Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Waugh Mountain

Transcription

1 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Waugh Mountain Waugh Mountain, Royal Gorge Field Office Photo: John Sztukowski 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 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.

2 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Waugh Mountain BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, Front Range District BLM Unit Identifier: CO (Waugh Mountain) Submitted by: Wild Connections 2168 Pheasant Place, Colorado Springs, CO (719) Prepared by: John Sztukowski, Wildlands Inventory Coordinator, Wild Connections (817) Report Date: March 2015 Table of Contents Map of Waugh Mountain LWC... 3 Overview... 4 Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations... 6 I. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands. 6 II. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature III. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation IV. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected Summary Conclusion Waugh Mountain Proposed LWC Waypoints

3 Map of Waugh Mountain LWC 3

4 Overview The Waugh Mountain proposed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) unit consists of approximately 5,600 contiguous acres in central Colorado. This unit is located about 20 miles north of Cotopaxi, CO in north Fremont County. This unit ranges from an elevation of approximately 9,300 feet up to 11,470 feet atop Waugh Mountain East. The proposed LWC supports a diversity of vegetation and much wildlife, bolstered by ecosystems consisting of high elevation mixed forests, montane grasslands, and riparian drainages. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC primarily encompasses Waugh Mountain East, the foothills of Loco Mountain to the south, and a couple of large drainages in between. The western boundary of the unit is bordered by Waugh Mountain Road, which splits the Waugh Mountain complex as Waugh Mountain West is excluded from the unit. Waugh Mountain Road provides the only public access points to the unit. The remainder of the unit is bound by private property on all sides. Fremont County Road 2 parallels the unit to the north, however it provides no public access to the unit. This unit supports a diversity of plant and wildlife habitats, due to its topographic variety and numerous ecosystems. Montane grasslands are common in this unit, supporting an array of wildflowers, shrubs, and native grasses. However most of the unit consists of high elevation mixed forests of Colorado blue spruce and quaking aspen, with bristlecone pine mixing in at the higher elevations. Ponderosa pine and lodge pole pine mix in as well in parts of the unit. Creeks and tributaries, including North Waugh Creek, Fear Creek, and North Tallahassee Creek, drain the unit. The Conservation Science Partners (CSP) recognizes nearly the entire unit, 5,527 acres, as a core area possessing conservation values: important ecologically based indicators of high biodiversity, resilience to climate change, and landscape connectivity. This is one of only six core conservation areas that CSP identified in the RGFO region. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC high habitat and range values for many wildlife species, including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bear, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, mountain lion, and the threatened and endangered species Canadian lynx. Valued bird species identified in this area include the wild turkey. Opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation are abundant in the 5,600 acre contiguous roadless area that forms the proposed Waugh Mountain LWC. The high elevation mixed forests and grasslands 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, backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, horseback riding, and photography. The BLM inventoried this unit (delineated by the green line in the above map) in 2012, identified as unit COF (Waugh Mountain). In their report, the BLM identified an area of 5,127.9 acres (delineated by the green line in the above map) and found this land to have wilderness characteristics. 4

5 The boundaries and wilderness characteristics identified by the BLM generally align with Wild Connections inventory. However there is an approximately 500 acre contiguous area to the southwest, consisting of the Loco Mountain foothills west of Fear Creek, which should be included in the overall Waugh Mountain proposed LWC. The BLM excludes this section due to an access route, CO H that is closed to the public, which the BLM asserts should be a Wilderness Inventory Road and thus a boundary road. However this route is being reclaimed by vegetation and doesn t appear regular and continuous, as documented in the BLM s report. The BLM even considers this to be a way a short distance after it traverses across this section of BLM land and furthermore the BLM does not provide any photo evidence or documentation to support that this section is a road according to BLM Manual In sum, this section of CO H should remain within the unit as a way, which extends the roadless contiguous Waugh Mountain proposed LWC to 5,600 acres. 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 guidelines that Wild Connections used to determine the boundaries of the Waugh 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 summer of 2014, Wild Connections' mapping teams visited the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC 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 2012 BLM RGFO inventory and 2013 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 Waugh 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

6 Waugh Mountain (34) - SSW View of Sangre de Cristo mountain range from Waugh Mountain East (p. 12) Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations I. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC comprises approximately 5,600 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 used the above definitions to determine whether routes are or are not considered WIRs. Routes that did meet the criteria for WIRs were removed from the unit as cherrystem roads. There are few public access points into the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC, as the majority of the unit is bordered by private property. Waugh Mountain Road, accessed from the south, provides all of the public access points. Waugh Mountain Road also makes up the western boundary of the unit beginning at Waypoint 1, however the road only borders the unit for approximately one mile. Public access on Waugh Mountain road ends at Waypoint 5 at a locked gate for Stirrup Ranch with Private Property and No Hunting or Trespassing signs. 6

7 There are some routes, short spurs that appear to be old logging routes that traverse into the unit from Waugh Mountain Road. Beginning from the south, the first of these can be viewed at Waypoint 2, which also shows a water trough and fence. Note the route is revegetated, was not constructed by mechanical mean, and does not appear to be maintained, nor regular and continuous. Therefore this route will remain in the unit as a way. This route is barricaded with a boulder a few hundred feet south at Waypoint 3. Waypoint 4 marks the junction for the other route that heads into the interior from Waugh Mountain Road. This route is heavily revegetated, has a boulder partially blocking it, and cannot be seen from Waugh Mountain Road heading northeast. The BLM identified this route as CO B, presumably developed for prospecting, timber stands improvement projects, and range use. This route does appear to be constructed by mechanical means, however does not appear to be maintained nor regular and continuous. Wild Connections agrees with BLM s assessment that this route should remain within the unit as a way. Route CO B comes to a junction at Waypoint 6; both routes are revegetated and have fallen logs obstructing or partially obstructing passage. Both of these routes have a few short spurs, which appear to have served logging in the distant past and vegetative treatment projects more recently. The BLM noted in their report that these routes have been extended by recreational riders, although no signs of motorized use were observed during Wild Connections inventories. The southern route splits at Waypoint 9, however both end quickly into the forest at Waypoints 10 and 11. The northern route from the first junction for CO B extends for approximately two-thirds mile to Waypoint 12 where the route is impassable due to new growth of spruce. The route is blocked to vehicles much closer to the junction at Waypoint 8 by a fallen spruce. As indicated in the above photopoints, these short routes are heavily revegetated, no longer maintained, and are not regular and continuous. Therefore these routes will remain within the unit as ways. Waugh Mountain Road meets a junction for BLM 5860 just south of where it becomes the unit s western border. BLM 5860 heads east and enters the unit at Waypoint 15 at a cattle guard, however there are no signs on the ground for the route entering public land. This route appears to have been constructed by mechanical means and shows improvement by mechanical means. There is a closed route about half mile along BLM 5860 at Waypoint 16, closed by boulders in the route. This route is heavily revegetated and will remain within the unit as a way. One-tenth mile further east on BLM 5860, 5860 comes to a junction for BLM 5861 at Waypoint 17. BLM 5860 continues east for approximately two and a half miles to the top of Waugh Mountain East. Half a mile in, BLM 5860 comes to a junction at Waypoint 21 for another revegetated route, closed by boulders. BLM 5860 meets a spur route a short distance thereafter at Waypoint 23 which the BLM reported as CO J. This route was not constructed by mechanical means, not maintained, nor regular and continuous, and becomes impassible by a full size vehicle a short distance onto the route at Waypoint 24. It will remain within the unit as a way. These routes appear to have been constructed or at least last used for a spruce thinning project, which was observed in much of this area. 7

8 BLM 5860, as inventoried by the BLM, ends at Waypoint 26. BLM 5860 appears to have been constructed by mechanical means, likely has been maintained, and appears somewhat regular and continuous. It will be treated as a WIR and will be removed from the unit as a cherrystem. An old route was observed just northeast of BLM 5860 s end. This appears to be an old logging route, more recently used for spruce thinning, however it has not seen use or maintenance in quite some time, as evidenced in Waypoint 27. The route is on the USGS 10.5 TOPO map, and should traverse around Waugh Mountain East, however it was very difficult to follow on the ground and only faint evidence of the route was observed periodically. Waypoint 31 illustrates one of the more obvious sections of the old route, only evidenced by a thin linear gap through the aspenspruce forest. An old BLM marker was observed on the south side of Waugh Mountain East at Waypoint 33, stating United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management BOTH SIDES. BLM 5861, stemming from BLM 5860 at the aforementioned Waypoint 17, heads north-northeast for less than one mile. The BLM reported that this road ends at Waypoint 20, however the last one-third of the route is impassible due to downed spruce at Waypoint 19. This route appears to have been constructed by mechanical means and somewhat regular and continuous, although it obviously has not been maintained past Waypoint 19. BLM 5861 will be removed from the unit as a cherrystem from BLM 5860 to Waypoint 19 and remain within the rest of the unit as a way. A spur was observed off of BLM 5861 at Waypoint 18, however the route was impassible also due to downed spruce. This route may have been constructed by mechanical means, however is not maintained, nor appears regular and continuous, thus will remain within the unit as a way. The BLM inventoried another route from Waugh Mountain Road, accessed further south, at Waypoint 35. This route, identified by the BLM as CO H, traverses private property to access BLM land and thus is closed to the public. A short distance onto this route, it is gated with Private Property and No Trespassing Signs, as documented in the BLM s report for Photo Point #1. The BLM assessed this route as a WIR: documenting that is was constructed by mechanical means, improved and maintained by mechanical means, however did not find it to be regular and continuous as it is only accessed by private landowners and that no indications of usage were found in their inventory. This route enters BLM land at Waypoint 36, traversing a public/private border for approximately two-thirds mile to Waypoint 38 where it heads south into private property, paralleling the unit boundary to the west. Note the BLM took a Photo Point (#2) near Waypoint 38 that shows the route with a tractor to the side. The BLM took a point along this route on BLM land (Photo Point #3) at Waypoint 37, displaying the vegetated, sparsely used route through a high-elevation mixed forest. Based on BLM s assessment, Wild Connections concurs that this route can be a WIR up to Waypoint 38, and will be a unit boundary from Waypoint 36 to Waypoint 38. Route CO H drops along Fear Creek and reconnects with BLM at Waypoint 39. This route heads southeast into the unit along this natural linear feature for about one-half mile to Waypoint 40, where it once again exits public land. Near Waypoint 40, the BLM reassesses the route, now CO I, and considers it a way, documenting that it was not constructed nor maintained by mechanical means, nor is regular and continuous. Of note, the BLM does not provide any photo- 8

9 data or route analysis past Waypoint 38. Particularly, there is no evidence that this route is a WIR from Waypoint 39 to Waypoint 40, which excludes about 500 contiguous acres of BLM land to the west. Based on the photo-data (route revegetation) in BLM s Photo Point #3, the route shows NO regular or continuous use. BLM s report lacks verifiable evidence of maintenance along the route. Wild Connections concludes that this route should become a way at Waypoint 39, effectively expanding the overall unit to 5,600 contiguous acres. II. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature, with human impacts considerably unnoticeable within the unit. Motorized public access to the unit is limited to a few public access points, with motorized use within the unit quite restricted. Other routes found within the unit showed a lack of motorized use and an overall apparent lack of regular use, with the forces of nature reclaiming many of the former logging routes. Human impacts that were observed in the proposed LWC were minor and will be detailed at the end of this section. The proposed LWC offers a mixture of vegetation types, due to the topographic variety and diverse ecosystems found within this unit. High-elevation mixed forests of Colorado blue spruce and quaking aspen dominate the landscape, as exemplified in Waypoint 14 in the unit s western interior. Waypoint 32, right, also provides a great view of this vegetation, taken on the southeast side of Waugh Mountain East and viewing the rolling hills of the unit interior to the south. Bristlecone pine were observed as well in the higher elevation areas of Waugh Mountain East. The BLM documents that ponderosa pine and lodge pole pine mix into the vegetation as well. Waugh Mountain (32) - SW View of forested rolling hills in unit interior from Waugh Mountain East (p. 9) Creeks and tributaries also flow through the unit, providing rich riparian life. The predominant creeks are North Waugh Creek in the west, North Tallahassee Creek in the central interior south of Waugh Mountain East, and Fear Creek in the southern interior. Waypoint 7 views North Waugh Creek that flows south through the western portion of the unit near Waugh Mountain Road. Riparian vegetation mixes in with the spruce and aspen. Montane meadows and grassland were also observed near this creek. Much of Wild Connections inventory in the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC revealed naturalness characteristics, however there were some minor human impacts noted as well. Most of the human impacts found in this unit were old routes with indications of former logging or thinning nearby. 9

10 Assessment of these routes can be found in the previous section. There appears to have been a large spruce thinning project in this area, as signs of such were observed off of many of the routes in the unit, particularly off of Waugh Mountain Road and BLM Waypoint 25, taken in the northwestern interior, documents one of these old routes with extensive felled small timber (Colorado blue spruce) as far as the eye can see. Waypoint 13 also captures many felled spruce in the unit s forested interior. Wild Connections agrees with BLM s assessment of these impacts: they re concentrated in close proximity to the main roads, vegetation is reclaiming many of these old routes, and they do not have a significant impact to the overall naturalness of the unit. Other minor human impacts observed in this unit consist of OHV use, campfire rings, the aforementioned BLM marker, and grazing/range management. OHV use was not observed in Wild Connections inventories, however was noted in BLM s. Campfire rings were observed in the unit and a couple will be documented in the following section under opportunities for recreation. Grazing also appears to be permitted within the proposed LWC. A water trough and fence line were observed off of Waugh Mountain Road at Waypoint 2. The BLM also reported stock grazing in the southwest unit, off route CO H, which is not open to the public. Regardless, 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 Waugh Mountain unit overall (BLM Manual 6310, p 6-7). III. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC offers many opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. Given the topographic variety, the few entry points, dearth of trails (motorized and non-motorized), and observed lack of overall use, there are vast opportunities for solitude. The high-elevation mixed forests found throughout the unit provide excellent screening from unnatural sights and sounds. Waypoint 14, referenced in the previous section and taken in the western interior of the unit, illustrates how dense this vegetative screening is throughout much of the unit. Waypoint 28, taken in the northeastern portion of the unit, provides another example of the thick vegetative screening found in the unit. Furthermore, the lack of visitation to the unit overall provides outstanding opportunities for respite and remoteness just about anywhere in the proposed LWC. Consisting of near 5,600 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, backpacking, snowshoeing, camping, hunting, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography. There were many excellent opportunities for primitive camping observed off of BLM Waypoint 22 illustrates one of these campsites, just south of BLM Waypoint 29 documents an excellent opportunity for photography in a meadow of wildflowers and insects in the unit s northeast interior. Additionally there are excellent 10

11 opportunities for hunting within this unit; high value animal species and habitat are documented in the section below under supplemental values. IV. The Waugh Mountain proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected. Wild Connections inventory of the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC 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, but rather a summary of some of the widely known significant values for which basic data is available to complement our on-the-ground inventory. The Conservation Science Partners (CSP) recently concluded an extensive study on unprotected roadless BLM land in the West that possess important ecologically based indicators of high biodiversity, resilience to climate change, and landscape connectivity. The indicators used included species richness, vegetation community diversity, surface water availability, topographic complexity, landscape naturalness, landscape permeability, and eco-regional protection. The results of CSP s approach aimed to quantify conservation value of BLM lands. CSP s computations recognizes Waugh Mountain and its foothills, consisting of 5,527 roadless contiguous acres, encompassing nearly the entire proposed LWC, to be a core area possessing these conservation values, one of only six areas identified in the entire RGFO region. High habitat and range values for many wildlife species have been identified in the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC. Rocky Mountain Wild s (RMW) Assessment of Biological Impact (ABI) documented the following mammals and associated values within the unit: Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) potential habitat; black bear (Ursus americanus) overall range, summer concentration, and fall concentration; Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Canadensis) overall range, summer range, and winter range; mountain lion (Puma concolor) overall range; mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) overall range, summer range, and migration corridor; pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) overall range, winter range, and winter concentration; elk (Cervus Canadensis) overall range, resident population area, production area, summer range, winter range, winter concentration area and summer concentration area; Aberts squirrel (Sciurus aberti) overall range; Brazalian free tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) overall range; and Gunnison s prairie-dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) overall range. 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 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, as well as listed as Colorado BLM sensitive. The Brazilian free tailed bat is a Colorado state ranked critically imperiled species. 11

12 Rocky Mountain Wild s ABI assessment also identifies critical and valued bird species in the area. Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) take refuge in this unit, consisting of overall range, winter range, and winter concentration area. There are exceptional scenic views from within the proposed LWC, given the high elevation of the unit and surrounding landscape. There are great views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the south. This is exemplified in Waypoint 34, with a view of the unit interior in the foreground, taken on the south side of Waugh Mountain East. The high vantage points in this unit also peer down on the North Tallahassee valley, as seen in Waypoint 30, viewed right. The 5,600 acre proposed wilderness also offers diverse geology, which constitutes a noteworthy supplemental value. The entire region is from the Tertiary Age, with much of the geology forming from volcanic activity. Most of the unit, the high elevation areas including Waugh Waugh Mountain (30) - SSE View of North Tallahassee Valley from south Waugh Mountain East (p. 12) Mountain East, consists of basalt and tuff. As the elevations decrease, particularly in the western portion of the unit and in between Waugh Mountain East and West, plutonic rock (phaneritic) can be found. Ash-flow tuff mixes in even lower (along the north and east edges of the unit), with andesite and tuff found at the next level down (just a little bit in the very north and south sections of the unit). 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' extensive on-the-ground inventories, the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC qualifies as Land with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) in accordance with BLM's Manual This unit exceeds the 5,000 contiguous roadless acreage minimum as the proposed LWC offers more than 5,600 contiguous roadless acres. Given the size of the unit, lack of significant human impacts, disparate topography, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, the Waugh Mountain proposed LWC offers outstanding wilderness characteristics - including apparent naturalness and outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. The boundaries and wilderness characteristics identified by the BLM generally align with Wild Connection s inventory. As documented in the boundary delineation section, Wild Connections 12

13 believes that the unit can be expanded west of CO H and Fear Creek to include the foothills of Loco Mountain. CO H is closed to the public, shows revegetation, and is not regular and continuous, as documented by the BLM. Therefore CO H should be a way at Waypoint 38, and in turn add the 500 contiguous acres to the west to form a 5,600 contiguous acre unit. Additionally, there is no photo evidence or documentation by the BLM that this route is a WIR this far along the route. While much of the proposed LWC consists of untrammeled wilderness, human impacts were found. As documented, former roads, old logging, mitigation projects, OHV use, fences, gates, signs, BLM marker, and rangeland management 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 are not compromised. 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 approximately 5,600 acre Waugh 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

14 Waugh Mountain Proposed LWC Waypoints The following photographs correspond with the numbered Waypoints on the above Waugh 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. Waugh Mountain (1) - NNW W boundary Waugh Mountain Road at SW boundary corner (p. 6) Waugh Mountain (2) - S Faint route with water trough and fence line in view (p. 7,10)

15 Waugh Mountain (3) - S Closed route off Waugh Mountain Road (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (4) - SW Way junction for CO B from Waugh Mountain Road (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (5) - NNE Waugh Mountain Road ends north into private property with locked gate and signs (p. 6) Waugh Mountain (6) - ENE Former logging route junction at CO B (p. 7) 15

16 Waugh Mountain (8) - ESE Fallen spruce blocks motorized use on former logging route (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (7) - W North Waugh Creek in western interior (p. 9) Waugh Mountain (9) - ESE Former logging route junction in western unit (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (10) - SSE End of southwestern logging route from CO B (p. 7) 16

17 Waugh Mountain (11) - ESE End of southeastern logging route from CO B (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (12) - N End of northern logging route from CO B (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (13) - N Felled spruce tree thinning project in unit interior (p. 10) Waugh Mountain (14) - W Dense high-elevation mixed forest of Colorado blue spruce and quaking aspen in unit interior; excellent opportunity for solitude (p. 9,10) 17

18 Waugh Mountain (15) - E BLM Road 5860 enters western unit (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (16) - ESE Closed route with boulders off of BLM 5860 (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (17) - N Route junction BLM 5860 x BLM 5861 (p. 7,8) Waugh Mountain (18) - NE Spur junction at BLM 5861 (p. 8) 18

19 Waugh Mountain (19) - NNE Downed spruce on BLM 5861 (p. 8) Waugh Mountain (20) - SSE End of BLM route 5861 (p. 8) Waugh Mountain (21) - S Revegetated route closed by boulders off of BLM 5860 (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (22) - W Campsite located just south of BLM 5860 (p. 10) 19

20 Waugh Mountain (23) - NE Junction for spur route, CO J, off BLM 5860 (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (24) - WNW Spur route immediately becomes impassible to full sized vehicles (p. 7) Waugh Mountain (25) - ENE Old route in unit interior with extensive felled timber (p. 10) Waugh Mountain (26) - NE End of BLM 5860 atop Waugh Mountain East (p. 8) 20

21 Waugh Mountain (27) - ENE Former logging loop route located north of the end of BLM 5860 (p. 8) Waugh Mountain (28) - SE High-elevation mixed forest in northeast interior; excellent opportunity for solitude (p. 10) Waugh Mountain (29) - NNW Excellent opportunity for photography in montane meadow of wildflowers and insects (p. 10) Waugh Mountain (30) - SSE View of North Tallahassee Valley from south Waugh Mountain East (p. 12) 21

22 Waugh Mountain (31) - SW Faint traces of former route evidenced by linear gap in the aspen-spruce forest (p. 8) Waugh Mountain (32) - SW View of forested rolling hills in unit interior from Waugh Mountain East (p. 9) Waugh Mountain (33) - ENE BLM marker on Waugh Mountain East, stating US DOI BLM land on both sides (p. 8) Waugh Mountain (34) - SSW View of Sangre de Cristo mountain range from Waugh Mountain East (p. 12) 22