Aerial view of areas proposed for protection under Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act (photos)
cdillmann@vaildaily.com.
The Sawatch Mountain Range and part of the Holy Cross Wilderness area during a flight to observe proposed new wilderness areas on Tuesday, May 15. The flight was chartered by the nonprofit EcoFlight, which promotes conservation through tours in the air. The additions are part of the proposed Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act. Additional wilderness protections on the Front and Ten Mile ranges are also designated as part of the act.
Chris Dillmann | cdillmann@vaildaily.com
Looking at the proposed new wilderness section called Spraddle Creek, which would be added to the Eagles Nest Wilderness area north of Vail if the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act is passed in Congress. This section of wilderness would come right down to Vail and would protect migrating animals at lower elevations.
Chris Dillmann | cdillmann@vaildaily.com
Camp Hale along U.S. Highway 24 between Red Cliff and Leadville, as seen from EcoFlight on Tuesday, May 15. If Congress passes the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act, the former World War II training site will be the first National Historic Landscape, meaning all recreation activities could continue as they are now but no disturbances to the surrounding land, such as mining or development, would ever take place.
Chris Dillmann | cdillmann@vaildaily.com
Mount of the Holy Cross, Eagle County's only 14er.
Chris Dillmann | cdillmann@vaildaily.com
Vail from the air shows how human development butts up to wilderness areas in the Gore Range. Outdoor recreation generates $28 billion each year in consumer spending in Colorado. The Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate in January, would add 42,049 acres of wilderness area to Eagle County and another 56,572 acres in Summit County.
Chris Dillmann | cdillmann@vaildaily.com
EcoFlight excursion on Tuesday, May 15, provides bird’s eye view of areas proposed for protection under Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.
