"A walk along Ute Creek takes you past beautiful watercress-lined springs. The stream has some potential for restoration of native trout, but the creek and its canyon are not all there is to admire. The Plateau to the north has stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen that extend down into the canyon and along the Snowshoe Trail. Overall, Ute Creek provides a nicely varied Wilderness experience close to the western slope's major city." John Trammel, Grand Junction

A view of the La Sals from Unaweep photo © Brandon Jett

The proposed Unaweep Wilderness includes the deepest and most dramatic portions of Unaweep Canyon, reaching depths from 2,000 to 3,300 feet. A number of steep canyons, such as Ute Creek, drain the Uncompahgre Plateau as they cut through the area. The rolling mesa tops above the rugged canyons are covered by large aspen forests broken by sagebrush flats and ringed by lush spruce forests on the northern and western slopes.A horse trail into Ute Creek provides relatively easy access into the heart of the roadless area. The Rim Trail along the top of the plateau affords spectacular views of the La Sal Mountains, Lone Cone Peak, the Abajo Mountains, and Unaweep Canyon. The Rim Trail traverses several of the vast aspen glades that characterize the area. Hiking, hunting, backpacking, horsepacking, and photography are popular recreational uses of the area. Mule deer and elk are common big game animals, and black bear and mountain lion also frequent the area.

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To learn more about this special wild place please visit Colorado’s Canyon Country Wilderness Proposal at http://www.canyoncountrywilderness.org/unaweep.htm.