Introduction
The United States Congress designated the West Elk Wilderness (
map) in 1964 and it now has a total of
176,412 acres.
All of this wilderness is located in
Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service.
Description
The West Elk's most attractive offering may be a large and untamed area with little visitation. Only during fall hunting season do the trails and campsites fill. Elk and deer number in the thousands. You'll find many mountain passes leading to secluded and seldom-seen valleys filled with beaver ponds and lined with trembling aspen that turn a fantastic and indescribable gold in September. Volcanic activity has produced long lava flows, sometimes pushing mud before them. Ridges were crumbled and carved by wind and water into fantastic turrets, pinnacles, and crenellated bulwarks. The topography is reflected in many of the area's geographic names: Castle Pass, Castle View, Castle Creek, the Castles. About two hundred miles of trails offer opportunities for extended loop hikes through the West Elk, the fifth largest Wilderness in Colorado. Most of the trails provide excellent pathways for horse traffic. The Mill Castle Trail travels up to Storm Pass at 12,460 feet offering extravagant vistas and the best look at the castle like formations of this area.
