The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness (BRCW) is located in western Colorado with a small portion extending into eastern Utah, USA, within the arid Colorado Plateau region approximately 15 miles (24 km) 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 m) above sea level along the river to 6,800 feet (2,070 m). 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 m), forming spectacular red rock 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. Mee Canyon is even more remote, and contains Arch Tower.
There are three main access points for the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness: the front country (Fruita urban-interface), the high country (Black Ridge via Glade Park) and via the Colorado River. Visitors have easy access the front country area year round while the high country and Colorado River access remain accessible only to the most dedicated visitors.
View of BRCW from the Pollock Bench trailhead
Front Countryedit
The front country area of the BRCW is located a few minutes from the town of Fruita, Colorado via State Highway 340. This area, known as the "wilderness-urban interface," is a popular destination for local residents and their dogs looking for daily exercise. The Bureau of Land Management maintains three trailheads in this area - Devils Canyon, Fruita Paleontological Area and Pollock Bench.
High Countryedit
The high country of the BRCW is accessible from the community of Glade Park, Colorado. Visitors to this area are treated to a true wilderness experience in a rough, remote land that provides outstanding opportunities for solitude. The Rattlesnake Canyon area is home to the world's second-largest concentration of natural arches (after Arches National Park).[2] Mee Canyon contains a 300-foot (91 m) deep alcove that is accessible only by way of a difficult hiking trail which requires and scrambling over many exposed ledges. Knowles and Jones Canyons offer visitors a true wilderness experience, with outstanding opportunities for solitude and a primitive and unconfined type of recreation.
Colorado Riveredit
East Rim Arch
The Colorado River bisects the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and forms the northern boundary of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness as it winds its way through Horsethief and Ruby canyons. The river itself is not a part of the wilderness, however floaters are able to hike up many of the main canyons of the area including Rattlesnake Canyon, Moore Canyon, Mee Canyon, and Knowles Canyon. The most popular put in to float this section of the river is the Loma boat launch in Loma, Colorado. Most river users take out in Westwater, Utah, although some continue on through the Class III and IV rapids of Westwater Canyon (permit required).
^ . McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
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January 01, 1970
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The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness BRCW is located in western Colorado with a small portion extending into eastern Utah USA within the arid Colorado Plateau region approximately 15 miles 24 km 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 m above sea level along the river to 6 800 feet 2 070 m 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 m forming spectacular red rock 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 Mee Canyon is even more remote and contains Arch Tower Black Ridge Canyons WildernessIUCN category Ib wilderness area Knowles CanyonLocationMesa County Colorado Grand County Utah USANearest cityGrand JunctionCoordinates39 06 19 N 108 55 50 W 39 1052605 N 108 9306622 W 39 1052605 108 9306622 1 Area75 439 acres 30 529 ha EstablishedOctober 24 2000Governing bodyU S Bureau of Land Management Vegetation in the meandering canyon bottoms includes grasses pinyon juniper cottonwood willow and box elder The upland mesas contain dense stands of pinyon and juniper with some sagebrush parks Cryptobiotic soils are well developed in the upland areas 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 of which 70 319 acres 284 57 km2 are in Colorado and 5 120 acres 20 72 km2 are in Utah It was designated by the U S Congress in 2000 and is administered by the Bureau of Land Management The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness forms the core of the 123 430 acres 500 km2 McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area Contents 1 Access 2 Front Country 3 High Country 4 Colorado River 5 See also 6 ReferencesAccess editThere are three main access points for the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness the front country Fruita urban interface the high country Black Ridge via Glade Park and via the Colorado River Visitors have easy access the front country area year round while the high country and Colorado River access remain accessible only to the most dedicated visitors nbsp View of BRCW from the Pollock Bench trailheadFront Country editThe front country area of the BRCW is located a few minutes from the town of Fruita Colorado via State Highway 340 This area known as the wilderness urban interface is a popular destination for local residents and their dogs looking for daily exercise The Bureau of Land Management maintains three trailheads in this area Devils Canyon Fruita Paleontological Area and Pollock Bench High Country editThe high country of the BRCW is accessible from the community of Glade Park Colorado Visitors to this area are treated to a true wilderness experience in a rough remote land that provides outstanding opportunities for solitude The Rattlesnake Canyon area is home to the world s second largest concentration of natural arches after Arches National Park 2 Mee Canyon contains a 300 foot 91 m deep alcove that is accessible only by way of a difficult hiking trail which requires and scrambling over many exposed ledges Knowles and Jones Canyons offer visitors a true wilderness experience with outstanding opportunities for solitude and a primitive and unconfined type of recreation Colorado River edit nbsp East Rim Arch The Colorado River bisects the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and forms the northern boundary of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness as it winds its way through Horsethief and Ruby canyons The river itself is not a part of the wilderness however floaters are able to hike up many of the main canyons of the area including Rattlesnake Canyon Moore Canyon Mee Canyon and Knowles Canyon The most popular put in to float this section of the river is the Loma boat launch in Loma Colorado Most river users take out in Westwater Utah although some continue on through the Class III and IV rapids of Westwater Canyon permit required See also editWilderness Act Rattlesnake Canyon Ruby Canyon Wilderness National Wilderness Preservation System List of U S Wilderness Areas Mee Canyon Arch TowerReferences edit Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey United States Department of the Interior Retrieved 2009 01 18 Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area Bureau of Land Management Archived from the original on 2008 08 03 Retrieved 2009 01 18 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Retrieved from https en wikipedia org 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