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Show any future plans affecting them. Local, State, and. Federal agencies should cooperate in planning for the use and development of these areas so that the people living in the basin and in other parts of the United States may enjoy the fullest benefits from them. WYOMING 1. Wind River Range. The western slope of the Wind River Range is a mountain area of such exceptional scenic quality and recreational value as to be of national importance. A number of peaks in the range reach elevations of more than 13,000 feet. Gannett Peak, the highest in Wyoming, reaches 13,785 feet, topping the Grand Teton by 20 feet. The Forest Service has set aside a large portion of this region of picturesque peaks, ridges, more than 900 lakes, and the largest glaciers in the United States as a wilderness area accessible only by trails. The main approach to the area is from the south over United States Highways 187 or 189. Highway 187 continues northwest to the Jackson Hole country. Low- standard roads lead from Highway 187 to the foot of the range, where several lakes are located at the mouths of ravines. With the improvement of access to the area it can become one of the major attractions of the Rocky Mountains for visitors from all parts of the United States. The recreational resources can become of major economic value to the nearby communities. 2. Fossil Quarries. Fossil Mountain west of Kem- merer, Wyo., and one of the quarries southwest of Granger, Wyo., should be preserved and developed as examples of the sites from which were obtained the famous fossil mammals, fish, birds, and plants exhibited in American and foreign museums. 3. Fort Bridger is the historic site of the famous trading post built by Jim Bridger in 1841 and served as a base of operations in the western fur trade, the Oregon Trail immigration, the Pony Express, and the Union Pacific Railroad. It was leased by the Federal Government as a military reservation in 1859 and abandoned in 1890. COLORADO 1. The San Juan- San Miguel- Uncompahgre Mountain area in southwestern Colorado is one of the most extensive spectacular mountain regions of the United States. This area, at the headwaters of the Dolores, San Miguel, Animas, Los Pinos, Rio Grande, Lake Fork, and Uncompahgre Rivers, is one of jagged, steep mountain peaks; deep precipitous canyons; dashing streams; beautiful waterfalls; lakes set in austere backgrounds; extensive timber- line areas and forests unmarred except by fire. For natural beauty of the grand and rugged mountain type, the area cannot be excelled. Numerous streams and lakes abound in trout. Deer, elk, mountain sheep, bear, beaver, grouse, and ptarmigan are all found in considerable numbers. The area is bisected by United States Highway 550, a scenic mountain road connecting Durango, Silverton, Ouray, and Montrose, Colo. At Red Mountain Pass the highway reaches an elevation of 11,018 feet above sea level. The Needle Mountains and the Grenadier Range, spectacular groups of mountain peaks, at least 18 of them more than 13,500 feet high, and three more than 14,000 feet high, are east of the highway between Durango and Silverton. The San Miguel Mountain section west of the highway varies in altitude from 9,500 feet to 14,250 feet at the top of Mount Wilson. The Uncompahgre section straddles the highway in the vicinity of Ouray. Uncompahgre Peak, 14,306 feet, Wetterhorn Peak, 14,020 feet, and Mount Sneffels, 14,143 feet above sea level, are the highest peaks, but several others in this section are more than 13,000 feet high. The area is a mecca for geologists. Here the whole story of glaciation is easy to read and such features as the great rock streams and mud flows, not duplicated elsewhere in the United States, are fully displayed. Extensive mining operations have been carried on in the region during the past 50 years and gold, silver, lead, and zinc are still found in limited quantities. Although the mining has taken its toll from the landscape in places, it has added a special interest. The visitor is amazed to see mine buildings perched high on almost sheer mountainsides, thrilled by finding pieces of rock containing silver or some other mineral in old mine dumps, and awed by the strip mining on top of Red Mountain, elevation 12,865. Lake San Cristobal at the head of Lake Fork of the Gunnison River is a popular recreation area, 204 |
