[View from Baker’s Pass in the Never Summer National Wilderness Area. Photo: Amy] Designated as a Wilderness Area by the United States Congress in 1980, the Never Summer Wilderness now contains over 20,000 acres of land. Situated around Grand Lake, it’s all managed by the Forest Service.
Ranging in elevation from 8,900 to 12,520 feet, this national wilderness area is located in both the Arapaho and Routt national forests. The topography of the Never Summer Wilderness consists of a high, rocky mountain range running from north to south. Although the wilderness does not have any fourteener peaks, it does have seventeen summits that reach up to 12,000 feet.
National Wilderness Area near Grand Lake, CO
Howard Mountain is the highest of these peaks at 12,810 feet. Some of the mountains are named after cloud types such as Cumulus, Nimbus, Cirrus, and Stratus, probably as way of reminding people that these mountains often enjoy the company of clouds because of their height.
The Never Summer Wilderness is rather appropriately named so, as the height of its peaks means that ice and snow rarely ever leaves peaks. The snow that builds up on the summits contribute to the waters of the Colorado, North Platte, and Cache la Poudre Rivers.
The wildlife in the Never Summer Wilderness are unique as a result of the wilderness’ damp climate. Trees grow and large and old because of all the moisture that it can absorb. The wilderness also features ponds in the northern part that contains frogs, pygmy shrews, and bog beans.
The Never Summer Wilderness is undoubtedly a must-see place for all of its unique offerings. Visitors are obviously required to take precautions as is natural for any visit to a wilderness area.
Details
Nearby Towns: Grand Lake | Walden
Phone: 970-295-6600
Season: Year round
Established: 1980
Management: USFS
