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<br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />This proposal is the result of field reviews by the Forest Service. U.S. Department of <br />Agriculture. the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of <br />the Interior; and from consideration of recommendations made by interested groups and <br />individuals at public hearings held October 8 and 9. 1970. in Frisco, and October 12 and <br />13, 1970, in Denver, Colorado. Recommendations from other Government and State and <br />local agencies were also considered. <br /> <br />The proposed 87,755 acre Wilderness includes 58.650 acres of the Gore Range-Eagles <br />Nest Primitive Area plus 29.105 acres of adjacent National Forest lands in thirteen <br />areas which are suitable and available for Wilderness. Thirteen areas totaling 3.292 <br />acres formerly included in the Primitive Area are recommended for declassification. <br /> <br />The name, Eagles Nest Wilderness. is derived from Eagles Nest mountain, the most <br />prominent feature of the area seen from the Blue River valley. <br /> <br />Location <br /> <br />The proposed Eagles Nest Wilderness is included within the boundaries of the <br />Arapaho and White River National Forests in Eagle and Summit Counties all in north <br />central Colorado. It is approximately 60 miles west of Denver and 50 miles east of <br />Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Its boundary is accessible from Interstate Highway 70, <br />U.S. Highway 6, U.S. Highway 40, State Highway 9 and graded Forest roads. <br /> <br />Natural Resources <br /> <br />Recreation opportunities exist for camping, hiking. mountain climbing, riding. back- <br />packing, nature study. and the enjoyment of unique or unusual environment. in addition <br />to hunting and fishing. <br /> <br />Elk, deer, Rocky Mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, <br />and coyote inhabit the area. Smaller mammals and birds are plentiful. There are 35 <br />fishing lakes and 25 miles of fishing streams included in the area. <br /> <br />Water yield from the proposed Wilderness is an important benefit. The water yield <br />of the area is estimated at 149,200 acre feet in an average year. There are no water <br />impoundments or diversions within the proposed boundary. <br /> <br />Domestic and recreation livestock. and wildlife use the forage within the area. Use <br />of the forage for these purposes will be permitted as long as it remains compatible with <br />soil. water, wildlife. and the wilderness resource. <br /> <br />An estimated 17,300 acres of the proposed Wilderness is covered with mature timber <br />types with an estimated volume of 201,803.000 board feet. About 4,890 acres of the <br />area contains an estimated 56,622,000 board feet of timber which would be operable <br />under current logging methods. Future timber production potential is estimated to be <br />poor over most of the area because of shallow, rocky soils, steep terrain, and a short <br />growing season. <br /> <br />No areas which have produced paying quantities of minerals are known inside the <br />proposed boundary. The mineral producing lands in North Rock Creek are outside of <br />the proposed area. <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />135'~ <br />