The outstandingly remarkable wildlife values include the presence of lynx and the valley’s role as vital habitat as an elk migration corridor. The river corridor provides outstandingly remarkable geologic features because of the imposing cliff features, variety of terrain, and colorful volcanic deposits. The original wagon route across the San Juan Mountains via Elwood Pass traversed the East Fork Valley, creating a portion of the “Navajo Trail,” contributing to the river’s outstandingly remarkable cultural values.

The East Fork is entirely free of water diversions. Previously, private owners modified a portion of the river channel on the private lands in the East Fork Valley, but subsequent restoration efforts have returned the channel to its previous course. The East Fork is by all accounts one of the San Juan Mountains’ most extraordinary valleys.