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:' 000709 MT. ZIRKEL WilDERNESS Routt National Forest The Park Range, extending south from the Wyoming-Colorado line to near Rabbit Ears Pass, forms a prominent barrier along the western edge of Colorado's North Park. Although the major peaks in the chain are not high by Colorado standards-Mt. Zirkel is just over 12,000' in elevation-the rise from the Yampa and little Snake Valleys to the west is great enough to cause heavy snowfall along the Range and comparatively light precipitation in the North Park rain shadow. located entirely within the Routt National Forest, the scenic climax of the Park Range was designated as a 43,120 acre Primitive Area by R. Y. Stuart, Forest Service Chief, on October 15, 1931. Forest Supervisor P. V. Woodhead recommeded establishment of the Primitive Area under Regulation L-20 on July 16, 1931, and his revised report was approved on November 12, 1931, by Regional Forester Allen S. Peck. ! Ii I, ~ I Woodhead's report and management plan noted that the boundaries' ". . .while appearing very irregular on the map, fit conditions on the ground", adding, "They were selected to include a natural primitive area and to exclude privately.owned lands, stands of timber subject to exten~ive exploitation, and sections of the Forests where roads, trails, and other improvements exist. Within this area. . .all of which is National Forest land, there are several high rugged peaks, beautiful fishing lakes, and protective stands of lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce timber." Economic considerations were inherent in the Mt. Zirkel.Dome Peak Primitive Area management plan, as in other areas established under Regulation l-20. Although improvements for recreation purposes, such as summer homes, lodges, and roads were prohibited, temporary roads and cabins would be permitted if needed for timber harvest. According to the plan, "Should there be an opportunity to sell timber in the area the approved marking plan will be applied, taking primitive values into account. Improvements needed in connection with logging operations can and should be restricted to minor 1099in9 roads and temporary structures such as choppers' cabins." The plan also pointed out that, "No cutting has been done and it is probable that there will be no demand for the timber until more accessible and more heavily timbered areas are cut over." Prospecting and mineral development would not be affected in the Primitive Area, according to Woodhead, although he noted that no payin9 ore bodies had been located by 1931 in spite of widespread prospecting. The size of the area was increased to 53,400 acres on December 16, 1949, when the original Primitive Area was reclassified by Forest Service Acting Chief C. M. Granger as the Mt. Zirkel.Dome Peak Wild Area. This was accomplished as part of the Forest Service program of reviewing all Primitive Areas and including suitable areas under the more restrictive "U" Regulations. Wilderness Areas, over 100,000 .acres, would be established under Regulation U.1, and Wild Areas, under 100,000 acres, would be established under Regulation U-2. Management would be identical for both, with commerical timber harvest prohibited and other more restrictive management guidelines in effect.