RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO 



Along the headwaters of the Kio Grande del Norte, " Great Kiver 

 of the 5s^orth." lies a rugged country favored with an abundance of 

 natural wealth. Many stockmen are dependent upon it for summer 

 range. Farmers know it to be the source from which flow the waters 

 that make the San Luis Valley a prosperous community. Tourists 

 call it scenic. Fishermen know it as a place for a sure catch. And 

 foresters are managing there a valuable stand of timber. Such is 

 the Rio Grande National Forest, risen to importance out of the ashes 

 of one of Colorado's early mining flares. When "' It was day all day 



;';-r. 1. >:.:..-..... ...ime on RIm l' nv,:-- --2:1-: 



in the daytime and there was no night in Creede " the rich yields of 

 ore and the business of mining held men's attention to the exclusion 

 of all else, but a pause in the production of minerals has revealed 

 other wealth. 



THE NATIONAL FOREST 



Area, net acres__ 1,135,764 



Timber board feet__ 2, 000, 000, 000 



Forage sheep and cattle grazed__ 220, 000 



Fishing streams miles__ 600 



Roads do 150 



Trails do 1, 200 



The Rio Grande National Forest is a storehouse of great natural 

 wealth. It is an important economic factor in the welfare of sur- 

 rounding local communities. It is a public asset in which everyone 

 of its users should have a personal interest. 



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