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000711 , ~.-'-\~j~.1 GORE RANGE-EAGLES NEST PRIMITIVE AREA White River and Arapaho National Forests Named for the spectacular Central Colorado mountain range and one of its principal peaks, the Gore Range-Eagles Nest Primitive Area is perhaps the most rugged, acre for acre, in the state. Originally established as two separate but contiguous Primitive Areas, one on each side of the Range, it is now a single unit under consideration by Congress for addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System. f" The Blue River side of the Gore Range, included in the Arapaho National Forest, was the first portion to be classified as a Primitive Area under Regulation L-20. Forest Supervisor J. V. Leighou submitted the report and management plan, recommending the 32,400 acre Primitive Area on May 20, 1930. It was approved on May 12, 1932, by Regional Forester Allen S. Peck, and by Forest Service Chief R. Y. Stuart on June 19,1932. Harold L. Borden, Supervisor of the Holy Cross National Forest, now part of the White River National Forest, prepared a similar plan for the other side of the Range on April 27, 1932. Revised on December 28,1932, and approved by Regional Forester Peck on February 16, 1 933, some 47,300 acres on the Holy Cross were designated as Primitive Area by Chief Forester Stuart on February 28, 1933. This brought the total acreage of the contiguous Primitive Areas in the two National Forests to 79,700 acres. I ~ Considered to be one of the more inaccessible mountain ranges in Colorado, the lack of knowledge, good maps, and trails was stressed in both Management Plans. "Travel is impossible, except on foot or with saddle and pack outfit and, with the exception of one trail traversing Black Gore, the country ;s accessible only by dim routes made possible for mule travel by the sheep permittees who graze their flocks on the scattering parks and narrow valleys which support a luxuriant vegetation.. .it is a sea of peaks, interspersed with steep, rugged canyons and precipitous slopes. . .," according to Supervisor Borden's plan. Supervisor Leighou used language not quite so expansive, but nevertheless descriptive: "Much of it is unexplored. There are no roads. . . . A few very rudimentary trails lead into portions of it. . . . The area is practically unused." The Arapaho side was grazed each summer by about 50 head of cattle under Forest Service permit. The Holy Cross reported no cattle using their portion, but some 3500 head of sheep were under permit. Both Forests noted that timber stands of commercial quality were present, and provided in their Management Plans for t"e future cutting of timber if the need and demand for the product should arise. Temporary roads would be permitted for the removal of the timber or to develop mining properties in accordance with the general provisions of L-20. Commercial uses, resorts and summer homes would not be permitted, and the Forest Service would install no facilities other than those needed for "sanitation and fire protection."