Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest

Infobox_protected_area
name = Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest
iucn_category = VI

---

caption =
locator_x = 92
locator_y = 62
location = Wyoming-Colorado, USA
nearest_city = Cheyenne, WY
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 35
lat_seconds = 0
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 106
long_minutes = 13
long_seconds = 0
long_direction = W
area = 2,769,949 acres (11,209.59 km²)
established = 1902
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Forest Service

Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest is the official title to a U.S. Forest Service managed area extending over 2,769,949 acres (4,328.05 sq mi, or 11,209.59 km²) [ [http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/lar/2007/TABLE_6.htm Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District and County] - United States Forest Service - September 30, 2007] in the states of Wyoming and Colorado, United States. What were once three separate areas, Medicine Bow National Forest, Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland were administratively combined in 1995 due to similarity of the resources, proximity to each other and for administrative purposes.The Medicine Bow National Forest section (1,096,891 acres) is located in southeastern Wyoming and was originally created as a forest reserve in 1902. Named after the Native American powwows in which numerous tribes would congregate here in search of mountain mahogany, which was an excellent wood for the manufacturing of bows, and to perform rituals hoped to cure diseases and thus make "good medicine". Areas of interest include the Snowy Range where the highest peak is Medicine Bow Peak at 12,013 feet (3,661 m) and is visible from Snowy Range Pass, 10,847 ft (3,300 m), on Wyoming highway 130. The Encampment River, Huston Park, Savage Run and Platte River Wildernesses are all located within the Medicine Bow portion of the National Forest. The Vedauwoos are located immediately north of Interstate 80 and consist of numerous rock outcroppings popular with rock climbers. In descending order of land area the forest is located in Carbon, Albany, Converse, Natrona, and Platte counties. There are local ranger district offices located in Laramie and Saratoga.

Routt National Forest lands (1,125,438 acres) are located in northwestern Colorado. The Steamboat Ski Resort is located in the forest, on Mount Werner. The forest is named after John Routt, the first Governor of Colorado. It was established in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The forest encompasses 1,126,346 acres (4,558 km²). The Continental Divide splits the forest in half, with the east part drained by the North Platte River and the west drained by the Yampa River. Routt National Forest contains four wilderness areas inside it, including Mount Zirkel, Flat Tops, Sarvis Creek, and Never Summer. In descending order of land area the forest is located in Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Grand, Moffat, and Garfield counties. There are local ranger district offices located in Steamboat Springs, Walden, and Yampa.

Thunder Basin National Grassland (547,620 acres) is located in northeastern Wyoming and consists primarily of leased lands to cattle interests. In descending order of land area the grassland is located in Weston, Converse, Campbell, Niobrara, and Crook counties. There are local ranger district offices located in Douglas.

The forest headquarters is in Laramie, Wyoming.

References

External links

*

Further reading

*Bankey, V., S.J. Soulliere, and M.I. Toth, eds. (2000). "Mineral resource potential and geology of the Routt National Forest and the Middle Park Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado" [U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1610] . Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.