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Troublesome

Proposals:
Troublesome National Protection Area
Agencies:BLM and USFS
Agency Status: BLM portion is WSA; most of area is Arapaho NF administered by Routt NF
Counties: Grand and Jackson
Nearest City of Town: Kremmling
Location: west of Rocky Mtn National Park
Description:
Spanning a low spot on the Continental Divide, the Troublesome area contains the most pristine remaining valleys of Colorado’s Middle Park. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has determined that the area must remain undeveloped in order to maintain the elk population of Middle Park. Both elk and deer use the area as a calving ground, as well as for summer and winter range. Bobcat, bear, golden and bald eagles, and prairie falcons are also found here, and peregrine falcons have been spotted.
The U.S. Forest Service has allocated nearly all of Troublesome’s extensive trails system -- perhaps as much as 50 miles long -- to muscle-powered travel only. The land is more gentle than much of Colorado’s high country, so this area offers easier hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, backpacking, and ski touring. Troublesome is also fine for fishing, hunting, and nature study. National Protection Area designation would improve the economic base of recreational use for the nearby towns of Walden, Kremmling, and Hot Sulphur Springs, while offering strict protection of this beautiful area.