The West Elk Wilderness encompasses more than
176,000 acres in the Gunnison National Forest.
Elevations within the Wilderness range from 7,000
to over 13,000 feet. Over 200 miles of constructed
trails are available for both boot and horse travel
through sometimes rugged terrain. Weather for the
area can vary greatly; but generally, you can expect
cool mountain climate with scattered rain showers
throughout the summer months. Normally, the
West Elk Area is snow free from mid-July to September, but conditions depend on the elevation and
amount of snowfall each winter. Lower elevations
from around 7,000 to 8,500 feet may become snow
free by early June, but some creek and river water
levels tend to be high. The annual precipitation varies from 25 inches to 40 inches. Some points of
interest in the West Elks are the Castles, West Elk
Peak, Sheep Lake, North/Middle/South Baldy
Mountain, West and East Beckwith Mountains.
Wildlife includes elk, mule deer, black bear, bobcat,
mountain lion, coyote, snowshoe hares, Golden Eagle and other small species. Streams are inhabited
by native cutthroat, rainbow, brook and brown trout.
Forest maps and trail information is available at the
Forest Service offices in Delta, Paonia and Gunnison. Please observe Wilderness guidelines when
you visit and record trips at trailhead registers.
Wilderness Guidelines
1. Maximum party size is 25 heart beat, this is a
maximum of 15 people and includes livestock and
pets. Larger groups tend to do significant damage
to trails and campsites.
2.
Locate campsites, campfires and recreational
stock at least 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails.
Vegetation and soils adjacent to lakes and streams
are sensitive to disturbance. Camping away from
trails adds to a visitor’s sense of solitude.
3. All dogs, except for working stock dogs, guide
dogs or dogs used for legal hunting, must be restrained on a leash and/or under direct verbal control of the dogs’ owner or handler at all times. Pets
are not a natural part of the wilderness and their
presence can disrupt wildlife.
4. No motorized vehicles, motorized equipment,
motorboats or other forms of mechanical transport
such as mountain bikes within the Wilderness is
allowed.
5. Landing of aircraft or dropping of materials,
supplies or persons from aircraft is prohibited.
6.
Camping and campfires within 1/4 mile of
Sheep Lake is not allowed.
7. Stay on the trail when possible. Short cutting
switchbacks creates a path which channels water
and accelerates erosion.
8. Pack out everything you bring in and any other
trash you may find along the way.
9. Use pack stoves, especially in areas of heavy
use. If a campfire is necessary, make a small fire
without rocks around it. Rocks and the soil are easily scarred by fire. Make sure your fire is dead out
and erase all signs of fire when you leave.
10. Bury human waste at least 100 feet from lakes
and streams and 6 inches in the soil so it will decompose naturally.
11. Wash at least 50 feet from lakes and streams.
Use a biodegradable soap.
Personal Safety is a constant consideration in the
Wilderness. Wilderness users face inherent risk of
adverse weather conditions, isolation, physical hazards, and lack of rapid communication. Listed below are some important safety concerns:
Giardia is a microscopic organism found in water
which can cause diarrhea, nausea, weakness, and a
fever. Chlorine and Iodine are ineffective, but boiling your water for 5-10 minutes will kill the organism.
Hypothermia is a lowering of the body’s core temperature which can lead to death. Symptoms include shivering, tiredness, slurred speech and disorientation. Prevention—Keep the victim warm
and dry and give hot drinks if possible. Do not give
the victim any alcoholic beverages. Get professional medical assistance immediately.
Emergency Contacts:
Delta County Sheriff’s Department: (970)874-2000,
Gunnison County Sheriff’s Department:
(970)641-8000, or 911.
Sheep Lake
West Elk Wilderness
For any questions or comments please contact:
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison
National Forests Supervisors Office
2250 Highway 50
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-6600
www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug
This map is not intended for use as a trail map. US
Geological Survey 7 1/2 minute topographic maps
show the level of detail needed for wilderness travel
use. You can buy these maps at most sporting goods
stores or directly from USGS at:
US Geological Survey
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25046
Denver, CO 80225
www.usgs.gov
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Paonia Ranger District
The following maps cover the West Elk Wilderness
Area:
Minnesota Pass, W. Beckwith Peak, Anthracite Range,
Mt. Guero, Big Soap Park, West Elk Peak, Squirrel
Creek,
Little Soap Park, West Elk Peak SW, & McIntosh Mt.
Minnesota
Pass
WBeckwith
Peak
Anthracite
Range
Mt
Axtell
Mt.Guero
Big Soap
Park
West Elk
Peak
Squirrel
Creek
Little Soap
Park
West Elk
Peak SW
McIntosh
Mt.
For more information write or call:
Gunnison National Forest
Gunnison Ranger District
Paonia Ranger District
216 North Colorado
P.O. Box 1030
Gunnison, CO 81230
Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 641-0471
(970) 527-4131
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TH
Gunnison Ranger District
4.
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Trail Heads:
1. Throughline
2. Little Robinson
3. Soap Creek
4. Rainbow Lake
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TH
3.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Principles of Leave No Trace:
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA;s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice & TDD). To file a
complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer.
West Elk Wilderness Area
1. Plan Ahead & Prepare.
2. Travel & Camp on Durable
Surfaces.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly.
4. Leave What You Find.
West Elk Wilderness Regulations
Large groups cannot exceed 15 people
per group with a maximum combination
of people and stock not to exceed 25 per
group. Please do not short cut switchbacks in the trail.
Camp at least 100 feet from all
lakes, streams, and National Forest
System Trails. Camping is not allowed within 300 ft. of Sheep
Lake. There is a 14 day camping
limit.
Campfires should be at least 100
feet from all lakes, streams, and
National Forest System Trails and
are not allowed at or above tree
line. Campfires are not allowed
within 300 ft. of Sheep Lake.
If planning to highline or hobble
your pack or saddle animals, do
so at least 100 feet from all lakes,
streams, and National Forest
System Trails. Hay and feed
pellets must be certified weed free
on all National Forest Lands.
All dogs (except for working
stock dogs, guide dogs, or dogs
used for legal hunting) must be
restrained on a leash and/or
under direct verbal control of the
dogs’ owner or handler at all
times.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts.
6. Respect Wildlife.
7. Be Considerate of Other
Visitors.
All motorized and
mechanized equipment is
prohibited by law in
Wilderness Areas. This
includes but is not limited
to: bicycles, motorcycles,
snowmobiles, ATV’s, hang
gliders, drones, chainsaws,
game carts, and wagons.
