McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Location | Mesa County, Colorado / Grand County, Utah, USA |
Nearest city | Grand Junction |
Coordinates | 39°06′19″N 108°55′50″W / 39.10526°N 108.93066°W |
Area | 123,400 acres (499 km2) |
Established | 2000 |
Governing body | U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
www |
The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA) is a 123,400-acre (499 km2) National Conservation Area located in Mesa County, west of Grand Junction, Colorado. The MCNCA has rugged sandstone canyons, natural arches, spires, and alcoves carved into the Colorado Plateau, through which runs a 24-mile (39 km) stretch of the Colorado River. Included in the MCNCA is the 75,500-acre (306 km2) Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness (BRCW) with 5,200 acres (21 km2) extending into eastern Grand County, Utah at the MCNCA's western boundary.
The MCNCA is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and was officially designated on October 24, 2000, when the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Act of 2000 became Public Law 106-353. The NCA was renamed after Congressman Scott McInnis on January 1, 2005.
McInnis Canyons NCA has a variety of resources and recreation opportunities resulting in users with diverse interests, including hiking, biking, float boating, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife watching, backpacking, camping, and grazing resources; as well as geological, paleontological and scientific sites.
McInnis Canyons NCA is also home to the Rattlesnake Arches. This area houses the highest concentration of naturally occurring arches in Colorado, and even the second most in the world, behind Arches National Park. It is located in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and comprises sandstone formations, and is not able to be reached by vehicle.[1]
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Transcription
Welcome to the Bureau of Land Management's McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, or NCA, is west of Grand Junction, Colorado. McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, or NCA, is west of Grand Junction, Colorado. Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness lies at the center of the NCA. Both areas are managed by the BLM Grand Junction Field Office. The landscape that makes up the NCA is part of the Uncompahgre Plateau, which rises above the Grand Valley of western Colorado. The landscape that makes up the NCA is part of the Uncompahgre Plateau, which rises above the Grand Valley of western Colorado. Rugged sandstone canyons lead to the Colorado River. Rugged sandstone canyons lead to the Colorado River. Geology, erosion and time have resulted in a unique mix of colorful cliffs, deep canyons and sculpted arches. Geology, erosion and time have resulted in a unique mix of colorful cliffs, deep canyons and sculpted arches. Visitors will find a remote, rugged backcountry experience in a fragile and beautiful desert environment. Visitors will find a remote, rugged backcountry experience in a fragile and beautiful desert environment. Visitors will find a remote, rugged backcountry experience in a fragile and beautiful desert environment. Visitors will find a remote, rugged backcountry experience in a fragile and beautiful desert environment. You can enjoy a variety of activities in the NCA, such as: boating and fishing the Colorado River hunting for mule deer, elk, mountain lion and waterfowl hunting for mule deer, elk, mountain lion and waterfowl off-highway vehicle use fossil viewing sightseeing photography hiking horseback riding mountain biking and dispersed camping Meandering through the NCA and along the northern edge of the Wilderness is the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. Meandering through the NCA and along the northern edge of the Wilderness is the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. This 25-mile stretch of flat water takes boaters from Loma, Colorado to Westwater, Utah. This 25-mile stretch of flat water takes boaters from Loma, Colorado to Westwater, Utah. It offers class I and II rapids, except during high water, when boating is more challenging. Boaters travel through red rock canyons and have many day-hike opportunities. Boaters travel through red rock canyons and have many day-hike opportunities. Boaters travel through red rock canyons and have many day-hike opportunities. The float takes between 8 and 15 hours, so plan ahead by signing in at the Loma register box to indicate where you will camp. The float takes between 8 and 15 hours, so plan ahead by signing in at the Loma register box to indicate where you will camp. Please pack out waste, only camp in designated sites and bring your own water. Please pack out waste, only camp in designated sites and bring your own water. Please pack out waste, only camp in designated sites and bring your own water. Hiking and horseback riding are great ways to explore the Wilderness. From the Colorado River, you have access to three spectacular canyon hikes. Rattlesnake Canyon has an entrance 3 miles below the Loma put-in, and the Mee and Knowles Canyons offer camping and hiking spots from the river. Hikers may also enjoy the Trail Through Time, McDonald Creek and Rabbit's Ear trails. These trails are outside the Wilderness, but within the NCA. These trails are outside the Wilderness, but within the NCA. Some trails have seasonal closures to protect the environment and the plants and animals that depend on it, Some trails have seasonal closures to protect the environment and the plants and animals that depend on it, so check with the Grand Junction Field Office before you go. If wheeled recreation is more your speed, there's the 20,000-acre Rabbit Valley area 26 miles west of Grand Junction. If wheeled recreation is more your speed, there's the 20,000-acre Rabbit Valley area 26 miles west of Grand Junction. If wheeled recreation is more your speed, there's the 20,000-acre Rabbit Valley area 26 miles west of Grand Junction. Visitors will find easy ATV and four-wheel drive roads or 8 challenging single-track motorcycle trails. Visitors will find easy ATV and four-wheel drive roads or 8 challenging single-track motorcycle trails. The area includes a challenging rim trail and a practice course for beginners. Mountain biking and camping are also popular activities in Rabbit Valley. 12 miles west of Grand Junction, you'll find world-class mountain biking opportunities at Mack Ridge, with six loops to test riders' skills. 12 miles west of Grand Junction, you'll find world-class mountain biking opportunities at Mack Ridge, with six loops to test riders' skills. 12 miles west of Grand Junction, you'll find world-class mountain biking opportunities at Mack Ridge, with six loops to test riders' skills. The Kokopelli Trail weaves through the area and continues for more than 140 miles before ending in Moab, Utah. The Kokopelli Trail weaves through the area and continues for more than 140 miles before ending in Moab, Utah. Roads and trails within the NCA have travel restrictions to protect resources, wildlife habitat and safety of all users. Roads and trails within the NCA have travel restrictions to protect resources, wildlife habitat and safety of all users. Please remember that motorized and mechanized travel is not permitted within most of the Wilderness. Please remember that motorized and mechanized travel is not permitted within most of the Wilderness. While exploring the NCA, you may discover fossils, lithic scatters, rock art and plants important to Native Americans for medicinal and ceremonial values. you may discover fossils, lithic scatters, rock art and plants important to Native Americans for medicinal and ceremonial values. you may discover fossils, lithic scatters, rock art and plants important to Native Americans for medicinal and ceremonial values. Visitors may view dinosaur bones or watch a dig in progress at the Trail Through Time, Dinosaur Hill or the Fruita Paleontological Area. Visitors may view dinosaur bones or watch a dig in progress at the Trail Through Time, Dinosaur Hill or the Fruita Paleontological Area. Visitors may view dinosaur bones or watch a dig in progress at the Trail Through Time, Dinosaur Hill or the Fruita Paleontological Area. Visitors may view dinosaur bones or watch a dig in progress at the Trail Through Time, Dinosaur Hill or the Fruita Paleontological Area. Visitors may view dinosaur bones or watch a dig in progress at the Trail Through Time, Dinosaur Hill or the Fruita Paleontological Area. Native Americans and early settlers also roamed much of the area. Paleontologists and archaeologists study these sights to interpret our past, so please leave things undisturbed so that others can learn from them too. The NCA is a living landscape and outdoor laboratory. BLM has partnerships with local education and scientific institutions, and scientific study is ongoing. BLM has partnerships with local education and scientific institutions, and scientific study is ongoing. Restoration projects are continual in the NCA. What is learned about land restoration here may have value on all BLM lands. This area benefits from the dedication of many local volunteer and friends groups on these and other projects in the NCA. This area benefits from the dedication of many local volunteer and friends groups on these and other projects in the NCA. The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness are managed by the BLM's Grand Junction Field Office. For more information, please call: (970) 244-3000 For more information, please call: (970) 244-3000 or visit the website at: www.blm.gov/co or visit the website at: www.blm.gov/co or visit the website at: www.blm.gov/co or visit the website at: www.blm.gov/co or visit the website at: www.blm.gov/co and click on the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area link under the Special Areas section. and click on the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area link under the Special Areas section. Please play safely while enjoying your public lands.
Management
McInnis Canyons is located within the Bureau of Land Management's Grand Junction Field Office. A Resource Management Plan (RMP) was written and approved for the NCA in 2004. Four alternatives were proposed and open to public review. The BLM's preferred alternative, adaptive management, was approved and enacted under the RMP. The plan states:[2]
this alternative's emphasis is on maintaining the current level of experience and enjoyment of the area's recreational opportunities and unique characteristics while recognizing that increased future use would trigger the need for increased levels of management. Monitoring for land health and visitors' experiences would determine when adjustments to management would be required. Objectives for this alternative include preserving the character of the area and enhancing traditional recreation, while maintaining land health and improving priority areas of concern.
Notes
- ^ "Rattlesnake Arches - Pollock Bench". Archived from the original on 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision for the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness" (PDF). Grand Junction Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
External links
- "McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area". Bureau of Land Management.