Powderhorn Wilderness is located about 10 miles northeast of
Lake City and occupies some 62,250 acres. The wilderness is
approximately 23% National Forest and 77% BLM. Elevations vary
from 8,699' in the north to 12,600' in the south. A significant
portion of the upper plateaus is above 12,000'. This is the
northern edge of the San Juan Mountains, where the mountains
fade down into the sagebrush meadows and fish-filled lakes of
the Gunnison Basin. The Cannibal and Calf Creek Plateaus are
among the largest expanses of flat and undisturbed alpine tundra
in the lower 48 states. With the lack of tree cover on the upper
plateaus, the views reach as far as the San Juan, Sawatch and
Elk Mountains. The western and northern slopes of Powderhorn
Wilderness are significantly steeper than the southern and
eastern slopes. The upper plateau is also relatively flat with
wide, shallow valleys and a lot of running water. The stands of
fir, spruce, aspen, and pine that blanket the lower reaches of
this countryside are roamed by