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We’d love to hear from you!

Phone
206.397.5240

Email
brad@wildernesslandtrust.org

Mailing Address:
The Wilderness Land Trust
PO Box 881
Helena, MT  59624
Fax: 970.963.6067

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A Tale of Two Emerald Lakes- The Trust recently co A Tale of Two Emerald Lakes- The Trust recently completed the transfer of a 7.5-acre property on the slopes above Emerald Lake in the heart of Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness. You may have heard of Emerald Lake as a popular backpacking destination in the Weminuche Wilderness. If you have, it’s almost certainly another Emerald Lake. Somewhat confusingly there are two named Emerald Lakes in the wilderness area, and while both are accurately named for their emerald green waters, they are quite different. The Emerald Lake you may know is an hour’s drive and ten-mile hike from the small city of Durango. Sitting at 10,000 feet it is the third largest natural lake in Colorado and attracts horsepackers and backpackers of all kinds. 

The Emerald Lake of the Trust’s recent transfer is some 13 miles west of the popular Emerald Lake and is 3% of the size. This Emerald Lake sits just above treeline at 11,300 feet and is surrounded by fragile alpine tundra. It’s about a mile and 1,500 ft climb through a dense drainage from the nearest trail and attracts very few and only the most intrepid of wilderness visitors. Alpine lakes like this serve as important biodiversity hotspots in the harsh high-elevation environment.

While very different, both Emerald Lakes play important roles in our national wilderness landscape. We need wild places where families can go to unplug and explore together, just as we need wild places void of popular trails and campsites where wildlife can move unencumbered by human presence.
[Read more through the link in bio!]
📷: Visit Durango
Come along on a virtual site visit to the Kootznoo Come along on a virtual site visit to the Kootznoowoo and Chick River Wilderness Areas in Alaska to learn more about the Trust’s work to protect one of America’s most important forests.
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THE WILDERNESS LAND TRUST
PO BOX 881
HELENA, MT 59624

PHONE: 206.397.5240

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