McClure Pass -1,680 acres (3 square miles)
Setting
This proposed area is perched on the northeast slopes of Chair Mountain, and includes the steep hillsides above Highway 133. The area is an extension of the Raggeds Wilderness. The terrain consists of the jagged Chair Mountain peaks that drain steeply to the Crystal River via Chair and Rapid Creeks. The hillside is forested with aspens along the Crystal River and at McClure Pass, and spruce/fir higher up. This unit features massive avalanche shoots that have scoured trees from their drainages. The elevation ranges from 7,700 feet at the Crystal River to 11,885 feet, north of Chair Mountain. This represents over 4,000 feet of vertical relief in just two miles.
What's special about it?
The proposed McClure Pass Wilderness Addition is important as an extension to the protected Raggeds Wilderness Area to the south. This landscape's connectivity is utilized by various species that traverse between the Raggeds Wilderness and the Huntsman Ridge/Thompson Creek Roadless Areas and on over to the Battlement and Grand Mesas roadless areas. The proposed area is important to landowners on the southwest boundary of the unit for accessing the Raggeds Wilderness. The area receives low recreation use and the steep terrain is not suited to motorized or mechanized recreation. The Forest Service has identified it as an area with a high variety and abundance of wildlife.
Potential threats
The steepness of the terrain limits the potential for development or motorized incursions. The Colorado Department of Transportation performs avalanche control work in this area. Historic aspen timber sales exist in the area and, coupled with the fact that the area lies adjacent to what is considered by many to be the largest contiguous aspen forest in the world, it is reasonable to expect future pressures to harvest more aspen here.
Division of Wildlife habitat qualities, species of significance
The area serves as summer range for mule deer, elk, and mountain goat. Some elk winter range is found at the lower elevations near Gunnison CR 3. A historical purple martin nesting area is located at the north end of the area near highway 133 at McClure Pass. This is one of only a few similar sites known in Colorado. The area also contains potential lynx habitat, and lynx sightings have occurred in the area.
CDOW management recommendations: This area should remain roadless with no new trails or road construction which will help prevent habitat fragmentation, provide summer solitude and maintain a quality hunting experience.
Outreach Results
In response to the request of private landowners adjacent to the McClure Pass area planning to build a micro hydro-power project, a right-of-way was cherry stemmed along an historic ditch providing the ability to install a penstock. See table of adjustments for details.
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