Table Of Content

>d States Department of the Interior t?au of Land Management DUI Colorado State Office Colorado October 1991 WILDERNESS STUDY REPORT Volume One, Pages 1-168 Craig District Study Areas QH 76.5 . C6 C656 1991 v. 1 BLM ^Federal Center D?f SO OC-521 Bldg-5°’^. 47 P-° B° CO 80225 Denver, '-A-' WdoUWQ QH it> ■ $ [WWZM C<0Si m TABLE OF CONTENTS v I Wilderness Study Area Volume 1 CRAIG DISTRICT Bull Canyon CO-OlO-OOl 3 Willow Creek CO-010-002 17 Skull Creek CO-010-003 31 Black Mountain CO-010-007A 45 Windy Gulch CO-010-007C 55 Oil Spring Mountain CO-010-046 65 Platte River Contiguous CO-010-104 75 Troublesome CO-010-155 83 West Cold Spring CO-010-208 93 Diamond Breaks CO-010-214 105 Ant Hills CO-010-224 117 Chew Winter Camp CO-010-224A 127 Peterson Draw CO-010-226 135 Vale of Tears CO-010-229D 145 Cross Mountain CO-010-230 153 Volume 2 MONTROSE DISTRICT Bill Hare Gulch CO-030-085 169 Larson Creek CO-030-086 175 Redcloud Peak CO-030-208 183 American Flats CO-030-217 197 Handies Peak CO-030-241 205 Menefee Mountain CO-030-251 219 Weber Mountain CO-030-252 231 Cross Canyon CO-030-265 243 Squaw/Papoose Canyon CO-030-265A 255 —| n c ) / ( H > o ) C/ I \ - ^ ) / ( BULL CANYON WILDERNESS STUDY AREA The Study Area — 12,297 acres Recommendations and Rationale The Bull Canyon WSA (CO-OlO-OOl and UT-080- 13,700 acres recommended for wilderness 419) is located in Moffat County, Colorado, and in Uintah County, Utah, approximately 4 miles north of 147 acres recommended for nonwildemess J Dinosaur, Colorado. The WSA includes 12,297 acres of BLM lands (11,777 acres in Colorado and 520 acres in Utah) and a 320-acre private inholding The recommendation is to designate approximately in Colorado. Three sections of state lands (1,920 13,700 acres of BLM public land as wilderness and acres) adjoin the WSA in Colorado. The area is release 147 acres for uses other than wilderness bounded on the north, east, and south by ways on (boundary adjustment A alternative). This area is BLM land and state land property lines and to the shown on the map. This recommendation is the en- west and northwest by topographic features and vironmentally preferable alternative. This recom- state and private property lines. The WSA is mendation includes an area larger than the original shown on the map. WSA and would result in the least change in the natural environment over the long term. The study area is more characteristic of the arid canyon ecosystems found in the Colorado Plateau In order to protect the wilderness values and define than in the Rocky Mountain Forest Province the area, the area's boundaries have been ad- ecoregion in which this WSA is located. Geo- justed by locating them along easily identifiable graphically, the area is cut by deep ridges and topographic and manmade features rather than canyons of sandstone eroded by rain and snowmelt administrative boundaries (e.g., section lines). waters. Interesting geology with colorful cliffs, a These boundary adjustments would result in more maze of canyons, and unique rock formations are a effective management and enhance opportunities result of deep erosion. Elevations range from 5,600 for solitude, primitive and unconfined recreation, feet on K Creek in Utah to 7,400 feet on the north- and protect the viewshed of the area. It would ern boundary. The vegetation includes semi-arid also protect the viewshed of the heavily traveled species such as sagebrush and pinyon-juniper Park Service road and Escalante overlook. Man- communities, with riparian zones along the drain- agement of the wilderness area would also be ages. enhanced by the blocked configuration. The addition of all or portions of 3 state land sections The WSA was studied under Section 603 of the would complement and further block up the area, Federal Land Policy and Management Act providing easily identifiable boundaries. (FLPMA) and was included in the Craig District Wilderness Final Environmental Impact Statement The northeast and eastern boundary is realigned (EIS) published November 5, 1990. Three alterna- along a road and fence on K Point ridge and tives were analyzed in the EIS. The boundary follows the Dinosaur National Monument access adjustment alternative recommends 13,700 BLM road which is fenced and easily identified on the acres as wilderness; the result of 12,150 acres of ground (see parcel A on map). This area also the original WSA, adding 1,550 BLM acres from contains critical elk habitat (summer range). A outside the WSA and eliminating 147 acres from boundary adjustment in the southwest corner of the original WSA. The all wilderness alternative the area would add an entire watershed in steep (the original WSA 12,297 acres), and the no wil- rugged terrain and includes most of a state land derness alternative were also considered. section (parcel B). The recommended boundary follows a way on the south. 3 BULL CANYON WSA CO-010-001/UT-080-419 Photo 1. Bull Canyon VV5/4. View west over Bull Canyon from Plug Hat Rock overlook. Cliff Ridge (outside the WSA) in Utah in the background. Other small boundary adjustments (deleted access for hiking, backpacking, hunting, rock parcels C and added parcel D) were made to climbing, photography, and other recreation provide a more easily identifiable boundary pursuits. along a ridge top in the west. Parcel E was The relatively low elevation and proximity to added to provide a more easily identifiable U.S. Highway 40 makes the area easily acces- northern boundary along an existing way and sible for wilderness recreation opportunities would bring part of a state land section into the throughout the year. The Bull Canyon WSA is WSA. If Bull Canyon is designated as wilderness, within a 4 to 5 hour drive of the Salt Lake City, the 320 acre private parcel (parcel F) will be Utah metropolitan area, about 6 hours from the considered for acquisition (see Table 5). Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, and ap- Bull Canyon is recommended because of the out- proximately 3 hours from Grand Junction, Colo- standing scenery and opportunities for solitude rado. and primitive and unconfined recreation and the Designation of the Bull Canyon WSA as wilderness presence of special features. The Bull Canyon would preserve an area of scenic, undeveloped, area includes vistas from the National Park canyon lands. The area is more representative of Service Plug Hat Rock Overlook and the Nature the semi-arid ecosystems, geologic and topo- Trail (see Photo 1), the Escalante Overlook as graphic features found in the Colorado Plateau well as the maze of canyons and colorful geology area rather than in the Rocky Mountain Forest in Bull Canyon, Buckwater Draw, Middle Creek, physiographic region. (See Photo 3) Piny on- and K Creek which converge into a wide valley juniper, sagebrush, and native grasses and forbs to the west. (See Photo 2) The canyons provide 4 BULL CANYON WSA CO-010-001/UT-080-419 Photo 2. Bull Canyon WSA. View southeast in Middle Creek. are the main vegetation communities. Douglas fir, No major manageability problems or resource cottonwoods, boxelder, and willows comprise the conflicts would result from wilderness designa- often dense riparian vegetation found along tion. No new range improvements have been drainages in the WSA. (See Photo 4) Bull Can- proposed and no conflicts with range manage- yon, in its natural state, complements the natural ment are expected. Portions of 2 livestock graz- features present in Dinosaur National Monument ing allotments lie within the recommended area to the north. The National Park Service has with an estimated 920 animal unit months (AUMs) integrated the natural and historic features of this of livestock forage available. Existing range WSA and surrounding area into its visitor educa- improvements within the proposed area consist of tion programs through the placement of interpre- 2 developed springs with watering troughs, 7 tive facilities along the Harpers Corner access stock ponds, and 3.5 miles of fence. Maintenance road (Plug Hat Rock picnic area overlooks and of these existing range improvements would Natural Trail, and Escalante overlook) that continue. borders and provides vistas of the Bull Canyon Oil and gas potential in the area is considered to complex. Wilderness designation of Bull Canyon be low according to the U.S. Geological Survey would protect the natural and historic features, as and Bureau of Mines report for the area and the well as scenic vistas, of the area. (See Photo 1) WSA is not considered prospectively valuable for any mineral resources. 5 BULL CANYON WSA CO-010-001/UT-080-419 \ Table 1 - Land Status and Areage Summary Colorado Utah Total Acreage Acreage Acreage Within Wilderness Studv Area BLM (surface and subsurface) 11,777 520 12,297 Split Estate (BLM surface only) 0 0 0 Inholdings (state, private) 320 0 320 Total 12,097 520 12,617 Within the Recommended Wilderness Boundary BLM (within WSA) 11,670 480 12,150 BLM (outside WSA) 1,410 140 1,550 Split Estate (within WSA) 0 _0 0 Total BLM Land Recommended 13,080 620 13,700 for Wilderness Inholdings (state, private) * Includes 32 private 1,855 0 1,855 Within the Area Not Recommended for Wilderness BLM 107 40 147 Split Estate 0 0 _0 Total BLM Land Not Recommended for Wilderness 107 40 147 Inholdings (State, Private) 0 0 0 J * Table 5 contains a description of inholdings included within the recommended boundary. \ Criteria Considered in Developing the Elevations within the proposed area span some 2,100 feet ranging from 5,700 feet in Utah to Wilderness Recommendations 7,880 feet at K Point to the northeast. WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS The vegetation consists of semi-arid ecosystems Naturalness with pinyon pine and juniper woodlands as the dominate community as well as sagebrush, native The Bull Canyon WSA is predominately natural with grasses, forbs, and saltbush plant communities. negligible human imprints. The area is cut by deep Riparian areas along the drainages contain scenic canyons and ridges of colorful sandstone, all boxelder, cottonwood, and willow at times in dense of which drain to the west and converge in the stands. Douglas fir trees are found in scattered west central portion of the WSA into a wide basin. areas within the canyons. 6 BULL CANYON WSA CO-010-001/UT-080-419 Photo 3. Bull Canyon WSA. View into the upper end of Bull Canyon. Minor imprints within the recommended area and become isolated. The ruggedness and consist of 2 developed springs with watering natural character of the area prevent outside troughs, 7 stock ponds, and 3.5 miles of fence. influences from affecting the visitor's experience These imprints are scattered and screened by of solitude. vegetation and topography making them substan- On the higher elevations, a visitor may view the tially unnoticeable within the area. vast open space created by the basin, which is The entire WSA is winter range for mule deer and accented by the scenic backdrop of Cliff Ridge in most of the area is habitat for elk with about 600 Utah. This open space, plus the isolation afforded acres of critical habitat (summer range) for elk by the numerous canyons, enhances the opportuni- within the WSA and additional critical elk habitat ties for solitude. within the large addition of parcel A on Map 1. Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Golden eagles nest within the area as do many other birds, and the area is habitat for many other mam- The entire area offers outstanding opportunities for mals, reptiles, and amphibians. primitive and unconfined recreation such as hiking, backpacking, camping, and scenic viewing. Bird Solitude watching, nature study, and horseback riding also The diverse topography, dense vegetation, and the occur in the area. Opportunities for photographing areas blocked configuration all combine to provide the area's natural beauty are exceptional. outstanding opportunities to experience solitude The gradual stream gradients which lead out of throughout the WSA. The recommended area K Creek, Middle Creek, Buckwater Draw, and provides additional room for visitors to disperse 7 BULL CANYON WSA CO-010-001/UT-080-419 Photo 4. Bull Canyon WSA. Boxelder forest in Bull Canyon. Bull Canyon offer superb, rugged desert hikes. Special Features Buckwater Draw is enclosed by striking sand- The Dominguez/Escalante Expedition of 1776 stone cliffs that have alcoves for exploring. Bull reportedly camped within the west central Canyon has spectacular, sheer cliffs that provide portion of the WSA. The history of the encamp- a scenic backdrop for challenging hikes in the ment is well documented and recounts that the rugged upper end of the canyon. Middle Creek expedition drew water from a flowing well and provides easy hikes along the ridgetops or up the hunted buffalo there. canyon with interesting rock formations and multicolored geology over to and in the K Creek The National Park Service (Dinosaur National drainage. These areas provide nesting for hawks, Monument) manages 2 overlook sites (Plug Hat eagles, owls, and other birds. Coyote and deer Picnic Area and Escalante Overlook) adjacent to may be seen in the late evening along hilltops and this area. The picnic area overlooks the WSA and drainages. interpretive signs and a natural trail describe the area' s geology and history. National Park Service 8