South San Juan Wilderness

The South San Juan Wilderness is characterized by a remote, glacier-carved terrain: broad, U-shaped valleys cut even deeper by flowing streams below steep slopes and cliff walls. This imposing countryside was originally volcanic terrain. Today, these jagged pinnacles and ragged ridges between high peaks and cliffs rise stately above 32 lakes that drain into fast-flowing streams that drop quickly out of these mountains on either side of the Continental Divide.

The South San Juan Wilderness offers some of the best backpacking experience in Colorado, with more than 180 miles of established trails, including a 42-mile section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The fishing: well, the Blanco, San Juan and Conejos Rivers all start their journeys to the oceans here. The rich volcanic soil, the lush forestlands, the plethora of bugs (just kidding, sort of) make the flowing waters an excellent place to catch your daily bag and possession limit of rainbow, brown and brook trout. 25 miles of the Conejos River have been recommended for classification as a Wild and Scenic River. And you'll find hot springs bubbling to the surface in some places out here.

The hunting: the last recorded killing of a grizzly bear in Colorado happened in these mountains back in 1979. As this wilderness area is ranked as the wildest in Colorado, there may still be some grizzlies out in the bush (but if there are, they've been smart enough to stay away from humans). Elk, mule deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, bobcat, they're all well represented here.

South San Juan Wilderness area map