Contact Information
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874
The San Juan National Forest is a natural and cultural oasis that nourishes the hiker, historian, fisherman, anthropologist, kayaker, mountain biker, and skier alike. The diverse terrain, which features alpine lakes, cataracts, canyons, and waterfalls, is suitable for casual hiking, yet also offers serious mountain climbers the challenge of several 14,000-foot peaks in the Needle Mountains - - one of the roughest ranges in the United States. In 1994, the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forest were combined, effectively joining the western and eastern slopes of the Continental Divide into a single, giant outdoor adventure playground of 4 million acres. Much of the forest holdings are above timberline, where alpine meadows and high spruce stands intersperse with large areas of sharp, bold, granite extrusions, rock slides and barren areas. Foreboding though it may be, the terrain in San Juan National Forest supports a wide array of animals, including larger animals such as black bear, elk, mule deer, cougar, and bighorn sheep. Smaller critters such as snowshoe hare, pika, badger, marmot, marten, porcupine, and squirrels may also be observed. Expert kayakers descend the turbulent tributaries of the San Juan River - - the Spaniards appropriately deemed one such river El Rio de Las Animas Perdidas - - the River of Lost Souls. Another tributary was named El Rio de la Piedra Parada - - The River of the Rock Wall North of Durango, skiers and snowboarders can cascade down the powder slopes of the Purgatory Ski Area. The ski resort offers 40 miles of groomed trails and plenty of slopeside lodging. Just outside Durango, hikers can embark on the 469-mile journey to Denver along the Colorado Trail.
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