The Complete Guide To Colorado S Wilderness Areas

Discover 69 wilderness areas--including seven new ones--showcasing everything from mountains to canyons, rushing rivers to desert landscapesA comprehensive guide to Colorado's wild areas Totally updated and revised Includes 74 maps and 90 photosMuch has changed in the landscape of Colorado's wilderness designations since the first edition of this book appeared in 1992. At the newly designated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, visitors peer into the depths of this narrow canyon that drops 2,000 feet to the Gunnison River below--and some choose to follow rugged backcountry routes down to the inner canyon. A trail in Spanish Peaks Wilderness, established in 2000, leads up one of these twin sentinels that rise above the edge of the high plains. Nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and standing up to 750 feet high, the dunes of the newly enlarged Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve are the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. Other recent additions to Colorado's protected lands include the Castle Peak Wilderness Study Area, Bull Gulch Wilderness Study Area, San Luis Hills Wilderness Study Area, and Demaree Canyon Wilderness Area. Colorado is one of the nation's primary adventure-travel destinations, and both visitors and locals will find this book the most all-inclusive reference available to the state's wildness areas. From the state's high peaks to its spectacular canyons and deserts, Exploring Colorado's Wild Areas provides detailed information on seasons, flora and fauna, geology, history and activities.

This is a thoroughly revised edition of the Historical Atlas of Colorado, which was coauthored by Tom Noel and published in 1994. Chock-full of the best and latest information on Colorado, this new edition features thirty new chapters, updated text, more than 100 color maps and 100 color photos, and a best-of listing of Colorado authors and books, as well as a guide to hundreds of tourist attractions. Colorado received its name (Spanish for “red”) after much debate and many possibilities, including Idaho (an “Indian” name meaning “gem of the mountains” later discovered to be a fabrication) and Yampa (Ute for “bear”). Noel includes other little-known but significant facts about the state, from its status as first state in the Union to elect women to its legislature, to its controversial “highest state” designation, elevated by the 2013 legalization of recreational cannabis. Noel and cartographer Carol Zuber-Mallison map and describe Colorado’s spectacular geography and its fascinating past. The book’s eight parts survey natural Colorado, from rivers and mountains to dinosaurs and mammals; history, from prehistoric peoples to twenty-first-century Color-oddities; mining and manufacturing, from the gold rush to alternative energy sources; agriculture, including wineries and brewpubs; transportation, from stagecoach lines to light rail; modern Colorado, from the New Deal to the present (including politics, history, and information on lynchings, executions, and prisons); recreation, covering not only hiking and skiing but also literary locales and Colorado in the movies; and tourism, encompassing historic landmarks, museums, and even cemeteries. In short, this book has information—and surprises—that anyone interested in Colorado will relish.

From the towering volcanic peaks of the Three Sisters Wilderness to the Wild and Scenic Snake River winding through Hells Canyon, from the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood to the gorges of Steens Mountain, this detailed guide takes you to outdoor adventures in both the famous and lesser-known of Oregon's Wilderness Areas. Learn about the natural, human, and geological history of these protected lands; climate; flora and fauna; and ongoing preservation efforts. Whether day-hiking or backpacking, cross-country skiing or boating, this book will help you to explore the variety of activities and natural treasures within Oregon's 40 designated Wilderness Areas. Also included are full descriptions of Oregon Cascades Recreation Area and Crater Lake National Park, not official Wilderness Areas but still major Cascade wildlands. In Oregon's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide, ecologist, writer, and photographer George Wuerthner brings the state's diverse wildlands together into one comprehensive, pack-along guidebook. Book jacket.

From hiking through red rock canyons and aspen forests to hitting the slopes, find your adventure with Moon Colorado. Inside you'll find: Strategic itineraries including a two-week road trip and quick getaways, with suggestions for outdoor adventurers, winter sports enthusiasts, history buffs, road-trippers, foodies, and more The top activities and unique experiences: Explore ancient pueblos or Wild West ghost towns, soak in a steaming hot spring, and spot wild elk, horses, and foxes. Savor fresh flavors at a farm-to-table restaurant and kick back with some of Colorado's delicious local microbrews Outdoor adventures: Go white-water rafting or kayaking on a frothing river, and hike slickrock trails to awe-inspiring views of snow-capped mountain peaks. Ski the deep powder of some of the country's top resorts and relax with a delicious après-ski drink Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Honest advice from Boulder local and lifelong adventurer Terri Cook on when to go, what to pack, and where to stay, from campsites and motels to B&Bs and resort lodges Reliable background on the culture, weather, wildlife, and history, plus tips on getting there and getting around by car, train, and public transportation Recommendations for families, LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, international visitors, and travelers with disabilities Full coverage of Denver, Boulder and the Northern Front Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado, Vail and the Central Rockies, Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, Mesa Verde and the Southwest, Colorado Springs and the Southeast With Moon's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the best of Colorado. Staying in the city? Try Moon Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs. Staying in the park? Try Moon Rocky Mountain National Park. For an all-outdoors adventure, try Moon Colorado Camping.

Riders across the state agree-there's nothing quite like discovering Colorado's legendary scenery from atop a favorite four-legged friend. From the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern Plains, from national forests to state wildlife areas, this guidebook has it all. Authors Sherry and Scott Snead detail 100 of the best trail rides in the state, including places to camp, where to park trailers, and other useful information. Whether you're a skilled equestrian ready for a challenge or a weekend trail rider in search of the perfect day trip, you're sure to find a ride that's right for you. With detailed trail maps, full-color photography, and helpful descriptions of each ride, Saddle Up, Colorado! is sure to be a permanent fixture in your saddle bag. Inside you will find: 100 scenic equestrian trail rides from across the state, Useful information and checklists for a safe ride, 81 handy color mops, 110 full-color trail photographs. Book jacket.

The Colorado Trail in Crisis addresses the sweeping transformation of western forests and wilderness ecosystems affected by climate change. This book is equal parts trail journal and synthesis of natural and human history. Karl Ford uses research on climate impacts to forests, wildlife, hydrology, and more to stress the urgent need for an action plan to reduce greenhouse gases and save forests and watersheds. Using his hike along the popular five-hundred-mile Colorado Trail to present his personal observations about more than a hundred miles of dead and dying forest, Karl Ford presents a brief environmental history of these areas of the state, weaving in scientific studies about forest mortality caused by insect infestations, wildfire, drought, and loss of snowpack, and describes the poor current prospects for reforestation as the climate continues to warm. His own Lakota ancestry, as well as historical references to local Tabeguache Ute Chief Ouray and displaced Ute populations, meaningfully frames important conversations about caretaking and connection to place. Ford also proposes potential solutions to drought and forest mortality problems, as well as varying approaches and limitations to mitigation efforts. The Colorado Trail in Crisis appeals to hikers and nature lovers seeking to learn about the natural history, beauty, and serenity of the Colorado Trail, as well as students, conservationists, and scientists researching climate change effects on Colorado mountain ecosystems.