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GCG739 January 1990 SAINT LOUIS PEAK ACREAGE: 12,800 acres in the Further Planning Area DESIGNATION RECOMMENDATIONS: FOREST SERVICE ARMSTRONG 86 unsuitable 55,100* WIRTH 24,160+ * proposed National Recreational Area, including williams Fork Area + includes Vasquez Peak Area FOREST: Arapaho COUNTY: Grand Land Area sq. miles 1,854 Public Land % of total 68 Forest Service land % 48 LOCATION: In the central part of the state, about 70 miles west of Denver and a few miles southeast of Kremmling. RECOMMENDATION: This area is unsuitable for wilderness designation, and is proposed to be designated as a National Recreation Area. The southern portion of the study area is an elongated narrow strip of land so close to major industry that it has no discernible wilderness characteristics. The northern portion, because it is contiguous to the Fraser Experimental Forest, makes wilderness management extremely difficult. In order to protect this ongoing experimentation, and to provide recreation opportunities close to the Denver metropolitan area, this study area is added to the Williams Fork proposal to make a large and unique area with varied recreation opportunities. GENERAL FEATURES: The elevations of the study area range from 9,000 to 12,800 feet. About 60% of the area is forested, with the rest being grassland and rocky or barren areas. SPECIAL FEATURES: The area borders the Fraser Experimental Forest. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: The area was studied during RARE II, and has been in study status since then. The Forest Service found this area unsuitable for wilderness designation. RELATION TO OTHER WILDERNESS: There are 8 existing wildernesses within a 50 mile radius of the study area, totaling 462,169 acres. The closest wilderness areas are Eagle's Nest Wilderness to the southwest and Indian Peak Wilderness to the northeast. The area is located near the Vasquez Peak and the Williams Fork study Areas. VEGETATION: 7,400 acres or 60% is forested with spruce fir and some lodgepole pines. The rest consists of grasslands. WILDLIFE: Big game species found in the area are similar to those found in the Vasquez Peak area. They include elk, mule deer, black bear and possibly mountain goat. Small game species include blue grouse, white-tailed ptarmigan, red squirrel and snowshoe hare.