USDA Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers

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Rocky Mountain Region Viewing Area

LOCATION and PHOTOS

Parry's gentian.
Parry's gentian. Photo copyright by Al Schneider, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.

white marsh marigold.
White marsh marigold. Photo copyright by Al Schneider, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.

Colorado false hellibore.
Colorado false hellibore. Photo copyright by Al Schneider, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.

elephanthead lousewort.
Elephanthead lousewort. Photo copyright by Al Schneider, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.

Priest Lakes

Forest: San Juan National Forest and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests

District: Dolores (San Juan NF) and Norwood (GMUG NF) Ranger Districts

Description: The Priest Lakes are located above 10,000 feet in spruce/fir and aspen forest interspersed with grassy meadows. Beaver ponds and willow-sedge riparian areas are found along Lake Fork and San Miquel River. Nearby Matterhorn campground is located in a subalpine fir forest with patches of aspen. Trails lead to Lizard Head Wilderness with good access to areas above timberline from nearby Lizard Head Pass. Wildflowers of the area include: Parry’s gentian (Pneumonanthe parryi), white marsh marigold (Psychrophila leptosepala), Colorado false hellebore (Veratrum tenuipetalum), bluebell bellflower (Campanula rotundifolia), and elephanthead lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica).

Viewing Information: Priest Lakes is located on the San Juan Skyway, a spectacular drive through the San Juan, Uncompahgre, Wilson and Sneffels Ranges. Colorado's first National Forest Scenic Byway loops through the San Juan Mountains, and has been called "The Most Beautiful Drive in America." This 236-mile route follows state-maintained highways. It winds for 236 miles through the heart of 5 million acres on the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests offering views of spectacular, rugged, and primitive country as well as cultural and historical sites. The entire loop takes you through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Ophir, Rico, Dolores, Cortez and Mancos. An interpretive site and accessible restrooms are available on Hwy. 145 at the top of Lizard Head Pass. See waterfalls in spring, wildflowers in summer, golden aspen in fall or a snowy wonderland in winter.

Lizard Head Wilderness Trails: Lizard Head Overlook, located within a few miles of Matterhorn Campground at the top of Lizard Head Pass, serves as a rest area and trailhead for the Lizard Head Trail. An interpretive kiosk tells about the surrounding peaks and other areas of interest. The Lizard Head Wilderness Area is one of the most rugged and pristine sections of southwest Colorado. Most of the hiking trail mileage in this 41,492-acre area is near or well above timberline. There are three 14,000-ft. peaks within the area, with Mount Wilson (14,246 ft.) being one of the hardest of Colorado's "Fourteeners" to climb, requiring technical expertise and equipment. The eastern portion of the area is well hiked, with the Navajo Lake, Lizard Head, Bilk Basin, Cross Mountain, and Woods Lake Trails covering the territory well.

Safety First: Hiking at is not recommended during thunderstorms due to the possibility of lightning strikes. A jacket and hiking boots are recommended. Hypothermia can be a hazard throughout the year. The San Juan National Forest and the Uncompaghre National Forest have jointly published an excellent brochure on the hiking opportunities available in the Wilderness Area. Their brochure also outlines some of the hazards of high-altitude hiking, and suggests some minimum impact techniques that are useful for any hikers, anywhere. The brochure is available from the Dolores Ranger District of the SJNF, or the Norwood Ranger District of the Uncompahgre National Forest. Stop at either of these offices for more information on trail conditions, access, and difficulty.

Directions: San Juan Skyway, CO 145.

Ownership and Management: U.S. Forest Service, San Juan National Forest, Dolores Ranger District (970) 882-7296; and, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Norwood Ranger District (970) 327-4261.

Closest Town: Telluride, Colorado.

For More Information:

U.S. Forest Service
Rangeland Management
Botany Program
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop Code: 1103
Washington DC 20250-1103

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Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/rockymountain/PriestLakes/index.shtml
Last modified: Wednesday, 12-Oct-2011 15:52:37 EDT