Proposed Hack Lake Wilderness Area
3,558 acres (5.6 square miles)
How to get there
The proposed Hack Lake Wilderness Area is located about 12 miles due north of Dotsero, on the southeast of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Many trails cross through the area.
· From I-70 at Dotsero go north on the Colorado River Road (CR 301) about 6.5 miles, then go northwest on the Sweetwater Road (County) to Sweetwater Lake where you’ll find the Sweetwater Trail. The Sweetwater trail connects to other trails in the area which provide loop backs to Sweetwater and alternate routes into the Flat Tops Wilderness where an extensive network of trails is available. Or continue up the road past Sweetwater Lake to the Turret Trail.
· From CR 12 take Sheep Creek Road (4 miles before Sweetwater Lake) and drive on the dirt road 5 miles to undeveloped camping area and access to the BLM portion of the unit. Four wheel drive is recommended when wet.
· At Derby Junction on the Colorado River Road (CR 301) take CR 41 west to Forest Road 613 and 616, both of which will provide access to the northern part of the unit.
Setting
Hack Lake is located in Garfield County, approximately 22 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs. The WSA consists of 2 small parcels totaling approximately 10 acres of BLM lands and federal minerals.
The land is characterized by ridges flanked by steep rugged cliffs with rocky outcrops and rock slides. Elevation ranges from 7,700 to 11,000 feet.
The area’s vegetation includes spruce, fir and aspen meadows. Cut-throat trout fishing is also very popular. Hack Lake has an abundance and diversity of wildlife, including large herds of elk and deer mountain lion, coyote, badger, blue grouse, and beaver.
What’s special about it?
The Hack Lake area is home to the Hack Lake Ute trail, originally used by the Ute Indians until late 1800's for access over the Flat Tops, which later became a National Forest trail. This trail segment was a major migration route between far-western Colorado and the upper Colorado River valley
From the trailhead at Sweetwater Lake Lodge, Ute Trail and W Mountain Trail pass through a fascinating succession of life zones up to the palisades of the White River Plateau's unique Flat Tops. The trail climbs from sage, oakbrush, juniper, and pinyon pines to moist wetlands and aspen-fir forests in an ecologically significant transition. Hack Creek pours out of the hillside, draining underground from Hack Lake on the shelf above. The lake, situated in spruce-fir forest, is unique in that it has no visible inlet or outlet. Beyond, the forest rolls up to summit cliffs. With each gain in elevation, a greater panorama unfolds, taking in the Gore Range and the northern Sawatch Range to the east and the massive peaks of the Elk Range to the south.
A fragment of the Ute Trail system, which only a century ago connected the whole state, adds a special historic aspect to the proposed wilderness addition. This trail segment was a major migration route between far western Colorado and the upper Colorado River Valley.
Potential Threats
The area as some potential for logging of spruce fir forests, but due to difficult access and relatively low yields there have been no efforts to date to log here.
The mineral of gypsum is suspected to be in the area. It’s assumed that the quantities of this mineral are insufficient to develop.
As with most places on public lands, damaging motorized recreation has the potential to significantly alter the character of the landscape.
Other Info
The proposed wilderness includes significant Forest Service Roadless areas, a BLM WSA and adjacent BLM lands.
3,548 acres (5.5 square miles)
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