Browns Canyon Proposed Wilderness

The Wilderness Land Trust purchased the property is known as the Eddie C. Lode in 2006. This nine-acre seasonal cabin site is located east of the Arkansas River and north of Salida within the Pike & San Isabel National Forests. The property can be accessed by road during the summer from the town of Turret.  It was the only private property on this last stretch of seasonal unimproved road.

“The Browns Canyon proposed wilderness is an opportunity to preserve relatively low elevation habitat in Colorado as wilderness, which is underrepresented habitat type in the National Wilderness Preservation System” said Reid Haughey, President of The Wilderness Land Trust. “By purchasing the Eddie C. Lode and transferring it to the Forest Service we are ensuring that it will never be developed in a way that detracts from the wilderness experience and access for visitors.”

The protected nine-acre parcel in Browns Canyon is dominated by pinyon-juniper forests.  The proposed wilderness is an important wintering ground for deer and elk.  Bighorn sheep were successfully reintroduced into the Canyon in the 1980’s.  Mountain lions, black bears, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, pine martens, and many species of raptors also inhabit the area.  The Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas River is known for its whitewater recreation opportunities and is most boated stretch of the river.  Hiking and fishing are also popular in the Canyon.

Past legislation proposed to designate the Browns Canyon wilderness originally did not include the portion of the National Forest that contained the nine acres of private land.  Now that The Wilderness Land Trust has transferred the Eddie C Lode to Federal ownership, the proponents of the proposed wilderness legislation have the option of including the area, including these additional nine acres.   The area is dominated by the geologic feature known as “The Reef”.

Private lands within designated wilderness areas retain their historic development rights, including road building and extending utilities - a private cabin was on the Eddie C Lode. By acquiring this parcel and transferring it to the Forest Service, we will ensure that this and other similar parcels are not developed but instead stay in their wild and primitive condition.