| Because of the impenetrable forests and rugged terrain, state wildlife biologists rate the south San Juans the best suited habitat in Colorado for wilderness dependent species, such as grizzlies and wolverines, that thrive only in unmodified natural habitats rarely visited by humans. Both of the species were long thought to be extinct in Colorado, but circumstantial evidence points to their possible continued existence here. In 1979, some 25 years after the last grizzly sighting in Colorado, a bow hunter killed a startled sow in the south San Juans. Soon after, the Colorado Division of Wildlife launched a search for additional grizzlies in the area. Their snares and searches came up empty, but citizens unconvinced by the lack of evidence launched their own search in 1990. Several summers' efforts by volunteers of Round River Conservation Studies and Save Our San Juans uncovered hair samples, scat, and several reliable bear sightings, enough to convince knowledgeable bear authorities that grizzlies probably still roam this mountainous region.About 180 miles of trails available to hikers in the San Juans. The Continental Divide crosses the heart of the Wilderness for 42 miles. The South Fork of the Conejos River Trail will lead to the Conejos Peak Trail, which climbs north to the summit of Conejos Peak and offers a fantastic view into the heart of the area. Visitors can continue down to Blue Lake and return down the creek to where they started, a total distance of 22 miles.High peaks and cliffs, as well as pinnacles and ridges, make travel difficult. Elevations rise as high as 13,300 feet. Thirty-two lakes, most of them formed by glacial activity, hold much of the area's moisture and drain into turbulent creeks. The Conejos, San Juan, and Blanco Rivers have their headwaters here, and about 25 miles of the Conejos River has been recommended for wild and scenic designation. Erosion of rich volcanic rock in combination with heavy snowfall has produced ideal forestland, certainly among the best in the state. Forest ecosystems rise from the shadowy cover of magnificent lodgepole pine to aspen, then through Engelmann spruce and sub-alpine fir to alpine tundra. Much of the forestland has a peaceful, park-like quality under the trees where sun-starved undergrowth grows thin and low. |
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