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000719 RAWAH WILDERNESS ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOR EST The Rawah is the smallest of the Wilderness and Primitive Areas in the Rocky Mountain Region, yet is one of the more heavily used. Located on the Laramie River side of the Medicine Bow Range, well south of the Wyoming and Colorado State line and north of Cameron Pass, it is entirely within the Roosevelt National Forest. Originally established as a 25,720 acre Primitive Area under Regulation L-20, it is now a unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System and encompasses 26,674 acres of Government land and 690 acres of private land, for a total of 27,464 acres. Roosevelt National Forest Supervisor William R. Kreutzer, famous early-day Forest Ranger whose career is described in Len Shoemaker's book Saga of a Forest Ranger, recommended establishment of the area on September 15, 1931. This report and management plan were revised on May 3, 1932, and received the approval of Regional Forester Allen S. Peck on May 6, 1932. SUbsequently, Chief of the Forest Service R. Y. Stuart approved the plan and the Rawah Primitive Area was formally established on March 29, 1932. The desirability of good geographic distribution and representative components in the system of Primitive Areas was evident even during those formative years. According to Kreutzer's report and management plan, "A location in this part of the Forest is far enough from Rocky Mountain National Park to justify its establishment. The Rawah Primitive Area is proposed because of the desirability of having an area representative of the high, rugged Medicine Bow Range in northern Colorado. . . . An area of this kind is especially desirable in this Forest, a large part of which has been made easily accessible by auto roads, and where all kinds of intensive and modern use prevail." ~ 'j The management plan contained the usual Regulation L-20 provisions for timber harvest in the future if conditions warranted such action. Grazing of sheep and cattle under Forest Service permit would not be affected by Primitive Area designation, water developments would be permitted, and mineral prospecting and development would not be impaired. Describing the Rawah, Kreutzer noted, "At the head of Rawah Creek are found glacial conditions, which include a small glacier and a number of beautiful glacial lakes. On the headwaters of the west branch of the Laramie River is an old glacial bed where both the terminal and lateral moraines are of considerable interest. From the Rawah Peaks to Clark's Peak is a very rough mountainous country where it is difficult to travel and requires great skill in mountain climbing to scale the summits." ii 'j .; Kreutzer pointed out that, "Camping will be allowed without permits at regular and designated camping places.. .," and added, "... three loose rock fireplaces should be constructed at Government expense at the Mcl ntyre Lakes for the purpose of controlling and confining the campfires."