THE NATIONAL FORESTS OF COLORADO 23 



are being removed in the present operation. However, a sufficient 

 stand of reproduction and immature trees is coming on to insure 

 future crops. The market for mine props and ties makes the present 

 cutting a profitable one. 



THE HOLY CROSS NATIONAL FOREST 



The Holy Cross National Forest, separated from the Leadville by 

 the Continental Divide, spreads out much like a fan over the water- 

 sheds of the Eagle, Frying Pan, Crystal, and Roaring Fork Rivers. 

 Its name is derived from the Mount of the Holy Cross, which dis- 

 pla} 7 s very clearly a huge cross of snow during several weeks of the 

 early summer. 



As on the Leadville National Forest, mining is important, espe- 

 cially around Gilman, where zinc ore is found in large quantities. 

 Here also the timber is managed to support the demand of the local 

 industries, a large amount of material being cut every year from the 

 upper Eagle River working circle, the cut from which is regulated 

 under a management plan which provides for a permanent, regulated 

 yield of forest products. 



Roads lead well into the forest along the Crystal, Roaring Fork, 

 Eagle, and Frying Pan Rivers, and clear to the boundary and across 

 the divide along the last two. These streams are all noted for their 

 good fishing and are visited by many anglers every summer. 



At the head of Crystal River, on Yule Creek, is a tremendous de- 

 posit of white marble which has supported large quarries intermit- 

 tently for many years, although the industry has made little demand 

 on the resources of the forest. Many well-known structures in the 

 United States have been fashioned from Yule marble. 



In the southern and western parts of the Holy Cross National 

 Forest grazing is important, as it is related to the large ranching 

 region in the lower country to the north. Also a large number of 

 sheep from more distant points are grazed in the high range. Most 

 of them are shipped by train to Tennessee Pass, where they are 

 unloaded and trailed to the proper areas. 



THE GUNNISON NATIONAL FOREST 



South of the Holy Cross and adjoining the Leadville on the west 

 along the crest of the Continental Divide, is the Gunnison National 

 Forest. The forest lies crescent shaped around the upper slopes of 

 a great half bowl drained toward the south b}^ the upper branches 

 of the Gunnison River. The rim of this crescent to the north and 

 east is marked by very sharp, high ridges and peaks, the boundary 

 between the Gunnison and adjoining national forests.' On the west 

 the Gunnison slopes off gradually into the fruit-growing region of 

 the Uncompahgre, North Fork, and other valleys tributary to the 

 lower Colorado River. 



The summer range on the Gunnison is practically indispensable to 

 the livestock industry, which has been the principal pursuit of the 

 ranchers to the south and west ever since the valley was settled. In 

 handling this national forest more than average expert attention 

 has been given to range matters, not alone that the forest might serve 



