Weminuche Wilderness
Weminuche Wilderness in southwest Colorado is a vast high-altitude landscape of alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and remote backcountry, ideal for multi-day backpacking and seasonal ski routes.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Rocky Mountains |
| Subregion | Southwest Colorado |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Archuleta and San Juan counties |
| District | San Juan National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 37.4 |
| Longitude | -107.3 |
| Maps |
7:15 PM LOCAL TIMEWeminuche Wilderness is a core component of southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, blanketing roughly 1,575 km² of northern New Mexico-style highland terrain. Visitors pine for its long-distance routes, including the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail fragments, along with dozens of smaller trails and cross-country corridors. The landscape is characterized by steep glacial valleys, tarn-studded plateaus, and wild river corridors, with elevations from roughly 9,200 ft (2,800 m) at the trailheads to over 14,200 ft (4,330 m) above mountain passes and basin floors. The area contains numerous high-elevation basins, wilderness lakes, and pinnacled peaks like Uncompahgre Peak and Mount Eolus — expect difficult hikes, route-finding, and regulatory permits for overnight stays. It’s a destination for those seeking seclusion, multi-day crossings, and seasonal winter travel, with popular access points from towns like Durango, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs.
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