34 MISC. PUBLICATION 18, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



headquarters. Use of the forest in a variety of ways has aroused 

 the interest of the public in preserving its resources and has resulted 

 in very efficient cooperation in fire protection. 



First-class automobile roads completely encircle the San Isabel, 

 and a number of good highways, over which shorter trips may be 

 made, pass through the forest. These roads not only bring visitors 

 to the forest but serve the needs of ranchmen, farmers, and. citizens 

 interested in the home-building and wealth-producing activities of 

 the region. 



Likewise the numerous saddle-horse and foot trails function in 

 the economic life of the community, as well as affording opportunities 

 for recreation. The most spectacular trail follows the crest of the 

 Sangre de Cristo Range and gives a marvelous panorama of the sur- 

 rounding country for a distance of 200 miles, frequently from an 

 elevation of 13,500 feet. 



The San Isabel has a good supply of fish, big game, and game 

 birds, but not enough to make it a mecca for hunters and fishermen. 

 The keen sportsman, however, will have no difficulty in making a 

 good catch. All fish and game are protected by law but may be 

 taken during open seasons. The Las Animas division and the ex- 

 treme northern end of the Wet Mountain division are State game 

 refuges, in which hunting is prohibited at all times, but the streams 

 may be fished freely. The Sangre de Cristo Range will appeal both 

 to the angler and to the hunter. In that region the numerous lakes 

 and streams are kept stocked and constitute ideal fishing grounds. 

 Many of these waters are near timber line and can be reached only 

 by climbing. 



There is much of geological and scenic interest in the San Isabel. 

 In the Culebra Range of the Las Animas division are the strange 

 walls of Cucharas, a caprice of geology, displaying bizarre shapes 

 and exquisite coloring. Amid such picturesque settings are many 

 decaying buildings still diffusing the atmosphere of romance and 

 courage of the early settlers who erected them. 



The route over the Squirrel Creek Road in the Wet Mountains, 

 winding its way to the top of the range against a background of 

 timber-robed canyons, constitutes a rare combination of the wonders 

 of human and natural engineering. On a rock near Wetmore is to 

 be seen the signature of Kit Carson, carved many years ago by the 

 famous scout and Indian fighter. 



In the Sangre de Cristo Range are 40 lakes which have been 

 formed in old craters. Twenty miles south of West cliff e in a 

 red sandstone bed are fossils of early sea life which indicate that 

 this great range was formerly a sea bottom. Of special interest, too, 

 are the Medano, or disappearing creek; the Marble Cave, an unex- 

 plored, bottomless pit ; and the Great Sand Dunes, a desert of white 

 shifting sand, covering 30 square miles, from which rise mountains 

 of sand. 



FOREST TREES OF COLORADO 



In the rugged mountains of Colorado are many thousands of acres 

 of timber, and the responsibility of the Forest Service for its pro- 

 tection and utilization is very heavy. Close under the high peaks 

 is found the Engelmann spruce, gnarled and twisted and stunted 



