Elk Ridge

Elk Ridge forms the northern boundary of Cedar Mesa and contains the landmark geologic formation know as Bear’s Ears. Proceeding north over the ridge, the eco-zone changes with the elevation gain from pinon/juniper to alpine. Elevations of 7,500 to 8,000 feet, dictate a landscape of ponderosa pines, aspen groves, and expansive mountain meadows. Watered by 3 to 4 foot snow packs, it readily supports resident elk and mule deer herds, black bear, mountain lions, coyotes, and smaller species common to this zone. From the hip of this high ridge, a number of inviting side canyons run quickly into the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area. The underlying sandstone geology begins to reveal itself again as one descends, but here the canyons are wider and old growth ponderosa and aspens prosper. Once again the remnants of 15,000 years of human history reveal themselves to the observant hiker. From paleo-Indian hunters to modern cowboys, all human activity has been and still is dictated by the land. It is here pre-columbian Indians had their summer hunting camps and farms. Just as today’s visitors seek these elevations to avoid the summer heat of the lower mesa, the ancients came here to obtain meat for their winter camps or harvest a late summer crop to offset potential losses from floods or drouths common at lower elevations. Because the area was occupied for only a short part of the year, sites are less frequent, but that heightens the uniqueness and increases the rewards of the visit.

970-667-7411 ~ buckhorn@llamapack.com

Home | Services | Price List | Llamas for Sale | Clothing & Equipment | Company Info
©1997-2008 Buckhorn Llama Co. Inc. All rights reserved..