WSP08343

• File Number: 7630.225
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Elk River
• State: CO
• Date: 5/1/1977
• Title: Elk WSR Study-Background Information-Elk-Yampa Planning Unit-Inventoried Roadless Area Description
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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~, P.0ADLESS AREA l'P ANTI DP-l - SERVICE CnEEi:

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~ 1:he Gore Ro.nge. Th~y are boun<l by Harrison Creek ~:J .1:he norch and !ligh
'. Rock Creek and t1ornson Creek on the south, Gore 'llvlde on the east and
.'. tlle Forest boundary and r.lorrison Creel, on the west.

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The two area.s were inven1:oried a1: 57,500 acres. 'lore accura1:e neasure-
me!lts and the inclusion of contiguous roadless and undeveloned a,'eas
mis5ed or omitted in the original inventory brings the acrea~e to
67,900. Roadless Area DP-l containing 33,i\OO acres was recomMended by
the Regional Forester for designation as a Iii Iderness Study Area. It
was not selected by the Chief for Study, however, the Regional Forester
recommended the area remain roadless.

Elevations range from 7,000 feet to 10,300 feet. Vegetation in the
higher elevations consists of s~arce 1:0 dense lodgepole pine s1:ands,
Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Lower elevation vegetation is
TI'ainly Douglas fir and scatterec. ponderosa pine. Wet mountain meadows
and parks are scattere,! throughout the area. ~Jumerou5 granite outcrop-
pings occur in the area, and four major streams in the west half drop
rapidly in1:o the Yampa River, enhancing the scenic quality.

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With the exception of approximately 2,000 acres south of Service Creek
where timber was harve$Led in 1910, the area is in pris1:i:Je condition,

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An historic log flume, construcced in 1010, is also within che area.

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Recreation
occurring:
skiing and

use is low to moderate. We
fishing, hunting, camping,
horseback riding.

have a variety of activiLies
snOWMObiling, cross-country

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The area has a RARE Quality Index (QI-2) of 119, however, a 1977 Forest
review indicates the index should be 125. A newer Wilderness Duality
De1:erminatioll rating shows the area to hav~ a rating of 61 on a scale of
0-100,

Public interest in the area being designated for wilderness study is
divided. Wilderness, conservation groups, anrl TlivisiGI1 of Wildlife
favor study. Public interest in designation "ill probably con~inue to
iT~cTease. The area 30pears to satisfy crit~ria for wilderness.

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