Wilderness Study Area Monitoring

Three of the 7 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) in SW Colorado, are monitored by SJMA volunteers who love to be in remote parts of the countryside enjoying the scenery. Cahone Canyon, Cross Canyon and McKenna Peak WSA’s are breathtaking areas in SW Colorado’s canyon country. In addition, the Spring Creek Wild Horse Herd Management area overlaps the McKenna Peak WSA. Anyone with an eye for beauty is encouraged to participate. Volunteers assist with back country monitoring of Cross and Cahone Canyons in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and McKenna Peak in Disappointment Valley.

WSA’s are managed for their wilderness qualities but have not been designated by congress. As in designated wilderness, there are no roads or motorized or mechanized vehicles allowed. WSA’s have the potential to become designated wilderness in the future.

McKenna Peak is a BLM Wilderness Study Area, located in Disappointment Valley, north of Dove Creek Colorado. The Spring Creek Wild Horse Herd overlaps the McKenna Peak WSA and encompasses about 22,000 acres with a portion of the area within the McKenna Peak WSA boundary.
The Wild Bunch Partners, a newly formed group, whose mission is to assist the BLM in their management of the herd area, consists of Back Country Horsemen, SJMA and the National Mustang Association. TJ Holmes, volunteer, has created a blog about the Spring Creek Herd, http://springcreekwild.wordpress.com/ .

For more information how you can get involved, contact SJMA
Kathe Hayes (970) 385-1310.
Volunteers for Canyons of the Ancients
Trail Information Specialists

Training: November 14, 2009