Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness | |
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| IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area) | |
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| Location: | Colorado and Utah, USA |
| Nearest city: | Grand Junction, CO |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 75,439 acres (305.29 km²) |
| Established: | October 24, 2000 |
| Governing body: | U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness is located in western Colorado and eastern Utah, USA, within the arid Colorado Plateau region approximately 15 miles (25 kilometers) west of Grand Junction, Colorado. The wilderness lies on the northwest flank of the Uncompahgre Plateau. It is characterized by the high, east-west trending Black Ridge dissected by seven major canyon systems, draining into the Colorado River in Ruby Canyon. Elevations range from 4,700 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level along the river to 6,800 feet (2070 meters). Canyons vary in length from several miles to twelve miles in length and may contain interesting side canyons. Geological features in these canyons include spires, windows, giant alcoves and desert varnish. Canyons may reach a depth of almost 1,000 feet (300 meters), forming spectacular redrock cliffs. Spring runoff and summer thunderstorms create glistening waterfalls and plunge pools. Rattlesnake Canyon contains the second largest concentration of natural arches in the country.
Vegetation in the meandering canyon bottoms includes pinyon-juniper, grasses, and cottonwoods, willow and box elder. The upland mesas contain a dense stands of pinyon-juniper with some sagebrush parks. Cryptobiotic soils are well developed in the upland area. Wildlife viewing may include deer, mountain lion, desert bighorn sheep, along with golden and bald eagles.The wilderness area is 75,439 acres (305.29 km²). Colorado contains 70,319 acres (284.57 km²) and Utah contains 5,120 acres (20.72 km²). It was designated by the U.S. Congress in 2000 and is administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness forms the core of the 122,300-acre (495 km²) McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.
[edit] See also
- Rattlesnake Canyon
- Ruby Canyon
- Wilderness
- National Wilderness Preservation System
- List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
[edit] References
- Lynna P. Howard, Utah's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide (Westcliffe Publishers, 2005) ISBN 1-56579-388-9
[edit] External links
- Wilderness.net: Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
- BLM Colorado: Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
- BLM Colorado: McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
- Google Local satellite view
- Maps and aerial photos
- WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image from TerraServer-USA
- Surrounding area map from Google Maps
- Location in the United States from the Census Bureau
