South San Juan Wilderness

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South San Juan Wilderness
South San Juan Wilderness.JPG
A mountain the wilderness area at the confluence of the Conejos and South Fork Conejos rivers
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Red pog.svg
Location Archuleta / Conejos counties, Colorado, USA
Nearest city Pagosa Springs, CO
Coordinates 37°40′N106°38′W / 37.667°N 106.633°W / 37.667; -106.633 [1]
Area158,790 acres (642.6 km2)
Established1980
Governing body U.S. Forest Service

The South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the San Juan National Forest, east of Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado. [2] The area, which spans 158,790 acres, was designated a Wilderness Area and put into the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1980 by the United States Congress. [3]

The Conejos, San Juan, and Blanco rivers all begin in the area. [3]

The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but there is no sufficient evidence yet to prove this. [4]

Recreation

The wilderness area contains: 32 lakes,[ citation needed ] many peaks above 13,000 feet (4,000 m), the highest of which is Summit Peak at 13,307 feet,[ citation needed ] and 180 miles (290 km) of hiking trails, that includes 42 miles (68 km) of the Continental Divide Trail. [4] [2]

References

  1. "South San Juan Wilderness". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "South San Juan Wilderness". Wilderness.net. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "South San Juan Wilderness: San Juan". Forest Service. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "High and Wild on the Continental Divide Trail, South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado". Sierra Club Outings. November 21, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2023.