Forest Service acquires 19 acres in Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

The public recently gained 19.3 acres in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks Wilderness following the White River National Forest’s acquisition of the Panama/Principal Lodes parcel from The Wilderness Land Trust.

The parcel is located in the Green Mountain area south of U.S. 82 (Independence Pass Road) and north of Lincoln Creek. Public access is now ensured on a popular social trail through the property, commonly called the Green Mountain Trail.

“It is great to see this sizeable and important addition to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness come to fruition, allowing the Forest Service to move ever closer to securing the future for the Green Mountain area,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams.

“The Wilderness Land Trust first purchased the property in August 2020 and is thrilled to see it added to the wilderness. This sensitive alpine habitat will now be protected for future generations of wildlife and people. We’re grateful for our partnership with the White River National Forest on this, and many other projects, to ensure the future of Colorado’s wilderness areas,” said Brad Borst of The Wilderness Land Trust.

The White River National Forest has been working with The Wilderness Land Trust for several years to acquire private inholdings in the wilderness in the Green Mountain area. The 8.7-acre Grandview Lode was added to the wilderness in 2019, and 10.3-acre Spotted Tail Lode is awaiting transfer.

The 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest manages approximately 750,000 acres of designated wilderness across eight wilderness areas, more than a third of the land it manages.