, 1929, revised the proposal on February 1, 1932, and it was recommended by the Regional Forester in Denver on February 18, 1932. Subsequently, on March 5, 1932, the Chief of the Forest Service approved the formal establishment of a 117,800 acre Flat Tops Primitive Area. Although Trappers Lake lies just outside the boundary of the Primitive Area (placed on the Flat Tops escarpment) it has been managed in an undeveloped condition to this day, and serves as a popular gateway for the many hikers, horseback riders, and nature enthusiasts who spend a day or week in the magnificent area.