Thompson Creek Roadless Area

The Thompson Creek section of the proposed Clear Fork Divide Wilderness Area is part of a larger network of roadless land that occupies a mid-elevation swath of forested highlands that connect the Elk Range to Grand and Battlement Mesas. In addition to the largest stand of old-growth spruce/fir forest on the White River National Forest, this area contains part of what is thought to be the largest aspen forest in the world.

The gentle terrain and thick forests have historically made this an area attractive for timber extraction, as evidenced by the web of old roads around the area. The large, valuable old spruce trees in the area are always coveted by the timber industry and it is reasonable to foresee a time when attempts will be made to log them. However, the gravest threat to the Thompson Creek section is posed by oil and gas development.

Much of the backcountry west of the Crystal River and mostly north of McClure Pass has already been leased for natural gas drilling and a company that owns leases in Thompson Creek is currently beginning new production near Paonia, Colorado and has submitted a request to the United States Forest Service to drill a well on the south side of McClure Pass.

For more information on what is being done to secure protection for Thompson Creek visit:

http://www.savethompsondivide.org./

http://www.wrroadless.org/p-thompson-creek-171.html

See images of Thompson Creek in our Gallery:  http://www.ecoflight.info/gallery.html?id_cat=58