Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. ; wey acne STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE "MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION No. 39 = ad WASHINGTON, D. C. JANUARY 1929 RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST COLORADO PREPARED BY THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT OF THE FOREST SERVICE F~-156259 SOUTH CLEAR CREEK FALLS UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON 1929 ” ee wee iy a a RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO Along the headwaters of the Rio Grande del Norte, “ Great River of the North,” lies a rugged country favored with an abundance of natural wealth. Many stockmen are dependent upon it for summer range. Farmers know it to be the source from which flow the waters that make the San Luis Valley a prosperous community. Tourists call it scenic. Fishermen know it as a place for a sure catch. And foresters are managing there a valuable stand of timber. Such is the Rio Grande National Forest, risen to fmportance out of the ashes of one of Colorado’s early mining flares. When “It was day all day Fig. 1—Summer home on Rio Conejos F-221062 in the daytime and there was no night in Creede” the rich yields of ore and the business of mining held men’s attention to the exclusion of all else, but a pause in the-production of minerals has revealed other wealth. THE NATIONAL FOREST 2S Se ee ee eee ea acres__ 1, 135, 764 lS eS ei eg oe See ee board feet__ 2, 000, 000, 000 _ oy sheep and cattle grazed__ 220, 000 ce a ee ee miles__ 600 IE eee aan See ne ee ee i oe’ 150 _ Le SR REE ES ES RE Soe Oe ened eas eee i oe 1, 200 The Rio Grande National Forest is a storehouse of great natural wealth. It is an important economic factor in the welfare of sur- rounding local communities. It is a public asset in which everyone of its users should have a personal interest. 16253291 % i - : 2 MISC. PUBLICATION 39, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Timber production and watershed protection are of first im- portance in the administration of the forest, but management of grazing lands and the development of the recreational resources are also important. Recreational uses are free, except where permits for summer homes or lodges are desired. A charge is made for permits for summer homes and other special uses, for grazing privileges, and for timber. Of the annual income derived from the forest 35 per cent is spent — locally—25 per cent through a cash fund returned to the counties — within the forest for roads and schools, and 10 per cent through the — development by the Forest Service of roads and trails within the — forest. In addition, community development is furthered by the att Ue ie De ae gee ed aati aael e aA F-176358 Fic. 2.—At the crest of the Continental Divide, Wolf Creek Pass Highway large amounts spent from the regular Federal forest road appropri- ation for the building of roads within and adjacent to the forest for the purpose of making the natural resources more accessible and improving the means of forest protection. THE TIMBER CROP The Rio Grande National Forest may be regarded as a large diversified farm, the main products of which are ‘timber and forage crops. The annual crop of timber is represented by the total annual growth of all the trees, or growing stock. In any one year the crop is taken from only a part of the forest. Each part of the forest is cut over in turn and is then left to accumulate a new crop. Operations are confined to the cutting of ripe or mature trees, and the weeding out of he ae A RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO 3 those that are overmature, diseased, or defective. This leaves a stand of thrifty immature trees, the basic growing stock, free from competition and in a condition favorable for increased growth, the production of seed, and the perpetuation of the stand. The annual growth of timber at this time amounts to about 20,000,- 000 board feet, and an annual crop equal to that amount can be F-186tst Fic. 3.—Making the finished product of a stabilized industry removed in the form of mature trees without jeopardizing the future forests or lessening the total stand. Present local demand for timber, however, does not warrant harvesting any considerable part of the annual growth, and most of the accumulation is being “stored on the stump,” where it will be safe from decay for many years. F-210546 Fic. 4.—The first step in marketing timber—a tree marked for removal TREES OF THE RIO GRANDE? Tree growth on the Rio Grande Forest is of two general types: Coniferous or evergreen, and broadleaf or deciduous. *This list is for popular use in identifying the trees found on the Rio Grande Forest and does not attempt to give detailed botanical distinctions. 4 MISC. PUBLICATION 39, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE ™ CONIFERS PINES The four kinds of pines found on the Rio Grande Forest always have long, needle-shaped leaves in clusters of from two to five. The cones are woody and hang from the limbs. Western yellow pine—wWestern yellow pine is found at lower elevations. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long, deep green, usually two in a cluster but often in threes, and in tufts at the ends of the branches. Cones 3 to 5 inches long, oval; usually found near end of branches. Cone scales armed with spines. Limber pine.—Limber pine is sometimes erroneously called pifion or nut pine. Found in foothills and also in rocky places in high mountains. Leaves dark green, always in clusters of five, 144 to 3 inches long. Cones 3 to 5 inches long, with seeds about one-third inch in length. Cone scales smooth. Bark light gray or silvery white, except on old trunks, which are blackish brown. Pinon.—Piion pine is confined to the foothills. Needles three-fourths to 1% inches long, in clusters of two and rarely of three. Cones 1144 inches long and almost as broad. Seeds are the common pifion nuts of trade. Bristlecone pine.—Bristlecone pine is found at higher elevations, usually © close to timber line. Needles 1 to 2 inches long, always in clusters of five, and covered with tiny specks of pitch. Cones 3 to 4 inches long with the scales armed with a slender bristle. SPRUCES Spruces are of two kinds. Both have short, square, single leaves, which easily roll between the fingers. Crowns have a whitish or aa cast. Cones are not woody but fibrous and hang from the ranches. Engelmann spruce.—The small branches of Engelmann spruce are covered with soft, short hairs. Leaves less rigid and sharply pointed than those of blue spruce; dark biue, green, or pale steel blue. Cones 1 to 2 inches long. Bark is dark, reddish brown, and separates in the form of small rounded scales. Blue spruce.—The small branches of blue spruce are always smooth. Leaves stiff and with sharp points. The blue spruce can be told from Engelmann spruce by grasping the tip of a branch and noting the spinelike stiff leaves. Cones 2 to 3 inches long. Bark on old trunk gray, divided lengthwise into ridges. FIRS Firs are of two kinds. Alpine fir—Alpine fir has flat leaves, 1 to 13%, inches long, without any stem where they join branches. Cones standing straight up on branches, 2% to 4 inches long, dark purple. In the fall the cones fall to pieces and leave only a spike on the branch. White fir—wWhite fir is found at the lower elevations with western yellow pine and Douglas fir. Leaves single, flat, 2 to 3 inches long, soft. Cones 3 to 5 inches long, standing straight up on branches. Bark on old trees 5 to 6 inches thick, deeply divided into broad, rounded ridges broken on the surface into irregularly shaped platelike scales. JUNIPERS OR CEDARS Junipers or cedars are of two kinds, one a small tree and the other a shrub. Seed in berries, not cones. Rocky Mountain red cedar.—Rocky Mountain red cedar has scale-like pointed leaves, very small, that cover the slender, four-sided twigs in four rows .of alter- nately opposite pairs; stiff branches. Mature berries one-fourth inch in diameter, bluish or black, covered with a whitish bloom. Dwarf juniper—Dwarf juniper is always a shrub, 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves in groups of three, spearate on branches, sharp pointed. Branches not stiff. = “ware wv AE eyere. * rites RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO 5 DOUGLAS FIR There is one kind only of Douglas fir. It has flat leaves, three- quarters to 114 inches long, apparently with a short stem joining them to branches. The cones hang down on long, stout stems, 2 to 4 inches long, with 3-pronged bracts protruding from between the cone scales. BROADLEAF TREES ASPEN Aspen has flat, nearly heart-shaped leaves about 2 inches across that tremble characteristically in a breeze. Bark whitish or very pale green, smooth with black scars where branches have dropped off. Trees rarely more than 20 feet high. (Commonly called quaking aspen or quaking asp locally.) NARROW-LEAF COTTONWOOD Narrow-leaf cottonwood is usually a tall tree, 40 to 60 feet high. Bark dark gray, heavily ridged half or two-thirds of the way up the tree; above that smooth, pale green. Leaves one-fourth to one-half inch wide by 2 to 3 inches long, very similar to willow leaves. ~~. F=-154759 Fic. 5.—Excellent summer range for San Luis Valley herds bs ALDER Alder is found along and overhanging the streams, usually in clumps, several trees growing from the same root, frequently 4 to 6 inches in diameter and 15 to 25 feet high. Leaves large and sharply double-toothed. Matured seed- bearing fruit noticeable in winter. THE FORAGE CROP Grasses and weeds suitable for forage are found in many of the timber stands and in the parks and large open areas above timber line. Wild game has always roamed over these natural pastures, but they require only a small part of the available growth. The bulk of the forage is available for domestic stock. The grazing of livestock is, in general, a secondary use on the national forests, but at this time it is the largest activity on the Rio Zo Si/verfron 0 CHE T Olam 0 Wester) 5S/ope ) ws ee Loke Crty Spring Cr@Pass co Qh rr —- Be BRISTOL en of Zie. 4 i ie 12300 tedra tS ‘ South River” /} > PK. i oman chenin stint £4 gage RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST COLORADO R.Y. STUART, FORESTER Scale 2 3 # sMiles LEGEND maces Main motor highways —— Other motor roads =a PS ae National forest boundary == == Adjacent national forest boundary Supervisors headquarters Ranger stations @ Camp grounds State highway numbers | == TIONAL On ES Ta | Bowers Pk. a e.; ='2300 | ae N a J —=—s : \ “Boot Mt. Fe To Denver via SoC 8 302171. 4/0 CRAY D Es Li SS ae = DEL NORTE = _—— ~~ ee ‘= = ost LO SoUTH FORK [to } 7 < . | Pictured ROCKS 3x4 pock -O-< Y = S Z ae \_ > Summitville. “Jasper > OSS Stunner %=Conejos 13180 \Pk. \ QX Trout Lodge XQ — = f LAND GRA NAF <6 ©/0% 653 Verce V2 Chame NEW MEXICO SS Jo Denver V9 SAA 2 J00 17. Gi Capulin ANTONITO E | _ 70 Santete via T205 SC.128M Alamosa CB M7. © wae Main motor highways ==— Other motor roads = higalls maxes National Forest boundary me me Adjacent national forest boundary Supervisors headquarters # Ranger stations @ Camp grounds State highway numbers LAND GRANT fe oc.0. CH BT OureA te, oN gem TH On Ny ALL FOcR Es tees | San Cristobe/ ? Western Slope ° | Lake via Lake City \ N Bowers Pk. a . fe: Spring Cr’ puss _ | Ns 10901 Fe ead ee ni D F [149] 9 « Pk * Boot Mt. id N a” GU cS * IN \\ = & i al e: bs area CONTINENTAL \ eS a ed s\ | a 4 N 2A 499 a ; Q I FRc RECN Fan Me oe oe les ae P58 ¢ ( @\CREEDE <7 8 > a ° es Fahnestoc 2 Ss 4 K8, Sy : G / e \\Fullington : mS stony \\ An ne mei cr Q = Bt iced eres CY Biome §\Pass x I 3740 / neb-Biisron V4 ~— AY "13200 He A ‘ NS \. Qf \ 09 tb) SANTA MARIA Sy Tae xy aaa y yk suet ther vs, eee SE a ‘8 Xe { ‘ Owetheri . SU Yas t/ ~ ow Antelope Sprs. otf socing SS \ } To Denver LV~ o, : ae (Poy Amide Legion OMY . via 1 SA et ed GL as ( i Ys “at EBmp Na Al2dNoecew SS DLE, XR ES | ict Fe) < ny \ Spar City NS 4 e en 3 “ iS) pee) ogee i < : a af xf \ / & 5 {sonic ee NOS CRAnor NS onl ee an Sa eC} | take Cae Al iis eee Ss DEL NORTE ¥\3830" LOE fi < S A os G ry S peg Humphre 7 » 4 Wen ee ee oe a oO 1 A ! Poe \ as u (ONE ie Ds arama CNet, gel eet de _ your : é 1 a ave By s a7 ee “7 9 g ee lout Cr @g7 —_ ; Q ae SS ie me y Wy Ow, C } Ny / ‘ id Fig! SOUTH FORK 8 VAM of y ARs . i \. = . ! vt Ly fe ere oa pe x ig we N x KK I 8 yee DeckS= BS A S SA N vy eo \ Sg et ee ee 0 : 2 Del Norte e U J 12300 ! Abi OY ; QQ aWwPk. MONTE VISTA U A N c Re Piedra | South River”) ie a, 4 Noe NN e230 4 > O Simm, PK Rhee PK BI45 > W Zan ‘ \u2727 EME. pis 1260 I eases 5 OT ee Np if ae We Oy, f fo) : So e * ( p 7 Ss +. Montezuma .»¢/' ea “Seles = RIO GRANDE Soe silt, RS A Summit Pks Ss a6 NSS NATIONAL FOREST °c: S COLORADO , coe R.Y. STUART, FORESTER i AJARA RESVR. 12) Es yi “ Scale / i o 1 2 3 4 §Miles / J LEGEND Alamosa 28 Mn. ANTONITO & =< @©66/ofess Verve via Chama NEW MEXICO 7o Sante ke via Taos SC.1Z8!MN 8 MISC. PUBLICATION 39, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Grande. The 220,000 head of sheep and cattle with their offspring which are supported by the forage of this national forest represent an investment of nearly $5,000,000. This is in addition to the in- vestment in ranch property required for carrying on the livestock business. The efficient handling of the summer range is in itself a large © enterprise. The range must be used to the fullest extent, and at the same time its future capacity must not be endangered by overgrazing. Neither must grazing be allowed to injure forest reproduction. The time of grazing and the number of stock using the range must be limited in order to insure ample feed during unfavorable as well as favorable years. Stock should not be turned on the range until ~ ~ "> ate es eG Ps “> = F-189685 Fic. 6.—A contented herd on luxuriant summer feed the forage plants have had a chance to get “set,” and the number of stock should be kept down so that from 10 to 20 per cent of the palatable species will be left to mature and produce seed. Experiments in range management are carried on constantly by the Forest Service, and improved methods are applied as fast as they are proved worth while and can be put into operation. Because of the limited amount of national-forest range it is very important that the utmost care be given to its use and protection. GAME Deer, elk, mountain sheep, bear, lion, bobcats, blue and willow grouse, ptarmigan, duck, and many other kinds of game range on the Rio Grande. It is the policy of the Forest Service in handling the grazing of domestic livestock and all other uses of the forest to reserve adequate range for these wild animals, many of which are a distinct asset in mountain country. The game naturally use parts of the forest which can not be used efficiently for domestic stock. Furthermore, the relatively small amount of wild game which now RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO 9 remains makes the conflict with domestic stock practically negligible. The killing off of lions and bobcats, as well as individual outlaw bears, is encouraged. State laws give limited protection to deer, Fic. 8.—Under protection elk are increasing rapidly grouse, ducks, and other game, permitting hunting only during a specified open season. Elk and mountain sheep are protected the year around. No hunting is permitted without a State license. 10 MISC. PUBLICATION 39, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE WATERSHED PROTECTION Watershed protection is one of the primary purposes for which the national forests are maintained. Irrigation is the keystone of the prosperity of the San Luis Valley, and most of the water for this purpose comes from the Rio Grande National Forest. In addition, the welfare of a large territory in southwestern United States and northern Mexico depends upon the waters of the Rio Grande, and the effects of overgrazing, fire, or destructive logging along the headwaters of this river, all of which are within the Rio Grande Na- tional Forest, would be felt far beyond the limits of the forest. Using only so much timber and forage as is grown each year helps to estab- lish and maintain on the forest those conditions necessary to prevent erosion on the watershed. F-28465-A Fic. 9.—‘* Parade of the ghosts,’ Wheeler National Monument WHEELER NATIONAL MONUMENT The Wheeler National Monument, a grotesquely eroded geological feature within the Rio Grande Forest, has been set aside by presi- dential proclamation and named in honor of George Wheeler, United States Engineers. Ages ago lava outpourings piled up at this spot and the elements have worn them into figures of exceptional beauty. The monument may be reached by a trip of 12 miles over a Forest Service trail. Saddle horses may be hired at Creede, and the trail leads across the face of Mammoth Mountain (11,042 feet), giving a superb view of the upper Rio Grande country and of Creede with its adjacent mining activities. ‘ RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO 11 At the monument are a shelter cabin, fireplace, and the usual sani- tation improvements, together with a small pasture for saddle and pack stock. FM20315-A Fic. 10.—Rock Creek ranger station FIRE Fire is always a menace to the forest. Seventy-five per cent of the forest fires are man-caused and, therefore, are preventable. This places a direct responsibility on the shoulders of every user of the F-178931 Fic. 11.—Forest fires leave only monuments to a wasted resource national forests. Unnecessary fires must be avoided. The Forest Service, with the cooperation of local residents, maintains an effi- cient fire protection organization to take care of lightning fires, 12 MISC. PUBLICATION 39, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE which can not be prevented. But the Federal Government and local men and women can not trail careless tourists in order to make the forests safe. INFORMATION The headquarters of the Rio Grande National Forest is in Monte Vista, Colo., and additional information or assistance may be ob- tained by writing the forest supervisor there or by getting in touch with one of the forest rangers, who are located at various points throughout the forest. SIX RULES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION 1. Purification—Mountain streams will not purify themselves in a few hundred feet. Boil or chlorinate all suspected water. 7 zy <, nll Ce S € 5 I “s . - A * er 7. = - SA ee PES : Fie. 12.—A Continental Divide trail F-238559-A 2. Garbage—Burn or bury all garbage, papers, tin cans, and old clothes. 3. Hacretions—Bury a foot deep all human excrement at least 200 feet from streams, lakes, or springs. 4. Washings—Do not wash soiled clothing, utensils, or bodies in streams, lakes, or springs. Use a container and throw dirty water on the ground away from the water supply. 5. Zodets——Use public toilets where available. They are properly located. Toilets should be at least 100 feet from streams and not in gulches. 6. Obeying laws.—Observe rules and endeavor to have others do the same. National and State laws impose heavy penalties for health- law violations. Report all violations or insanitary conditions (in- cluding dead animals) to the nearest health officer or United States Forest Service officer. RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO ina SIX RULES FOR PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES 1. Matches—Be sure your match is out. Break it in two before you throw it away. 2. Tobacco.—Be certain that pipe ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs are dead before throwing them away. Never throw them into _ brush, leaves, or needles. 3. Making camp.—Before building a fire scrape away all inflam- _ mable material from a spot 5 feet in diameter. Dig a hole in the center and in it build your camp fire. Keep it small. Never build a _ fire against trees or logs or near brush. _ 4, Breaking camp.—Never break camp until your fire is out—dead out. — 5. Brush burning—Never burn slash or brush in windy weather or while there is the shghtest danger that the fire will get away. 6. How to put out a camp fire-—Stir the coals while soaking them with water. Turn small sticks and drench both sides. Wet the ground around the fire. Be sure the last spark is dead. eee sreehr ny m KS Jered Mapa era ne P arsine’ diye inal: 4 Op th oNongre™ unc rey Ae es pom bepet b- ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS U.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C. AT 5 CENTS PER COPY Vv