is a scenic and highly eroded feature of the Wasatch Formation, rising from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The south face of South Shale Ridge is a multicolored escarpment of purples, oranges and
reds. Towering Douglas firs grace the west end of the area. A number of outstanding special features complement the area's rugged beauty and make it ideal for all types of primitive and unconfined recreation.
Indeed, South Shale Ridge provides some of the most unique scenery to be found on Colorado's roadless lands. Multicolored, highly eroded badlands and twisting canyons makes this area a wonder for backpackers, photographers
and horse packers.
Towering Douglas firs on the upper portions of the ridge provide shade to enjoy the views of the LaSal Mountains in Utah, the Grand Mesa, the San Juan Mountains and the Roan Cliffs.
Oddly enough, BLM excluded South Shale Ridge from Wilderness consideration in 1980 due to an alleged lack of solitude and mediocre recreational opportunities.
Of course, opportunities for solitude are plentiful in South Shale
Ridge. Outstanding recreational opportunities include hiking, photography, scenic-viewing, and back country camping. Hunting is the most popular recreational activity in the area.
To claim a lack of solitude in this
seldom visited area, with over 40 miles of twisting canyons, says much more about the persons making this claim than about the area itself.
South Shale Ridge is an amazing example of the workings of nature and provides
outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation.
And Wilderness protects much more than recreational opportunities. South Shale Ridge includes critical winter range for deer and elk and important
migratory routes between summer and winter range. Several species of rare plants grow in the roadless area. Some areas have plentiful fossils. South Shale Ridge is a remarkable wilderness resource. BLM
should manage this roadless area to preserve its many outstanding wilderness qualities. BLM should amend their management plan accordingly.
