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The entire length of Ignacio Creek within the forest, from the headwaters in the HD Mountains to the southern boundary of the forest, is eligible for a wild designation under the Act. Ignacio Creek provides outstandingly remarkable vegetation, wildlife, and cultural values.
Ignacio Creek drains the southeastern portion of the HD Mountains, which is completely roadless and wild. Ignacio Canyon harbors some of the finest stands of old-growth ponderosa pine left in the San Juans. Numerous stands of old-growth ponderosa line Ignacio Canyon for over two miles. These trees are well over 250 years of age, with many exceeding three feet in diameter. The ponderosas’ cork-like bark glows red in late afternoon sunlight. Lush undergrowth fills the riparian zone below the ponderosas’ canopy. The trees are generally ramrod-straight and free of blemishes, indicating an extremely high-quality genetic pool. The San Juan National Forest’s old-growth inventory identifies several significant stands of ponderosa pine with old-growth scores greater than 40 located within the roadless area. The old-growth stands of Ignacio Canyon have been identified as a potential RNA, which encompasses almost its entire watershed.
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