South San Juan Wilderness, National Wilderness Area in San Juan National Forest, Colorado.
The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses 158,790 acres of alpine terrain with 32 glacier-formed lakes and peaks reaching elevations above 13,000 feet.
The United States Congress designated this area as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1980, marking a commitment to land conservation.
Native American tribes inhabited these lands before European settlement, utilizing the resources from the Conejos, Blanco, and San Juan Rivers headwaters.
The wilderness contains 180 miles of maintained trails, including 42 miles of the Continental Divide Trail, with access points from Pagosa Springs.
The last documented grizzly bear in Colorado was recorded in this wilderness in 1979, leading to speculation about remaining populations.
Location: Colorado
Inception: 1980
GPS coordinates: 37.66670,-106.63300
Latest update: May 28, 2025 20:22
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