Hermosa Creek Wilderness

Over 90% of the wilderness is forested, and the most common vegetation type, occupying 42% of the wilderness, is subalpine forest dominated by Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. While the wilderness has experienced repeated disturbances through the years, one third of the spruce-fir forests here are old growth stands that have avoided decimating fires, disease, insect outbreaks, and logging for centuries. Below the subalpine forests are montane forests where Douglas fir is often dominant. Southwestern white pine, white fir, ponderosa pine, and Colorado blue spruce are also found. Significant stands of aspen occur in the wilderness on historically disturbed sites in both the subalpine and montane zones. Aspen stands cover 27% of the wilderness.^[6][7]

Less common in the wilderness are meadows and shrublands. Alpine tundra, dominated by grasses and forbs, is limited to only the highest elevations of Indian Trail Ridge along the western margin of the wilderness.^[6][7]

The wilderness provides habitat for mule deer and elk, both popular game animals. Other mammals include black bears, bobcats, coyotes, martens, porcupines, marmots, chickarees, and pikas. Waters in the wilderness are home to the native Colorado River cutthroat trout. Also present are two non-native, introduced species: brook trout and rainbow trout.^[6]

Travel through the wilderness is limited to those on foot and horseback. There are only two trails in the wilderness, and both follow creeks from their headwaters on the western border of the wilderness down to the eastern border of the wilderness along Hermosa Creek. The Salt Creek Trail (Forest Trail 559) is 5.6 miles (9.0 km) long and descends 2,600 feet (792 m) in elevation. The Clear Creek Trail (Forest Trail 550) is 7.2 miles (11.6 km) long and descends 2,800 feet (853 m) in elevation. Only one trailhead provides direct access to these trails. The Clear Creek Trailhead (elevation 10,180 feet (3,103 m)) allows access to the western terminus of the Clear Creek Trail. Accessing either end of the Salt Creek Trail and the eastern terminus of the Clear Creek requires hiking on popular mechanized (bicycle) and motor vehicle use trails that encircle the wilderness.^{[1][8][9][10]}