| Just south of the Wyoming border in the Routt National Forest, the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area occupies 140,000 acres of unspoiled alpine terrain. This is the high country; up to 11,000 feet.As with much of northern Colorado's high country, the summer season runs short. Even in August, you're likely to see the occasional backcountry skier packing in boards for a summer run down a snowfield.The Mt. Zirkel Wilderness is big-view country: open tundra dotted with turquoise tarns, mountains towering overhead. The open terrain and easy accessibility to water gives you a wide selection of campsites, but do remember to use low-impact techniques. Although by Yosemite standards this wilderness is not overcrowded, its delicate alpine environment makes it especially vulnerable.The trails are passable by July, and you can make a 60-mile loop by linking together the main north-south routes. One of them runs smack through the middle of the wilderness; the other hugs the east side of the wilderness boundary. The link between them takes you right past 12,180-foot Mt. Zirkel. |
|
