| The Raggeds Wilderness encompasses more than 59,000 acres on the Gunnison National Forest. The jagged ridges of the peaks of the give rise to the Wilderness' well-deserved name. Below these jagged peaks lies Dark Canyon of Anthracite Creek. The creek has slowly carved out the mysterious gorge, flanked by lands of aspen and spruce.Elevations within the Wilderness range from 7,000 feet to over 13,000 feet. The aspen stands north of Kebler Pass form one of the Raggeds most beautiful scenes. In the fall, these aspen create a patchwork of colors as they turn from green to golden yellow.Geologically, the range is comprised of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, with the reddish Colorado of the Maroon Formation accenting the Ruby Range. The same geologic formation creates bands of gray and ebony along the walls of Oh-Be-Joyful, one of Colorado's most scenic glacial valleys.Weather for the area can vary greatly; but generally, visitors can expect cool mountain climate. Normally the Raggeds Wilderness area is snow free from July to September, but conditions depend on the elevation and amount of snowfall each winter. Lower elevations from around 7,000 to 8,500 feet may become snow free by early June, but some creek and river water levels will be too high for crossing safely. The annual precipitation varies from 25 inches to 40 inches.Wildlife of the area includes elk, mule deer, black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, coyote, snowshoe hares, golden eagle and other small species. Streams are inhabited by native cutthroat, rainbow, brook and brown trout.Over 90 miles of constructed trails are available for both foot and horse travel through rugged terrain. Winter recreation is limited as the steep valley slopes make avalanches a real danger. Perhaps the safest area is the Oh-Be-Joyful Valley, which is located just to the east of the lodge at Lake Irwin. |
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