Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness

Snuggled in between the more spectacular Colorado Wildernesses of Holy Cross on the north, Maroon Bells-Snowmass on the west, and Collegiate Peaks on the south, Hunter-Fryingpan lies all but forgotten. Indeed, even the many tortured peaks of the Williams Mountains you will find unnamed. The Wilderness rises to the Continental Divide, sharing its eastern border and the divide with Mount Massive Wilderness; the two are one geographically speaking, and almost became one legislatively. Holding the headwaters of Hunter Creek and the Fryingpan River, many streams in this area provide excellent habitat for large numbers of trout. Forests of aspen in the lower elevations, and spruce and fir higher up, are thick and dark, and open on alpine tundra dappled colorfully with summer wildflowers. A rich forest of 8,300 acres along Spruce Creek on the northwest side was added to the original Wilderness in 1993. In the silence of this Wilderness you will probably see wildlife including elk, mule deer, and secretive smaller fur-bearing animals. About 65 miles of trail cross the area, climbing up drainages into the Williams Mountains. The Lost Man Trail up Lost Man Creek crosses South Fork Pass and continues down the South Fork of the Fryingpan River, about 10 miles, providing access to the heart of the Wilderness. Many opportunities for solitude exist here. Group size is limited to 15 people, or 25 people and stock combined with no more than 15 people. Campfires are prohibited within a quarter mile of any lake or treeline, above treeline, and within 100 feet of any stream or trail, and camping is prohibited within 100 feet of any lake, stream, trail, or wilderness restoration site. Caching gear for longer than 72 hours is prohibited, and dogs must be under physical or voice control at all times.