South Egan Range Wilderness

The South Egan Range Wilderness is composed of 67,214 acres in the Egan Range about 2 miles east of the town of Lund. The wilderness protects nearly the entire rugged mountain spine that runs almost the whole length of the White River Valley. From the western side, sheer cliffs rise almost 4,000' above the valleys below. That upper ridge is easier to access from the more gentle eastern slopes through open meadows and forest.

While the lower areas of the South Egan Range Wilderness are filled with pinon and juniper forests with deep canyons of riparian vegetation, the higher areas and ridgetops are studded with stands of bristlecone pine. The southern 1/3 of the wilderness contains Long Valley, a large open bowl between high, sharp mountain ridges. The largely unexplored Angel Cave, a limestone-solution pit cave, is also in the wilderness at an elevation of about 9,000'. For wildlife you'll find elk, mule deer, various game birds, turkey vultures, kestrels, golden eagles, prairie falcons and several species of owls.

Access to the South Egan Range Wilderness is via US 6. Go about 20 miles south of Ely, then turn southeast onto State Highway 318. SR 318 parallels the western boundary of the wilderness area.