Replanting our Nation’s Forests
You are here: Home → Replanting Our National Forests → Our National Forests are National Treasures → Current Efforts
« Back to list

Pike National Forest

Forest Overview

1,110,482 acres. Located in south central Colorado

The magnificent Pike National Forest's terrains range from 14,000-foot peaks to the South Platte River. Trails punctuate its wilderness, leading to year-round recreation on ski resorts and trout fishing in crisp streams. In near-perfect daily summer temperatures, the Pike hosts alpine forests, mountain meadows and, among its many trees, the oldest living tree known to man: a bristlecone pine more than 4,000 years old.

The Need for Trees

In 2002, some of the most intense fires of the previous five decades made history. Years of unusual weather conditions led to the Hayman fire, an inferno that destroyed nearly 138,000 acres.

What We Are Doing

Repairing the damage will take time and commitment. Adding 135,000 ponderosa pine and Douglasfir trees will stem the loss of sediment into dirt traps. New trees will help the watershed effectively filter moisture and provide homes for the area's five threatened species.