The San Juan Mountains are spectacularly scenic, filled with brilliant wildflowers, jagged peaks, and clear lakes, and sparkling streams. Within the San Juan range, and just six miles south of the Town of Telluride, is the Sheep Mountain area, which covers more than 11,000 acres and reaches an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet. It encompasses a variety of ecosystems, including alpine tundra, subalpine fir, aspen forests, and wetlands.
Sheep Mountain is part of the San Miguel citizens' wilderness proposal, which also includes Yellow Mountain, Hope Lake, the Ophir Valley's stunningly beautiful and pristine Waterfall and Swamp canyons, as well as the headwaters for Trout Lake.
The Sheep Mountain area is unique and worthy of wilderness protection because it provides connectivity between the adjacent Lizard Head Wilderness core reserve and nearby pristine roadless areas, and protects the headwaters of one current and one planned municipal water source and a tributary to the San Miguel River. The area also offers spectacular vistas and recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. Diverse and rare wildlife make their home here, including Canada lynx, black bear, elk, beaver, yellow-bellied marmot, white-tailed ptarmigan, pica, songbirds, wolverine, and bighorn sheep.
There is strong local support for congressionally-designated wilderness for the San Miguel region, from both affected counties and towns. Local residents are hopeful the Colorado delegation will soon introduce a bill reflective of this support.
