Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Stanley Creek, Green Mountain Green Mountain, Royal Gorge Field Office Photo: Jaimie Reiss The intent of this report is to present objective data to illustrate that the area in question qualifies as Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC), in accordance with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Manuals 6310 and 6320. The information presented in this report meets the minimum standards for review of new information per Manual 6310, and accordingly BLM must review this information and make its findings and documentation of the review process available to the public as soon as practicable.
Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Stanley Creek, Green Mountain BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, Front Range District BLM Unit Identifier: CO-020-037 (Stanley Creek) Submitted by: Wild Connections 2168 Pheasant Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 info@wildconnections.org; (719) 686-5905 Prepared by: John Sztukowski, Wildlands Inventory Coordinator, Wild Connections john@wildconnections.org; (817) 939-4239 Jaimie Reis, 2013 Summer Mapping Intern, Wild Connections Report Date: March 2015 Table of Contents Map of Stanley Creek, Green Mountain LWC... 3 Overview... 4 Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations... 6 I. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands.... 6 II. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature.... 9 III. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation.... 10 IV. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected. 11 Summary Conclusion... 13 Stanley Creek, Green Mountain Proposed LWC Waypoints... 14
Map of Stanley Creek, Green Mountain LWC 3
Overview The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) unit totals approximately 5,500 acres in south-central Colorado. It is located a few miles southeast of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, in southwest Huerfano County. This unit ranges from an elevation of approximately 8,500 feet up to 11,380 feet as the unit climbs south to Green Mountain, lying on the northern slope of Green and Slide Mountains and the greater Blanca Massif area, including Blanca Peak. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC forms a triangular shape, with the tip at the northernmost section near the confluence of Huerfano River and Stanley Creek. The unit extends southwest and southeast from there, where it meets the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and San Isabel National Forest respectively, both of which border the southern boundary. County Road 580 and Huerfano River border the unit to the west, which separate the proposed LWC from the Huerfano State Wildlife area. The eastern boundary of the unit is bordered by the Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block, as well as some private lands. In sum, roughly 75% of the proposed LWC is surrounded by state and federal land, as per the Stanley Creek map insert in BLM s 2010 Colorado Blanca Peak map. This unit supports a diversity of plant and wildlife habitats, due to its topographic variety and assorted ecosystems. Rolling hills are predominant in this unit, consisting of open meadows with numerous wildflowers and mixed forest groves of aspen, pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and blue spruce. Riparian life is also abundant in the unit as it sources the Huerfano River, Stanley Creek, Deep Canyon Creek, and Manzanares Creek, among other unnamed creeks, tributaries, and gulches that drain south through the unit. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC supports numerous wildlife species with high habitat and range values including black bear, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain lion, and the threatened and endangered species Canadian lynx. Valued bird species are abundant as well in the proposed LWC, including wild turkey and woodpeckers. Fish species, specifically brook trout, were also observed in the proposed LWC in Huerfano River. This is also a watershed for the imperiled fish species, the greenback cutthroat trout. Opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation are abundant in the 5,500 acre contiguous roadless area that forms the proposed Stanley Creek, Green Mountain LWC. The many creeks and gulches, forested rolling hills, and high elevation mixed forests provide extensive opportunity for solitude in the forms of isolation, remoteness, lack of visitation and vegetative screening. Primitive recreation is also available in all seasons, including hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and photography. In 2013 the BLM inventoried this unit (delineated by the yellow line in the above map), with a contiguous area of 5483.5 acres and identified as COF-020-037 (Stanley Creek). The BLM s report asserts that this unit does not possess wilderness characteristics because the area does not appear natural due to man-made features. The man-made features referred to in the report are seven two-track routes, range use, and old cabins and homesteads. However the BLM report for this unit 4
finds that only the two-track routes affect the overall naturalness of the area. The BLM did not inventory this unit for wilderness characteristics beyond naturalness. The BLM s claim that the two-track routes affect the overall naturalness of the area is conflicting. As stated in the BLM report, none of these routes are open to the public and only one is used as a BLM and USFS administrative route. The routes in the unit may be used for range improvement purposes, however given the general lack of use and maintenance, Wild Connections in-depth onthe-ground inventory assesses that these routes can remain within the unit as ways. Even the BLM report states, Due to the lack of use, the routes are fading, but are still noticeable along the landscape. Nevertheless, these routes that are being reclaimed by nature and do not affect the natural integrity or the apparent naturalness of the unit overall and therefore the unit does possess naturalness characteristics (BLM Manual 6310, p 6-7). BLM's Manual 6310 states that the boundary delineation for a LWC unit "is generally based on the presence of Wilderness Inventory Roads" but can also be based on property lines between different types of land ownership or on developed rights of way (Manual 6310, p 4). These were the parameters Wild Connections used to decipher the boundaries of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. Only after the true boundaries of the contiguous roadless unit are identified can an objective and thorough assessment of that unit's wilderness characteristics be made. In the spring of 2013, Wild Connections produced a preliminary boundary delineation for this unit based on the size and contiguity requirements stated in Manual 6310 (p 6). During the following summer and fall months of 2013, Wild Connections' mapping teams visited the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC several times to conduct in-depth, on-the-ground inventories of this unit. Our goal was to assess this area for wilderness characteristics, based on BLM's Manual 6310, and report our findings to the BLM's Royal Gorge Field Office in efforts to identify potential wilderness areas to expand "wildlands" corridors in central Colorado. Additionally we have reviewed the 2013 BLM RGFO inventory and report and have made assessments and adjustments based on our in-depth field inventories. Wild Connections report offers new in-depth data and information, including photo, narrative, and geo-referenced data, supporting the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. The boundary delineations and narratives describing the wilderness characteristics found within this unit are detailed below. Waypoints (many with photos) are referenced throughout this report; the photos with geo-data, time and date stamp, description, and page number can be found at the end of the report, akin to the one shown below. 5
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (17) - SSW View of Green Mountain from the montane grasslands in the W interior (p. 12) Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations I. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC comprises approximately 5,500 contiguous roadless acres, surpassing the minimum size criteria of 5,000 acres to qualify for wilderness, as specified in BLM's Manual 6310 (p 6). With regard to route determination, this manual states that a "way" maintained solely by the passage of vehicles does not constitute a "road" for purposes of inventorying wilderness characteristics. A "way" that is used on a continuous and regular basis still does not constitute a road. Additionally, a vehicle route that was constructed by mechanical means, but is no longer being maintained by mechanical methods is also not a road. By comparison, a Wilderness Inventory Road (WIR) is a vehicle road that has "been improved and maintained by mechanical means to ensure relatively regular and continuous use" (Manual 6310, p 11). Wild Connections' inventory of this area assesses routes that are or are not considered WIRs based on the above definitions. Much of the proposed Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC (4,861 of the 5,500 acres) was recently acquired in 2003 via a land exchange known as the Stanley Creek parcel. This land was acquired to consolidate public land ownership and provide the public an increased opportunity for recreation, including hunting opportunities. The BLM also states that it brings important natural resource values into federal ownership, including significant wildlife habitat, 6
wetlands, and riparian resources. Wild Connections agrees with this summation and this report supports these claims and provides additional documentation for the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain unit to be considered for Lands with Wilderness Characteristics. The northernmost section of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is bordered by the Huerfano State Wildlife Area. The Huerfano State Wildlife Area borders most of the western portion of the unit of the proposed LWC as it heads southwest, aided by County Road 580, which borders the unit intermittently. County Road 580 borders the unit for a very short distance at Waypoint 5, and then again for approximately one-quarter mile in between Waypoints 6 and 10. The western boundary south of Waypoint 10 is bordered by private property, inaccessible to the public until the south-westernmost point at Waypoint 11, where the unit is bordered by the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness to the south. Huerfano River, which parallels County Road 580, flows northeast along the southwest boundary, in and out of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. One of two public entrance points into the interior of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC can be accessed from the western boundary off of County Road 580 at Waypoint 2, through the Huerfano State Wildlife Area. The trailhead is located just east of here at Waypoint 4, where the trail immediately crosses the Huerfano River, and then heads south into the proposed LWC at Waypoint 12, approximately one-third of a mile from the trailhead. This trail, like many of the trails in the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC, shows indications of former motorized use. However all trails within the unit are closed to motor vehicles, with access limited to foot, mountain bikes, and horseback, as per the Stanley Creek map insert in the BLM 2010 Colorado Blanca Peak map. This trail from the northwest temporarily leaves the proposed LWC into the Huerfano State Wildlife Area at Waypoint 13, however it rejoins the proposed LWC about 300 feet later as it continues southwesterly. This former road shows indications of revegetation, as viewed in Waypoints 14, 15 (right) and 18. As this trail makes its way east, it meets up with other interior former roads, now non-motorized trails. For example, it meets the Stanley Creek Trail at Waypoint 20 and a ridge trail just west of here at Waypoint 22, both of which head north to the boundary of the unit. Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (15) - WNW Revegetation on the W public access non-motorized trail, former road (p. 7) The Stanley Creek Trail, a nonmotorized trail along Stanley Creek, also shows revegetation in the former road as indicated in Waypoints 25 and 29. As the trail continues 7
north to the unit boundary, public access ceases at Waypoint 31 into private property, as indicated in the photopoint. The Stanley Creek Trail rejoins the proposed LWC for a short distance, however it ends again into private property, with the trail gated off as seen in Waypoint 32. The Stanley Creek trail is also inaccessible to the public from the north, as Waypoint 1 shows a private gate from County Road 580. In between Waypoints 1 and 32, along the private section of the Stanley Creek Trail, stems another former road, now non-motorized trail, into the proposed LWC just west of the Stanley Creek Trail that is also inaccessible to the public. Waypoint 33 shows where this trail within the proposed LWC meets private property to the north at a gate with a Private Property sign and a BLM sign stating Leaving Public Lands. Revegetation of this former route is also evident, as seen in Waypoints 35 and 37. The other public entrance point into the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is located at the eastern boundary, via County Road 575 in the Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block. Motorized access ends at a gate in the Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block at Waypoint 41, a little more than a mile north of the proposed LWC. Entrance into the proposed LWC can be found at Waypoint 42, denoted by a gate with a BLM Public Land sign. This trail passes through another gate within the unit about one-third of a mile south of here at Waypoint 43. This BLM trail, similar to the other former roads found within the unit, shows considerable indications of revegetation, as evidenced in Waypoints 45 and 46. Note Waypoint 46 shows a trail junction, however both of these trails are barely discernible due to an overall lack of observed use, particularly with no more motorized use allowed at all in the area. A second entrance point into the eastern portion of the unit was found from Waypoint 41 above, where motorized access concludes in the Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block. This entrance is located at Waypoint 55, approximately one-quarter mile east of the public entrance denoted by the BLM sign in Waypoint 42 above. As seen in Waypoint 55, a barbed wire gate marks the entrance into the unit. This trail goes in and out of the proposed LWC along the eastern boundary. No signs were posted along this trail, however additional gates were encountered at Waypoints 52 and 54, the latter of which picks up Deep Canyon Creek. This trail also shows signs of considerable revegetation, as indicated in Waypoint 48, which features a former road above a culvert being overtaken by grasslands. One other potential entry point into the proposed LWC is located in the southeast unit at Waypoint 50. Here the unit borders the San Isabel National Forest to the south, near where Manzanares Creek passes through the unit. Access to this point from the south via the National Forest is unknown, however given the revegetation shown in the route and BLM s stipulation that all trails in the Stanley Creek parcel is limited to foot, horseback, and bicycle use, it can be deduced that this is also a non-motorized trail. 8
II. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature, with human impacts considerably unnoticeable within the unit. Public access into the unit is limited to two defined public access points, neither of which allow for motorized use. Additionally, other trails found within the unit also showed a lack of motorized use and an overall apparent lack of regular use, with the forces of nature reclaiming many of the former roads. Human impacts that were observed in the proposed LWC were either minor or happened a considerably long time ago, both of which will be detailed below in this section. The proposed LWC offers many vegetation types, due to the topographic variety and diverse ecosystems found within this unit. Many gulches and creeks flow through the proposed LWC, offering rich riparian life. Waypoint 44 offers an excellent example of the lush vegetation that can be found in one of these gulches; this one located in the eastern portion of the unit. Similarly, Waypoint 34, taken in a gulch in the northern section of the unit, shows a dense marshland with a game trail in it bounded by heavy vegetation. Waypoint 19 shows an example of the flora found in the riparian areas, displaying corn lily in a gulch that flows into Stanley Creek near the center of the proposed LWC. Groves of high-elevation mixed forests and montane grasslands are also common within the rolling hills of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. Waypoints 23 and 53 (right), taken in the central and eastern portions of the unit respectively, provide sound examples of the dichotomy of these two ecosystems that are found in conjunction throughout the unit. Observed grasslands within the unit were noted to have many flowers and plants, including lupine, yarrow, chives, sage, thistle, chicory, and many unidentified wildflowers. Rabbitbrush, mullein, and weeping juniper were also observed, primarily in the northern section of the unit, near Waypoint 27. Waypoint 14 illustrates the cross-section of trees Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (53) - SE Montane grassland leading to high elevation mixed forests with Slide Mountain in the background (p. 9) found in the unit, showing a trail in the western portion of the unit descending into a mixed forest of aspen, ponderosa pine, and blue spruce, with a few pinyon pines mixed in as well. Much of the exploration in the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC consisted of untrammeled naturalness, however there were some minor human impacts noted. The minor human impacts found within the unit primarily consisted of former roads now trails, gates, fences, and signs, as documented in the previous section. 9
A few former cabins, now considered historic, were also observed throughout the unit. An old cabin with a collapsed roof was observed in the northern section of the unit along Stanley Creek at Waypoint 24. Remnants of two more cabins were observed a little bit north of here along Stanley Creek at Waypoint 28. Another former cabin was observed in the southeastern portion of the unit at Waypoint 49. One more deserted cabin was observed in the unit, in the northwest section at Waypoint 38, with the forces of nature taking over as the cabin has succumbed to a grove of aspen. While there are a few minor human impacts spread throughout the proposed LWC, these are examples of human-made features that are considered substantially unnoticeable and thus do not hinder wilderness characteristics (BLM Manual 6310, p 6). Furthermore what was found and inventoried does not affect the natural integrity or the apparent naturalness of the unit overall (BLM Manual 6310, p 6-7). III. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC offers many opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. Given the topographic variety, the few entry points, dearth of motorized trails, and observed lack of overall use, there are vast opportunities for solitude. The many densely vegetated gulches and creeks, amid the rolling hills of the interior unit, provide excellent screening from unnatural sights and sounds. Waypoint 26, taken in the central interior of the unit in Stanley Creek, shows an excellent example of the vegetative screening available for solitude. Furthermore, the lack of visitation to the unit provides outstanding opportunities for respite and remoteness just about anywhere in the proposed LWC. Consisting of nearly 5,500 acres of contiguous unroaded wilderness land, the proposed LWC offers a variety of primitive and unconfined recreational opportunities as well. There are outstanding opportunities for hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and photography. There are great opportunities for camping throughout the unit. Primitive camping is available in the western portion of the unit off of County Road 580 at Waypoint 7 with established campgrounds. Hunting and fishing are also available within the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. The BLM Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (21) - S Horseback riders on trail in the central interior (p. 11) 10
claimed that one of the purposes of this land acquisition was in part to increase public recreation, notably hunting opportunities. Fishing opportunities are also present in the unit, to the west in Huerfano River. Waypoint 8 shows a natural dam that has formed in the Huerfano River within the unit, providing a pool in which trout were observed. Public access to the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC is limited to foot, bicycle, horseback, all of which were observed within the unit. The former road system, now being reclaimed by nature, provides outstanding opportunities for the above transportation. Hiking was observed in Waypoint 39, in the western section of the unit. Biking was observed in Waypoint 47, in the eastern section of the unit. And horseback riders were observed in the central interior at Waypoint 21, above. In fact, this area is maintained by the Rocky Mountain Back Country Horsemen, as indicated by the sign at the western trailhead in Waypoint 3. IV. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected. Wild Connections inventory of the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC, in addition to its historical value, supports the existence of numerous supplemental values that contribute to the overall experience of visiting this area and provide additional evidence that this unit's unique qualities should be recognized and protected. The majority of these values support the area s regional ecological importance and rich biodiversity. The supplemental values presented below are not intended to be exhaustive, rather a summarization of some of the widely known significant values for which basic data was available to complement our on-the-ground inventory. The proposed LWC is contiguous with the greater Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and San Isabel National Forest, a vast corridor of species connectivity. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC unit extends this connectivity core 5,500 acres north to lower elevation foothills, critical habitat for many species and also provides a contiguous connectivity corridor to the Huerfano State Wildlife area and Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block. Rocky Mountain Wild s (RMW) Assessment of Biological Impact (ABI) identified high habitat and range values for many wildlife species in the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. RMW documented the following mammals and associated values within the unit: Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) potential habitat; Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Canadensis) overall range, summer range, winter range, and winter concentration area; black bear (Ursus americanus) overall range and summer range; elk (Cervus Canadensis) production area, overall range, summer range, summer concentration area, winter range, and severe winter range; mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) concentration area, overall range, summer range, winter range, severe winter range; white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overall range; mountain lion (Puma concolor) overall range; Brazilian free tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) overall range; and Gunnison s prairie-dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) overall range. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) also identifies wolverine (Gulo gulo) habitat in this area. A few of these species garner additional recognition. The most notable animal species affiliated with the proposed LWC is the Canadian lynx, which is listed as a threatened species by the US Fish 11
and Wildlife Service (FWS), an endangered species by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and a species of most concern by the US Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program s (WCRP) Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). Gunnison s prairie-dog is also listed as a species of most concern by WCRP s CWCS and Colorado BLM sensitive and the Brazilian free tailed bat is a Colorado state ranked critically imperiled species. No mammals were observed directly within the proposed LWC, however signs of animals were present in the interior. Waypoint 36 shows deer bones with a hoof in the eastern section of the unit. Deer tracks and scat were also observed throughout the unit. Waypoint 30 shows healthy aspen in the northern section of the unit that appear to have been a source of food for elk in the past. Trout populations exist within the unit as well, as observed in Huerfano River. Waypoint 9 captured a brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Huerfano River in the western portion of the unit, which is camouflaged with the riverbed under the near log in the photopoint. The FWS and CPW threatened species and CWCS species of most concern, the greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorchynchus clarki stomias), also takes refuge in this river, as per RMW s ABI report. A couple of reptiles, in the form of horned lizards (Phrynosomatidae), were observed in the proposed LWC. Waypoint 40, right, captures one of these lizards in the western section of the unit. Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (40) - ESE Horned lizard observed in NW interior (p. 12) Valued bird species were also identified as habitants in the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC. RMW identifies wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) overall range and winter range; the CNHP also identifies woodpeckers to dwell in the area. Other birds were also observed and heard within the unit, but remain unidentified. Scenic views are abundant in the proposed LWC, given the rolling landscape of the interior and the great elevation changes. The Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC lies on the northern slope of Green and Slide Mountains, both of which can be viewed in many of the higher elevation areas throughout the unit. Waypoints 17 and 51 provide views of Green Mountain and Slide Mountain respectively. The Wet Mountains can be viewed to the northeast and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west, as seen in Waypoint 16. The 5,500 acre proposed wilderness is noteworthy for its disparate geological features. The northern section of the unit, also the lowest elevation section at about 8,500 to 90,00 ft, is composed primarily of Pennsylvanian sandstone and conglomerate. Sandstone is also found throughout the western section of the unit, along with siltstone, from the Tertiary era. The eastern and central portions of the unit consist of some of the oldest rocks in Colorado primarily 12
gneiss, specifically felsic and mafic gneiss from the Early Proterozoic age. The above geological data was obtained from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Mineral Resources on-line spatial data, selected for Colorado's geology. Summary Conclusion Based on Wild Connections' on-the-ground inventories, the proposed Stanley Creek, Green Mountain LWC qualifies as Land with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) according to BLM's Manual 6310. This unit exceeds the 5,000 contiguous roadless acreage minimum, as the proposed LWC offers approximately 5,500 contiguous roadless acres. Given the size of the unit, lack of significant human impacts, disparate topography, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, the Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC offers outstanding wilderness characteristics - including apparent naturalness and outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. This unit s wilderness characteristics are further supported by numerous supplemental values, as documented above. While much of the proposed LWC consists of untrammeled wilderness, human impacts were found. As documented, former roads, fences, gates, and signs were observed within the unit. Nevertheless these are minor human impacts, consistent with BLM Manual 6310, as the natural integrity and the apparent naturalness of the proposed LWC in total is not compromised. Furthermore, the former roads within the unit show considerable amounts of revegetation and now primarily support horse, foot, and bicycle traffic. Multiple former homesteads and old cabins were also observed within the unit. However given their condition and perceived age, these structures, or portions of structures, should be considered historical and thus an overall benefit to the proposed LWC. Wild Connections inventory has documented the necessary boundaries as well as the wilderness characteristics within the unit. This overview provides new information, including narrative, photo, and geo data, and supporting maps, documenting that the 5,500 acre Stanley Creek, Green Mountain proposed LWC meets wilderness criteria. This area possesses Lands with Wilderness Characteristic status and its wilderness values should be protected and preserved. It is imperative that the BLM recognize and protect these values in their land management decisions, so that these unique and abundant wilderness qualities are sustained. 13
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain Proposed LWC Waypoints The following photographs correspond with the numbered Waypoints on the above Stanley Creek, Green Mountain map and may be referred to in the report narrative describing the wilderness characteristics. The direction of view (16 point Cardinal) is indicated in the bolded caption. Below this is a short description of the photo, with the referenced page number(s) in parenthesis. The photos are also watermarked with the direction (degrees and cardinal) in the top right, date and time in the bottom right, elevation in the bottom center, and the latitude and longitude in the bottom left. Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (1) - SSE No public access to Stanley Creek trail from County Rd 580 to the N (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (2) - E Public access from County Rd 580 via Huerfano State Wildlife Area to the W (p. 7)
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (3) - S Sign Trail Maintained by Rocky Mountain Back Country Horsemen at W trailhead (p. 11) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (4) - E W Trail entrance via Huerfano State Wildlife Area, with footbridge over the Huerfano River (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (7) - NNW Established campgrounds in the W unit off of County Rd 580, near the Huerfano River (p. 10) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (8) - E Huerfano River in the W unit (p. 11) 15
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (9) - E Trout in the Huerfano River, in the W unit (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (10) - ESE W boundary at County Rd 580 (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (12) - SSW W trail enters unit; Green Mountain in background (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (13) - SW Trail junction at W boundary point (p. 7) 16
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (14) - ESE W trail descending into high elevation mixed forest of aspen, ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, and blue spruce (p. 7,9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (15) - WNW Revegetation on the W public access non-motorized trail, former road (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (16) - WNW View of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from the unit s W interior (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (17) - SSW View of Green Mountain from the montane grasslands in the W interior (p. 12) 17
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (18) - ESE Revegetation of former road, now non-motorized trail, in the central interior (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (19) - SW Riparian vegetation in an unnamed gulch in the unit s central interior (p. 9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (20) - ENE Trail junction to Stanley Creek in unit s central interior (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (21) - S Horseback riders on trail in the central interior (p. 11) 18
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (22) - NW Trail junction in central interior, with view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (p. 7) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (23) - NNE Montane grasslands approaching high elevation mixed forest (p. 9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (24) - SW Historic cabin with collapsed roof in the northern interior along Stanley Creek (p. 10) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (25) - NNE Revegetation of former road, now Stanley Creek trail, in unit s N interior (p. 7) 19
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (27) - NW Rabbitbrush, mullein, and weeping juniper: found primarily in the N interior (p. 9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (26) - N Outstanding opportunity for solitude: Vegetative screening in Stanley Creek (p. 10) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (28) - SW Historic cabins observed in the N interior (p. 10) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (29) - NW Revegetation on the Stanley Creek trail (p. 7) 20
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (31) - N N boundary point, end of Stanley Creek trail into private property (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (30) - NNE Indications of elk chewed aspen in northern interior (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (32) - NNW Stanley Creek trail picks up briefly again in N interior, however ends shortly into private property gate (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (33) - NE N boundary point on trail W of Stanley Creek, inaccessible to the public from the N (p. 8) 21
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (34) - S Dense riparian area in gulch in N interior (p. 9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (35) - WSW Revegetation of former route W of Stanley Creek (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (36) - NE Deer bones and hoof in N interior (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (37) - SSW Trail revegetation in NW interior (p. 8) 22
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (39) - ENE Outstanding opportunity for hiking and scenic viewing in NW interior (p. 11) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (38) - S Former cabin being overtaken by an aspen grove in the NW interior (p. 10) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (40) - ESE Horned lizard observed in NW interior (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (41) - SE Public access to the E from County Rd 575 in the Manzanares State Trust Land; end motorized use (p. 8) 23
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (42) - W E entry point into unit from Manzanares Creek State Trust Land block (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (43) - SSW Interior gate from E public access non-motorized trail (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (44) - E Riparian vegetation giving way to a high elevation mixed forest in the E interior (p. 9) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (45) - N Revegetation of former road, now E public access non-motorized trail (p. 8) 24
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (46) - NW Trail junction for two heavily revegetated non-motorized trails in the E unit (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (47) - WSW Outstanding opportunity for biking in the E unit (p. 11) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (48) - W Former road with culvert taken over by grasslands in SE unit (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (49) - SE Remains of historic cabin in SE interior (p. 10) 25
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (50) - WNW SE boundary trail into San Isabel National Forest, near Manzanares Creek (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (51) - SW Montane grasslands leading to high elevation mixed forests with Slide Mountain in the background (p. 12) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (52) - SSE Reentry into unit along E boundary at Deep Canyon (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (53) - SE Montane grasslands leading to high elevation mixed forests with Slide Mountain in the background (p. 9) 26
Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (54) - SW Barbed wire gate and fence along E boundary (p. 8) Stanley Creek, Green Mountain (55) - SSW E entry point into unit just E of public access trail (p. 8) 27