Raggeds Wilderness – Image Gallery

Raggeds Wilderness

The Raggeds Wilderness in Colorado is a rugged and remote area of the Elk Mountains known for its jagged peaks and pristine alpine lakes.

Details

Raggeds Wilderness

The Raggeds Wilderness is a designated wilderness area located in Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. The wilderness area covers approximately 65,443 acres and was designated in 1980. It is named after the jagged peaks and rugged terrain that characterize the landscape.

Features:

• Mountains: The Raggeds Wilderness is home to several prominent peaks, including Ragged Mountain, Chair Mountain, and Beckwith Peak. These mountains provide stunning views and challenging hiking opportunities.
• Forests: The wilderness area is covered in dense forests of spruce, fir, and aspen trees. These forests provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, black bears, and mountain lions.
• Wilderness: The Raggeds Wilderness offers visitors a chance to experience true wilderness, with no roads or motorized vehicles allowed. Hiking, backpacking, and camping are popular activities in the area.
• Wildlife: The wilderness area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and golden eagles. Birdwatchers will also enjoy spotting a variety of bird species in the area.

Ecological Significance:

The Raggeds Wilderness is an important habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The wilderness area includes several different ecosystems, from alpine meadows to montane forests. This diversity of habitats supports a wide range of wildlife and plant species.

Protecting the Raggeds Wilderness helps preserve critical habitat for species that are sensitive to human disturbance. By designating this area as wilderness, the ecosystem is safeguarded from development and fragmentation, allowing plants and animals to thrive in their natural environment.

Visitors to the Raggeds Wilderness can experience a pristine landscape that has been largely untouched by human activity. The wilderness area offers a chance to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty and diversity of Colorado's wilderness.

Raggeds Wilderness

Points of Interest

The Raggeds Wilderness

The Raggeds Wilderness is a stunning area located in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. It is known for its rugged and remote beauty, with towering peaks, deep valleys, and pristine alpine lakes. The wilderness area covers over 65,000 acres and offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the most popular points of interest in the Raggeds Wilderness:

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is one of the most iconic and popular destinations in the Raggeds Wilderness. It is home to the famous Maroon Bells, two towering peaks that are often considered the most photographed mountains in Colorado. The wilderness area also features numerous hiking trails, alpine lakes, and beautiful meadows, making it a favorite spot for backpackers and day hikers alike.

Oh-Be-Joyful Pass

Oh-Be-Joyful Pass is a scenic mountain pass located in the Raggeds Wilderness. It offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, making it a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. The pass can be reached via a challenging hike, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.

Ruby Peak

Ruby Peak is one of the highest peaks in the Raggeds Wilderness, standing at over 13,000 feet tall. It offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it a popular destination for experienced hikers and climbers. The peak can be reached via a strenuous hike, but the views from the summit are truly unforgettable.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in the Raggeds Wilderness. It is surrounded by towering peaks and lush meadows, making it a picturesque spot for camping, fishing, and picnicking. The lake can be reached via a moderate hike, making it a popular destination for families and casual hikers.

Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just looking for a scenic spot to relax and enjoy nature, the Raggeds Wilderness has something for everyone. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and abundance of recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why this area is one of Colorado's most popular wilderness destinations.

Raggeds Wilderness – Images

Description: Chair Mountain

Image by Hogs555 – CC BY-SA 3.0 – Wikimedia

Description: Identifier: wildernessofuppe01shel (find matches) Title: The wilderness of the upper Yukon; a hunter's explorations for wild sheep in sub-arctic mountains Year: 1919 (1910s) Authors: Sheldon, Charles, 1867-1928 Subjects: Hunting Mountain sheep Publisher: New York, C. Scribner's sons Contributing Library: The Library of Congress Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation View Book Page: Book Viewer About This Book: Catalog Entry View All Images: All Images From Book Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book. Text Appearing Before Image: adornthe dancing mountain creeks. The dense willow brushand dwarf-birches so impeded walking that it requiredan hour to go two and a half miles to the head of thebasin. It was hot and sultry and a light haze hungabout the crests. Again I was walking over emerald-green pastures in an amphitheatre of mountains, withground-squirrels running about in all directions, whileabove me two golden eagles wheeled in flight. Beginning to climb a mountain on the west side of thebasin, I was surprised to see a chipmunk picking up somekind of morsels among the rocks. Soon I was cheeredby reaching a sheep-trail leading up the slope, and, fol-lowing it, I at length reached the top, 6,900 feet altitude,according to my barometer. For the first time the glories of the Pellys were spreadout before me—high, ragged ranges shooting up into thesky in all directions, the vision lost in a sea of peaks. Nowind, not even a distant sound disturbed the silence. The western face of the mountain fell in sheer cliffs Text Appearing After Image: Looking up the Lapif. Piver, July 25. Note About Images Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original work.

Image by Internet Archive Book Images – No restrictions – Wikimedia