Roosevelt National Forest
Believe it or not, real honest to goodness solitude can be found in Roosevelt National Forest. Would you have thought that was possible? Despite its proximity to the outdoor sports-crazed masses residing in Fort Collins, Boulder and Denver, yes, Roosevelt National Forest is a haven. more info
The forest began as a portion of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve established back in 1897. In 1910, this forest became the Colorado National Forest. In 1932, it was renamed again to honor President Theodore Roosevelt, the person most responsible for its creation.
The forest's ridge system, dominated by 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks, lures climbers to explore its sheer rock walls and crenellated crags. Hikers can wander through thick stands of lodgepole, aspen, spruce, and fir as they ascend toward glaciers and windswept tundra caressed by misty white clouds.
Some of the strongest winds ever recorded in North America (160 mph) rip across Niwot Ridge. And yet just beneath this extreme weather one can find solitude in the quiet cirque basins that cradle delicate glacial lakes. And it's not just wind that continues to shape these cathedrals of rock and ice, but water also plays a crucial role. Kayakers, rafters, and trout fishermen ply their trades in these waters.
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