San Isabel National Forest
National Wilderness Areas

Parts of the following Wilderness Areas are in the San Isabel National Forest:

• Holy Cross
• Mount Massive
• Collegiate Peaks
• Buffalo Peaks
• Sangre de Cristo
• Greenhorn
• Spanish Peaks

When we go into these designated wilderness areas, there's certain common sense rules to keep in mind:

• Dogs: Please remember, dogs must be under control at all times. Owners whose dog is disturbing wildlife, people or their property can be cited.
• Packstock: Secure animals 100-200’ away from lakes, streams and trails. A picket line is less damaging to trees than direct tying. Move stock often when picketing to prevent resource damage.
• Camping: Take some time when you reach your destination to find the most appropriate site for you and your group. Try not to pick the first site you see, even if you’re tired! Look around, choose a site that is protected, not visible from the trail and is at least 100 feet from lakes, streams or any water source. To minimize impacts please use an existing site.
• Waste: Soap, even biodegradable, pollutes the water. Dispose of wash water at least 100’ away from any water source. Bury human waste in a hole 6" deep and 200’ away from any water source, trail or campsite. Pack out toilet paper, tampons and left over food – otherwise animals will dig it up almost as soon as you break camp. LEAVE NO TRACE!
  
• Water: All water can carry giardia, a protozoa that affects the human intestinal system and can cause serious illness. Water can be treated by boiling at least 5 minutes, using iodine tablets or crystals, or filtering.
• Fires: Campfires are a tradition, but please consider their impacts:
  
  • Dead and downed wood is an important component of the ecosystem.
  • Large hot fires or concentrations of charcoal and ash can sterilize soils, leaving them unable to sustain plant life.
  • Many visitors consider fire-rings an eyesore.
  • If you choose to have a campfire:
    Keep it small in size and limit to evening and early morning hours when the heat is most needed.
    Build your fire in an existing fire-ring that is at least 100’ from water. Do not build new fire-rings.
    Avoid having fires above treeline. Dead wood removed from Krummholz (dwarf trees near timberline) affects their survival.