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Grape Creek

Proposals:
Grape Creek National Conservation Area
Grape Creek National Protection Area
Agencies: BLM
Agency Status: WSA
Counties: Custer and Fremont
Nearest City of Town: Canon City
Location: SW of Canon City
Description:
Grape Creek, just southwest of Canon City, includes BLM lands surrounding Grape Creek and portions of the Pike National Forest surrounding Tanner Peak. Elevations range from 6,400 to 9,600 feet. Grape Creek includes a BLM Wilderness Study Area and a Forest Service roadless area. BLM has designated some of the Grape Creek riparian zone as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
At one time, a railroad ran up Grape Creek connecting the Arkansas River and Westcliffe. This route today provides trail opportunities. Motorcyclists have been using the Forest Service trails leading up to and around Tanner Peak.
CPP proposes a combination of National Protection Area for the lands close to the creek and a National Conservation Area for much of the Forest Service land as well as BLM lands beyond the CEC proposed Wilderness. The NCA would extend to within a mile of Canon City’s western border and would encompass Temple Canyon, which is a county park traversed by a county road.