Towering mountains, cheery small towns, abundant flowy singletrack, and the option to tackle as many as 7 bike-legal 14ers along the way - a classic choose-your-level-of-challenge route in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.
Alert: As of the 2021 riding season, the small loop off the northernmost end of the main loop from Alma is no longer open to public access to reach Mt. Cameron and Mt. Lincoln. Please do not ride that small loop - the Colorado 14ers Initiative has been in discussions with private landowners about this access issue, and trespassing will only complicate these discussions.
General Route Description
The mountains of central Colorado are home to the highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in Lower 48. And some of those peaks are somewhat rideable and open to bikes, although few riders ever tackle such challenging terrain. This loop connects routes up 7 of these 14ers with another ~200 miles of beautiful, singletrack-rich riding between Salida and Leadville. So choose your adventure – an enjoyable 4+ day loop, throw in a 14er adventure or two, or try and tackle all 7 for a truly exhausting endeavor.
The recommended beginning and ending point for this route is the small town of Salida, a hub for any and all forms of mountain recreation. From Salida, the route climbs west to join the Colorado Trail, and the flowy singletrack winds its way north along the flanks of the Collegiate Peaks to the towns of Buena Vista and Leadville. Four of the 14er options sit just west of this section of the Colorado Trail – Mounts Shavano, Antero, Huron, and Elbert (Colorado’s highest peak). Each of these peaks requires a steep 4,000-foot climb with hike-a-bike, to reach the summit and some top-notch technical skills for the descent back down.
From Leadville, the steep climb up Mosquito Pass leads to the tiny town of Alma and the next two and most rideable 14ers, Mounts Cameron and Lincoln. The route then heads south on bike path and dirt roads, past Mount Sherman, the last of the 14ers, eventually reaching primitive singletrack below the eastern slopes of Buffalo Peaks. A few dozen miles of quiet forest roads leads to a final 2,000-foot singletrack descent that leads directly to downtown Salida, closing the loop with an exclamation point.
If you ride this route and enjoy it, please consider joining Bikepacking Roots (membership is free!) and sending us a donation to support future route development projects. And if you have any feedback or found areas where route updates are necessary, we'd love to hear from you. Please send any comments to routes@bikepackingroots.org.
The mountains of central Colorado are home to the highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in Lower 48. And some of those peaks are somewhat rideable and open to bikes, although few riders ever tackle such challenging terrain. This loop connects routes up 7 of these 14ers with another ~200 miles of beautiful, singletrack-rich riding between Salida and Leadville. So choose your adventure – an enjoyable 4+ day loop, throw in a 14er adventure or two, or try and tackle all 7 for a truly exhausting endeavor.
The recommended beginning and ending point for this route is the small town of Salida, a hub for any and all forms of mountain recreation. From Salida, the route climbs west to join the Colorado Trail, and the flowy singletrack winds its way north along the flanks of the Collegiate Peaks to the towns of Buena Vista and Leadville. Four of the 14er options sit just west of this section of the Colorado Trail – Mounts Shavano, Antero, Huron, and Elbert (Colorado’s highest peak). Each of these peaks requires a steep 4,000-foot climb with hike-a-bike, to reach the summit and some top-notch technical skills for the descent back down.
From Leadville, the steep climb up Mosquito Pass leads to the tiny town of Alma and the next two and most rideable 14ers, Mounts Cameron and Lincoln. The route then heads south on bike path and dirt roads, past Mount Sherman, the last of the 14ers, eventually reaching primitive singletrack below the eastern slopes of Buffalo Peaks. A few dozen miles of quiet forest roads leads to a final 2,000-foot singletrack descent that leads directly to downtown Salida, closing the loop with an exclamation point.
If you ride this route and enjoy it, please consider joining Bikepacking Roots (membership is free!) and sending us a donation to support future route development projects. And if you have any feedback or found areas where route updates are necessary, we'd love to hear from you. Please send any comments to routes@bikepackingroots.org.
ROUTE INFORMATION
Basic information
Distance: 192 with out the 14ers or 285 miles with the 14ers
Climbing: 28,500 feet without the 14ers or 50,000 feet with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 4+ without the 14ers or 9+ days with the 14ers
Recommended starting location/direction: Salida, clockwise
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10% without the 14ers or 5% with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20% without the 14ers or 25% with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20% without the 14ers or 25% with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 50% without the 14ers or 45% with the 14ers
% Rideable: 90% without the 14ers or 70% with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6 without the 14ers or 10 with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6 without the 14ers or 10 with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation, timing weather windows between storms, hike-a-bike
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 80 miles/2+ days without the 14ers or 90 miles/3+ days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 30 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended bike type: Mountain bike (long-travel full suspension for the 14ers)
Climbing: 28,500 feet without the 14ers or 50,000 feet with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 4+ without the 14ers or 9+ days with the 14ers
Recommended starting location/direction: Salida, clockwise
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10% without the 14ers or 5% with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20% without the 14ers or 25% with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20% without the 14ers or 25% with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 50% without the 14ers or 45% with the 14ers
% Rideable: 90% without the 14ers or 70% with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6 without the 14ers or 10 with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6 without the 14ers or 10 with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation, timing weather windows between storms, hike-a-bike
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 80 miles/2+ days without the 14ers or 90 miles/3+ days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 30 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended bike type: Mountain bike (long-travel full suspension for the 14ers)
Highlights
- Flowy, mostly-rideable Colorado Trail singletrack between Salida and Leadville
- Towering 14ers standing high above the scenic Arkansas River Valley
- Access to 7 of the 8 semi-rideable 14ers that are bike-legal; riding these is some of the most stunning, memorable, and difficult mountain riding in the West
- Cheery mountain towns - Buena Vista, Leadville, Alma, and Salida
- Rugged mine roads into the alpine at 13,000-foot Mosquito Pass
- Primitive backcountry singletrack with big views into South Park
- Classic Salida singletrack descending right to downtown
- Glowing aspen groves if ridden in September
Logistics
- Ideal time of year: For
the base loop without including the 14ers, mid-July to mid-September are
the ideal time of year. Following particularly snowy winters, the climb
over Mosquito Pass (13,000’ at the top) may still be snowy through
mid-July. If attempting to tackle 14ers along the way, mid-August to
mid-September is the narrow window in between sufficient snow melting
off the peaks and the first snowfalls of the next winter.
- Safety concerns: Be particularly wary of afternoon thunderstorms. These convective storms often are quite electric, and lightning strikes are very common, and fatalities due to lightning strikes can happen. Take this risk very seriously. Plan to be down below treeline by noon at the latest on days when storms are building.
- Summiting the 14ers: For each of the 14ers along this loop, bags/bikes can be stashed in the woods, and the peaks can be hiked/ridden unloaded. But if taking your bike along to the summit, plan to hiking up most, if not all, of each peak (roughly 4,000 vertical feet). These are steep, rugged, rocky trails created by and for foot travel. Descending these trails on bike requires advanced skills, and given the relatively remote nature of these peaks, don’t use the trails to push your limits and test your skills – exercise caution and restraint. Long-travel full suspension bikes, dropper posts, and pads are strongly recommended.
- Bike access on the 14ers: Riding the 14ers along this loop is a fringe activity that, as of the summer of 2016, was permitted by the US Forest Service on all the peaks included on this route. Continued access by mountain bike is tenuous, so it is of paramount importance that mountain bikers exercise the utmost respect and kindness toward hikers and horse riders on these trails, and practice conscious mountain Leave No Trace skills.
- Water availability: Water is relatively abundant along this route, but it should all be treated or filtered appropriately. Do not drink the water in the drainage above Leadville due to heavy metal contamination. The longest stretch without water is final 30 miles of the route (when riding the loop clockwise) which has little, if any, surface water in the late summer.
- Resupply options: Salida, Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, Leadville, Alma, and Fairplay (3 miles off route)
- Lodging options: Salida, Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, Leadville, and Fairplay (3 miles off route).
- Bike shops:
Salida (Absolute Bikes, Sub-Culture Cyclery, and Salida Bike Company),
Buena Vista (Boneshaker Cycles), and Leadville (Cycles of Life).
ROUTE Development credit
This route was the brainchild of Scott Morris in an ambitious attempted to connect all the “semi-rideable” and bike legal 14ers on one bikepacking loop (with the exception of Pikes Peak). Scott and Kurt Refsnider developed the resulting loop, choosing the most rideable and enjoyable links in between the 14ers. Final route scouting was completed in the summer of 2016 by Kurt, Scott, and Eszter Horanyi.
route downloads
This route and associated information is just a starting point for your preparation, and your safety is your responsibility. Although this route, its GPS track, and route data were prepared after extensive research, their accuracy and reliability are not guaranteed. Check for current conditions, route updates, use your common sense, obey local laws and rules, and travel with alternative means of navigation. Bikepacking Roots, its directors, employees, and volunteers will in no way be responsible for personal injury or damage to personal property arising in conjunction with using this route. If you do encounter changed conditions or inaccuracies, Bikepacking Roots welcomes your input - please send comments to routes@bikepackingroots.org.
- Colorado 14ers Loop without 14ers GPS track v4.1 (gpx format; updated 5/2022)
- Colorado 14ers Loop with 14ers GPS track v4.1 (gpx format; updated 5/2022)
- Colorado 14ers Loop waypoints v4.1 (gpx format; updated 5/2022)
- Colorado 14ers Loop Route Guide (PDF; updated 5/5/2017)
If you ride this route and enjoy it, please consider joining Bikepacking Roots (membership is free!) and sending us a donation to support future route development projects. And if you have any feedback or found areas where route updates are necessary, we'd love to hear from you. Please send any comments to routes@bikpackingroots.org.
other resources
- Recommended printed topographic maps:
- Salida-Buena Vista Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Summit County Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Recon trip tales and photos are available in Bike Magazine’s Fully Loaded web column and on the Salsa Cycles blog
Segment-by-Segment Route Details
SEGMENT 1: Buena Vista to Leadville (west side of loop)
With Salida at your back, pavement and dirt roads lead to the base of the towering peaks to the west, specifically Mt. Shavano. Colorado Trail singletrack picks up where the road ends and heads north toward Buena Vista. The trail is windy, flowing, and traverses the eastern flank of the Collegiate Peaks without any prolonged climbs. Stream crossings and aspen groves are frequent, good camping spots are abundant, and other trail users tend to be very friendly.
The first of the semi-rideable 14ers along the route is Mt. Shavano, the toughest of them all. The trail up climbs 4,300-foot climb in under 3 miles, and the descent is relentless incredibly technical riding. The next 14er north is Mount Antero, and the route up is far more gradual, but still quite steep at times. The route up following a mixture of singletrack and mine roads, and the most enjoyable trail down is entirely swoopy singletrack.
From above Buena Vista, the route leaves the Colorado Trail and takes the most direct dirt route to town. Eat up and resupply before heading north on a quiet dirt road along the Arkansas River. You’ll rejoin the Colorado Trail at Clear Creek Reservoir and follow it north to Twin Lakes. Beyond Twin Lakes, the Colorado Trail gets a bit more rugged, before a few miles of dirt road and pavement delivers you to the high-elevation town of Leadville.
Along the stretch of trail between Buena Vista and Leadville, the options for Mounts Huron and Elbert strike off to the west. Mt. Huron offers a steep, rocky ascent at the end of a long dirt road. Mt. Elbert, the tallest in Colorado, sits just off the Colorado Trail, and the trail offers some of the most breathtaking riding of any of the 14ers on this route. But beware of all the other trail users on this popular peak.
The first of the semi-rideable 14ers along the route is Mt. Shavano, the toughest of them all. The trail up climbs 4,300-foot climb in under 3 miles, and the descent is relentless incredibly technical riding. The next 14er north is Mount Antero, and the route up is far more gradual, but still quite steep at times. The route up following a mixture of singletrack and mine roads, and the most enjoyable trail down is entirely swoopy singletrack.
From above Buena Vista, the route leaves the Colorado Trail and takes the most direct dirt route to town. Eat up and resupply before heading north on a quiet dirt road along the Arkansas River. You’ll rejoin the Colorado Trail at Clear Creek Reservoir and follow it north to Twin Lakes. Beyond Twin Lakes, the Colorado Trail gets a bit more rugged, before a few miles of dirt road and pavement delivers you to the high-elevation town of Leadville.
Along the stretch of trail between Buena Vista and Leadville, the options for Mounts Huron and Elbert strike off to the west. Mt. Huron offers a steep, rocky ascent at the end of a long dirt road. Mt. Elbert, the tallest in Colorado, sits just off the Colorado Trail, and the trail offers some of the most breathtaking riding of any of the 14ers on this route. But beware of all the other trail users on this popular peak.
Segment length: 97/156 miles without/with the 14ers
Total climbing: 12,600/30,500 feet without/with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 2+/5+ without/with the 14ers
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 20/15% without/with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20/25% without/with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 10/20% without/with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 50/40% without/with the 14ers
% Rideable: 95/70% without/with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 44 miles/1-2 days without the 14ers; 68 miles/2-3 days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 15 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended printed topographic maps:
Total climbing: 12,600/30,500 feet without/with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 2+/5+ without/with the 14ers
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 20/15% without/with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20/25% without/with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 10/20% without/with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 50/40% without/with the 14ers
% Rideable: 95/70% without/with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 44 miles/1-2 days without the 14ers; 68 miles/2-3 days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 15 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended printed topographic maps:
- Salida-Buena Vista Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Summit County Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Flowing Colorado Trail singletrack through aspen groves
- Abundant streams and frequent resupply options
- The Collegiate Peaks towering over the scenic Arkansas River Valley below
- 14er after 14er with many options summiting via foot or bike
- Camping is possible along most of this segment aside from the ~10 miles west of Salida, the ~10 miles north of Buena Vista, and the ~6 miles west of Leadville.
- Water is abundant
- Resupply options include Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, and Leadville.
- Lodging is available in Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, and Leadville
- Salida: Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center – (719) 530-2200, 1000 Rush Drive
- Leadville: St. Vincent Hospital – (719) 486-0230, 822 W. 4th St.
SEGMENT 2: Leadville to Buena Vista (east side of loop)
After following the popular Colorado Trail to Leadville, the route begins to loop back south through country that sees far fewer bikepackers. The toughest, tallest climb on the main loop gains Mosquito Pass through the heart of the still-active Leadville Mining District on steep, loose mining roads. On the east side of the pass sits the much smaller town of Alma and access to Mounts Cameron and Lincoln to the north. Beyond Alma, the route descends gradually on paved bike path toward Fairplay before turning south through rural neighborhoods and 4x4 roads to Fourmile Creek. To the west sits Mt. Sherman, the final 14er on this loop.
Mounts Cameron and Lincoln can be ridden from Alma as a loop, best done clockwise. Most of this loop follows rough mine roads that top out at nearly 14,000 feet. From there, gaining the summit of Cameron is just a short jaunt off the main ridge. Summiting Mt. Lincoln requires a bit of scrambly hike-a-bike, but the huge views are well worth the effort. The descent off Lincoln is steep, and loose to start, but after a few hundred feet, you’ll join another mine road and descend that all the way back down to the main valley far below. Mt. Sherman sits at the end of a graded dirt road, and it is easily rideable up to nearly 13,000 feet. From there, the trail to the summit is almost entirely on scree and talus, making for nearly continuous hiking up and rather treacherous riding down.
South of the Fourmile Creek Road, the main loop follows a series of 4x4 tracks, a bit of quad trail, passes through one last rural neighborhood, and then joins a series of primitive backcountry trails. The seldom-traveled Sheep Creek, Tumble Creek, and Salt Creek trails are all quite rideable, water is relatively abundant, and the views looking east into South Park are unparalleled.
The final 40 miles of the route is primarily dirt road descending from Buffalo Peaks and then traversing the rugged landscape to the south before joining singletrack for the final long descent into Salida. The dirt roads first pass through Chubb Park, an area to avoid if wet due to the clay-rich roadbeds. After crossing Highway 285 and the final reliable water source on the route, the graded road climbs intermittently and becomes rougher. The high point on the road is Aspen Ridge, and from there, the route begins the up-and-down descent toward Salida. The final section of the route follows ~10 miles of singletrack right to downtown. This 2,000-foot descent (with a fair bit of climbing along the way) wraps up with the infamous Cottonwood Trail, sure to put a smile on your face as you roll back into town.
Mounts Cameron and Lincoln can be ridden from Alma as a loop, best done clockwise. Most of this loop follows rough mine roads that top out at nearly 14,000 feet. From there, gaining the summit of Cameron is just a short jaunt off the main ridge. Summiting Mt. Lincoln requires a bit of scrambly hike-a-bike, but the huge views are well worth the effort. The descent off Lincoln is steep, and loose to start, but after a few hundred feet, you’ll join another mine road and descend that all the way back down to the main valley far below. Mt. Sherman sits at the end of a graded dirt road, and it is easily rideable up to nearly 13,000 feet. From there, the trail to the summit is almost entirely on scree and talus, making for nearly continuous hiking up and rather treacherous riding down.
South of the Fourmile Creek Road, the main loop follows a series of 4x4 tracks, a bit of quad trail, passes through one last rural neighborhood, and then joins a series of primitive backcountry trails. The seldom-traveled Sheep Creek, Tumble Creek, and Salt Creek trails are all quite rideable, water is relatively abundant, and the views looking east into South Park are unparalleled.
The final 40 miles of the route is primarily dirt road descending from Buffalo Peaks and then traversing the rugged landscape to the south before joining singletrack for the final long descent into Salida. The dirt roads first pass through Chubb Park, an area to avoid if wet due to the clay-rich roadbeds. After crossing Highway 285 and the final reliable water source on the route, the graded road climbs intermittently and becomes rougher. The high point on the road is Aspen Ridge, and from there, the route begins the up-and-down descent toward Salida. The final section of the route follows ~10 miles of singletrack right to downtown. This 2,000-foot descent (with a fair bit of climbing along the way) wraps up with the infamous Cottonwood Trail, sure to put a smile on your face as you roll back into town.
Segment length: 95/129 miles without/with the 14ers
Total climbing: 11,400/19,000 without/with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 2+/4+ days without/with the 14ers
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 5/5% without/with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20/20% without/with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20/20% without/with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 65/65% without/with the 14ers
% Rideable: 90/70% without/with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 80 miles/2+ days without the 14ers; 90 miles/3+ days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 30 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended printed topographic maps:
Total climbing: 11,400/19,000 without/with the 14ers
Recommended number of days: 2+/4+ days without/with the 14ers
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 5/5% without/with the 14ers
% Dirt road: 20/20% without/with the 14ers
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20/20% without/with the 14ers
% Singletrack: 65/65% without/with the 14ers
% Rideable: 90/70% without/with the 14ers
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 6/10 without/with the 14ers
Bikepacking challenges: High elevation
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 80 miles/2+ days without the 14ers; 90 miles/3+ days with the 14ers
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 30 miles/<1 day with or without the 14ers
Recommended printed topographic maps:
- Salida-Buena Vista Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Summit County Colorado Trails (Latitude 40 Maps)
- Cresting Mosquito Pass and descending through long-abandoned mine infrastructure
- The astoundingly rideable (as far as 14ers go) Cameron-Lincoln loop from Alma
- The backcountry singletrack of the Sheep Creek, Tumble Creek, and Salt Creek Trails
- Big-sky views from meadows overlooking South Park
- Descending Cottonwood Trail right to downtown Salida
- Camping is possible along most of this segment aside from the ~3 miles east of Leadville, the ~10 miles south of Alma, and numerous other short sections.
- Water is relatively abundant aside from the final 30 miles north of Salida
- Resupply options include Leadville, Alma, and Fairplay (3 miles off route)
- Lodging is available in Leadville, Alma, and Fairplay (3 miles off route)
- Salida: Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center – (719) 530-2200, 1000 Rush Drive
- Leadville: St. Vincent Hospital – (719) 486-0230, 822 W. 4th St.
REGIONAL CONSERVATION ISSUES AND RESOURCES
LANDSCAPE GUIDE DOWNLOADS
Coming the 3rd week of May, 2017!
PUBLIC LANDS at risk
Our Public Lands Are Under Attack
640 million acres of land in the United States are public – owned by the citizens and managed by the federal government for multiple uses. These lands include forests, mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts, plains and include hundreds of thousands of miles of trails and dirt roads. Public lands are where we bikepack and these lands are under attack. Special interest groups and their political allies are on a campaign to transfer federal lands from the American public to the ownership of states. This land transfer threatens hundreds of millions of acres of protected land, an American fundamental value – that public land is ours – and it threatens the future of recreation and access to the land through which we bikepack.
The 14ers Loop spends most time in the San Isabel and Pike National Forests. The route closely bypasses the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Mount Massive Wilderness and the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, all of which provide critical protected habitat for flora and fauna that contribute to the overall ecosystem health of the Sawatch and Mosquito Range, as well as the overall Arkansas River headwaters.
640 million acres of land in the United States are public – owned by the citizens and managed by the federal government for multiple uses. These lands include forests, mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts, plains and include hundreds of thousands of miles of trails and dirt roads. Public lands are where we bikepack and these lands are under attack. Special interest groups and their political allies are on a campaign to transfer federal lands from the American public to the ownership of states. This land transfer threatens hundreds of millions of acres of protected land, an American fundamental value – that public land is ours – and it threatens the future of recreation and access to the land through which we bikepack.
The 14ers Loop spends most time in the San Isabel and Pike National Forests. The route closely bypasses the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Mount Massive Wilderness and the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, all of which provide critical protected habitat for flora and fauna that contribute to the overall ecosystem health of the Sawatch and Mosquito Range, as well as the overall Arkansas River headwaters.
Colorado Forest Health
Colorado boasts 24.4 million acres of forest, offering immense social, economic, and ecologic interests for all citizens and visitors, humans and non-humans alike, including sustainable timber industry, recreation, fresh water and watershed protection, diverse wildlife and habitat, and carbon sequestration. As climate continues to warm (2.5°F-6.5°F by 2050, statewide) forests will undoubtedly face continued challenges by increasingly large, severe wildfires, insect infestations, and long-term droughts (which perpetuate fire and insect infestation).
Bark beetle epidemic:
Climate, wildfire, human activity, and most significantly, insects and disease influence forest health. Outbreaks of native bark beetles contribute to the natural dynamics of forest by killing trees in mature forests and creating space for stand replacement. Subsequently, stand killing outbreaks impact the values humans put on forests such as timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection.
Bark beetles are a naturally occurring species in the Rocky Mountain region. Historically, beetle outbreaks have occurred but none to the extreme of those of the recent years. The scale of the bark beetle epidemic of the past two decades is attributed with warmer winters that do not control the beetle population as effectively, and prolonged drought that weakens the conifers’ resilience to beetle infestations. 17 species of bark beetles in the family Dendroctonus and Ips are native to the Rocky Mountain region
Spruce Beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) and Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) epidemic lingers, affecting all 8 national forests of the Rocky Mountain Region, though in recent years the Mountain Pine beetle infestation has subsided (impacting 3.4 million acres of lodgepole, ponderosa, limber pine forests in nearly 20 years) while the spruce beetle is still accelerating. Spruce beetle populations have expanded over the past seven years, causing the most widespread infestation of any bark beetle for four consecutive years. In 2015 spruce beetle infestations had expanded onto 182,000 acres of previously unaffected forests, totaling 409,000 acres across Colorado, and 1.5 million acres since 1996.
There is no way to protect forests from beetle outbreaks, nor is there a manageable way to mitigate the impacts of beetle infestation on trees. Colorado is likely to face the same set of challenges in managing and responding to spruce beetle forest devastation as was with the mountain pine beetle. Public safety, protection of transportation and utility infrastructure, and recreation access are all topics of concern and consideration for forest management. Beetle infestations are an opportunity for the Colorado timber industry to flourish, as spruce is a preferred wood type for construction. Additionally, the spruce beetle outbreaks offer an opportunity to proactively manage forests for increased resiliency to future impending challenges such as wildfire.
Wildfire:
Historic fire suppression, long term drought, and beetle kill all contribute to the present-day forest mosaic. Stands of densely spaced, dead trees contribute to a wealth of fuels for fires, and coupled with lengthening fire seasons, the risk of widespread, intense wildfire is further perpetuated by a changing climate. As population grows and the wildland-urban interface increases, and probability of wildfire increases from drought, beetle, and extended fire season, the cost and consequences of catastrophic wildfires also increase. In this sense, forest health and management is an ecological, economic, and social issue.
Additional resources from the Colorado State Forest Service:
2015 Forest Health Report
Colorado’s Forests in a Changing Climate
Want to give back and help ensure the future health of Colorado forests?
Climate, wildfire, human activity, and most significantly, insects and disease influence forest health. Outbreaks of native bark beetles contribute to the natural dynamics of forest by killing trees in mature forests and creating space for stand replacement. Subsequently, stand killing outbreaks impact the values humans put on forests such as timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection.
Bark beetles are a naturally occurring species in the Rocky Mountain region. Historically, beetle outbreaks have occurred but none to the extreme of those of the recent years. The scale of the bark beetle epidemic of the past two decades is attributed with warmer winters that do not control the beetle population as effectively, and prolonged drought that weakens the conifers’ resilience to beetle infestations. 17 species of bark beetles in the family Dendroctonus and Ips are native to the Rocky Mountain region
Spruce Beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) and Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) epidemic lingers, affecting all 8 national forests of the Rocky Mountain Region, though in recent years the Mountain Pine beetle infestation has subsided (impacting 3.4 million acres of lodgepole, ponderosa, limber pine forests in nearly 20 years) while the spruce beetle is still accelerating. Spruce beetle populations have expanded over the past seven years, causing the most widespread infestation of any bark beetle for four consecutive years. In 2015 spruce beetle infestations had expanded onto 182,000 acres of previously unaffected forests, totaling 409,000 acres across Colorado, and 1.5 million acres since 1996.
There is no way to protect forests from beetle outbreaks, nor is there a manageable way to mitigate the impacts of beetle infestation on trees. Colorado is likely to face the same set of challenges in managing and responding to spruce beetle forest devastation as was with the mountain pine beetle. Public safety, protection of transportation and utility infrastructure, and recreation access are all topics of concern and consideration for forest management. Beetle infestations are an opportunity for the Colorado timber industry to flourish, as spruce is a preferred wood type for construction. Additionally, the spruce beetle outbreaks offer an opportunity to proactively manage forests for increased resiliency to future impending challenges such as wildfire.
Wildfire:
Historic fire suppression, long term drought, and beetle kill all contribute to the present-day forest mosaic. Stands of densely spaced, dead trees contribute to a wealth of fuels for fires, and coupled with lengthening fire seasons, the risk of widespread, intense wildfire is further perpetuated by a changing climate. As population grows and the wildland-urban interface increases, and probability of wildfire increases from drought, beetle, and extended fire season, the cost and consequences of catastrophic wildfires also increase. In this sense, forest health and management is an ecological, economic, and social issue.
Additional resources from the Colorado State Forest Service:
2015 Forest Health Report
Colorado’s Forests in a Changing Climate
Want to give back and help ensure the future health of Colorado forests?
- Become a forest steward volunteer with the CSFS!
- Or donate to a selection of funds, each dedicated to shaping the future of forests.
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