Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

Description:

• he Collegiate Peaks Wilderness encompasses 167,994 acres and overlaps three national forests, the White River National Forest, Gunnison National Forest, and the Pike/San Isabel National Forest. The headwaters of the Arkansas, Gunnison, and Roaring Fork rivers drain from the Continental Divide within this wilderness. The peaks within this region make up a portion of the Sawatch Mountain Range, the highest in the state. The Collegiate Peaks name comes from the many peaks within the wilderness named after famous universities. Elevations range from 9,500 feet to eight peaks over 14,000 feet. Expansive alpine tundra, high lake basins, glacial river valleys and beautiful forests compose the landscape. Recreation opportunities in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness include hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, fishing and horseback riding.

  Highway 24 provides access to the eastern section of this area. Highway 82 skirts the northern boundary of the wilderness; and Forest Roads 306 (Cottonwood Pass), 122, 209 and 742 provide access to the southern and western trailheads of the area.