Lakes

The Lakes area encompasses 121,967 acres of subalpine terrain in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, rising from Mud Lake Flat at 8,800 feet to Bald Mountain at 11,943 feet. This landscape forms the headwaters of multiple major river systems: Smith and Morehouse Creek drains the northern reaches, while the North Fork Provo River, Middle Fork Weber River, and South Fork Weber River originate in the higher basins and converge downstream into the Weber and Provo rivers. Water moves through this terrain as a network of named tributaries—Shingle Creek and Beaver Creek among them—that collect snowmelt and groundwater from the high peaks and carry it downslope through narrow canyons and across open flats, shaping the distribution of plant communities and wildlife habitat across the entire roadless area.

The forest composition shifts with elevation and moisture availability. At lower elevations and in protected coves, Spruce-Fir Forest dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) creates dense, dark stands where Grouse Whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) carpets the understory. Lodgepole Pine Forest occupies drier slopes and higher elevations, with Geyer's sedge (Carex geyeri) forming the ground layer. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands occur in patches where disturbance or moisture conditions favor their establishment. Above the closed forest, Subalpine Meadows of grasses and sedges give way to Krummholz—stunted, wind-shaped conifers—near the highest ridges. On exposed, drier slopes, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Upper Montane Forest & Woodland transitions to Inter-Mountain Basins Subalpine Limber-Bristlecone Pine Woodland, where limber pine (Pinus flexilis) and Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) dominate sparse, open communities. Meadow floors support specialized plants including the federally threatened Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), mountain bluebells (Mertensia ciliata), Elephant's-Head lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica), and Osha (Ligusticum porteri), a vulnerable species (IUCN).

The aquatic systems support three federally endangered fish species—the bonytail (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)—along with the federally threatened humpback chub (Gila cypha) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which inhabit the cold headwater streams. The boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) breeds in shallow pools and wetlands. Terrestrial carnivores include the federally threatened Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), which hunt across the high country, and moose (Alces alces), which browse willows and aquatic vegetation in riparian zones. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) move seasonally through multiple forest types. Pollinators include the proposed endangered Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi) and the proposed threatened monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which migrate through meadows and aspen stands. The olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), a near-threatened species (IUCN), hunts insects from snags in open forest, while the vulnerable black swift (Cypseloides niger) and near-threatened rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) occupy specialized niches in the subalpine environment.

A person traveling through the Lakes area experiences distinct transitions in forest structure and openness. Following Smith and Morehouse Creek upstream from lower elevations, the landscape narrows into a dark Spruce-Fir corridor where the creek's sound dominates and light barely penetrates the canopy. As elevation increases and the forest opens into Lodgepole Pine Forest, the understory becomes visible and the terrain flattens briefly across Erickson Basin before climbing again. Crossing into Subalpine Meadows near Bald Mountain Pass or Hayden Pass, the forest suddenly opens to sky, and the view extends across ridgelines to Reids Peak and Mount Watson. The wind intensifies here, and the vegetation becomes visibly stunted—the Krummholz zone where trees grow horizontally rather than upright. On exposed ridges like The Notch, the sparse Limber-Bristlecone Pine Woodland offers minimal shelter but unobstructed views of the surrounding high country. Descending into a different drainage—perhaps following Shingle Creek or Beaver Creek—the forest composition shifts again, creating a sensory reminder that water, elevation, and aspect together determine what grows and lives in each part of this subalpine landscape.

This region served as a vital resource and transition zone for several Indigenous groups over centuries. The Ute people, specifically the Uintah and Timpanogots bands, historically occupied the mountains and valleys of eastern and north-central Utah. The Northwestern Shoshone inhabited the mountains and plains of northern Utah, with traditional territory extending into the Wasatch and Uinta ranges, often overlapping with Ute lands in the high elevations. The Goshute people, while primarily associated with desert regions to the west, historically used portions of these mountains for seasonal hunting and gathering. Before these groups, the Fremont people inhabited the valleys and benches along the Wasatch Front and utilized the higher elevations for resources from approximately 400 to 1300 A.D.

The Ute people identified the high mountains of this region as places of healing. Shamans historically brought the sick to these high-elevation areas for spiritual ceremonies and blessings. The area continues to be recognized as a site where Indigenous peoples gathered plants with specific spiritual and medicinal properties. The name "Wasatch" itself is derived from a Ute word meaning "a low place in high mountains."

Following the arrival of Mormon settlers in 1847, Indigenous groups were increasingly pushed off these traditional lands. The 1865 Treaty of Spanish Fork, though never ratified by Congress, attempted to relocate Ute bands from these mountain territories to the Uintah Reservation.

While the Lakes area itself remained undeveloped, the surrounding regions experienced significant industrial activity in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Alta and Little Cottonwood districts to the west became centers of massive silver, lead, and copper mining from the 1860s through the 1920s.

The Wasatch Forest Reserve was officially redesignated as the Wasatch National Forest on March 4, 1907. The Cache National Forest was established on July 1, 1908, primarily from lands of the disbanded Bear River National Forest. Between 1908 and 1915, the Wasatch National Forest expanded through several administrative actions: the Grantsville National Forest and Salt Lake National Forest were discontinued and added to the Wasatch via Executive Order 908 on July 1, 1908; the Vernon Division of 54,240 acres was transferred from the Nebo National Forest via Proclamation 1063 on July 1, 1910; and the northern portion of the Uinta Mountains was transferred from the Uinta National Forest via Proclamation 1297 on June 23, 1915. In 1973, the Wasatch National Forest and the Utah portion of the Cache National Forest were administratively merged to create the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Lakes area is currently protected under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

Vital Resources Protected

Headwater Protection for Three Major River Systems

The Lakes area contains the intact headwaters of the Upper Provo River, Upper Weber River, and Upper Bear River—three of the Wasatch Front's primary water sources. These high-elevation watersheds are classified as "aquatic strongholds" by the U.S. Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework, meaning they remain in properly functioning or only at-risk condition rather than degraded. The area's 400+ glacial lakes and subalpine meadows act as natural water storage and filtration systems, slowly releasing snowmelt throughout the year. Protecting the roadless condition preserves the hydrological integrity that supplies drinking water to downstream communities while maintaining the cold-water flows that endangered Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, and bonytail depend on in the lower Colorado River system.

Climate Refugia and Elevational Connectivity for Cold-Adapted Species

The Lakes area spans elevations from 8,800 feet to nearly 12,000 feet across spruce-fir forests, subalpine meadows, and krummholz—a vertical gradient that will become increasingly critical as climate change shifts suitable habitat upslope. Canada lynx and North American wolverine, both federally threatened, require large, unfragmented high-elevation landscapes to move between isolated mountain ranges as snowpack patterns and prey availability change. The roadless designation maintains the continuous forest and alpine connectivity these species need to track shifting climate conditions. Once fragmented by roads, this elevational corridor cannot be reassembled; the species' ability to adapt to warming temperatures depends on unbroken access to higher, cooler terrain.

Interior Forest Habitat for Canopy-Dependent Species

The spruce-fir and lodgepole pine forests within the roadless area provide the large, undisturbed forest interior required by northern goshawk and olive-sided flycatcher—species that cannot tolerate the edge effects and canopy gaps created by road networks. Black swift, which is vulnerable globally and nests only on cliff faces near cold-water streams in intact forest, depends on the cool, humid microclimate maintained by continuous canopy cover and uninterrupted riparian buffers. Road construction fragments these forests into smaller patches, exposing interior habitat to increased light, temperature fluctuation, and predation pressure that these species cannot withstand.

Subalpine Meadow and Wetland Ecosystem Integrity

The subalpine meadows and wetland-upland transition zones at Mud Lake Flat, Erickson Basin, and other high-elevation flats support threatened Ute ladies'-tresses orchid and vulnerable white bog orchid, species dependent on precise hydrological conditions maintained by undisturbed soil and vegetation structure. These meadows also provide critical forage habitat for mule deer, elk, and moose—species for which 79% of Utah's roadless areas, including Lakes, are designated as crucial habitat by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The shallow water tables and organic soils in these systems are easily disrupted by fill, drainage, and compaction; once altered, the hydrological regime that sustains these plant communities and wildlife populations cannot be restored to its original function.

Threats from Road Construction

Sedimentation and Stream Temperature Increase from Canopy Removal and Cut Slopes

Road construction in this high-elevation terrain requires cutting through steep slopes and removing forest canopy for the roadbed and sight lines. Exposed soil on cut slopes erodes rapidly during snowmelt and summer storms, delivering fine sediment into the drainage network that feeds the Provo, Weber, and Bear Rivers. This sedimentation smothers the clean gravel spawning substrate that Colorado River cutthroat trout, a primary stronghold species in this area, require for reproduction. Simultaneously, removal of streamside forest canopy allows direct sunlight to warm the water, raising temperatures in creeks that currently remain cold enough for these cold-water specialists. The combination of sedimentation and warming makes these streams unsuitable for the federally endangered bonytail, humpback chub, and Colorado pikeminnow that depend on cold, clear water in the lower Colorado River system.

Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects on Interior Forest Species

Road networks divide continuous forest into smaller, isolated patches separated by disturbed corridors. This fragmentation creates "edge"—the boundary between forest and open road—where increased light, wind, and temperature fluctuation penetrate the canopy. Northern goshawk and olive-sided flycatcher, which require large blocks of undisturbed interior forest, cannot maintain viable populations in fragmented landscapes; their breeding success declines sharply as edge habitat increases. Black swift, which nests on cliff faces adjacent to cold-water streams within intact forest, loses the cool, humid microclimate that roads destroy through canopy removal and increased air circulation. Once a roadless forest is fragmented, the interior habitat is permanently lost—the species cannot recolonize until the road is removed and the forest regenerates, a process requiring decades to centuries.

Hydrological Disruption of Subalpine Meadows and Wetlands

Road construction through subalpine meadows and wetland-upland transition zones requires fill material and drainage to prevent waterlogging of the roadbed. This fill and associated ditching alter the shallow water table that sustains these ecosystems, lowering water levels and changing soil moisture patterns. Threatened Ute ladies'-tresses orchid and vulnerable white bog orchid, which depend on specific hydrological conditions in these transition zones, cannot survive in drier conditions. The disruption also affects the meadow vegetation structure that provides forage for mule deer, elk, and moose during critical summer and fall periods. Unlike forests, which can eventually regenerate after road removal, wetland and meadow hydrology is extremely difficult to restore; altered water flow patterns persist for decades after road closure, preventing the return of native plant communities and the wildlife that depends on them.

Invasive Species Establishment and Spread Along Road Corridors

Road construction creates disturbed soil and vegetation along the entire corridor, providing ideal conditions for invasive species to establish and spread into previously intact habitat. The Utah Wildlife Action Plan identifies invasive species spread, often exacerbated by road-stream crossings and disturbed corridors, as a top threat to aquatic integrity in this area. Invasive plants outcompete native vegetation in riparian buffers, reducing the shade and organic matter input that cold-water streams require. Invasive aquatic species can be transported via vehicles and equipment, introducing pathogens and competitors that threaten the federally endangered bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker in downstream reaches. Once established, invasive species are nearly impossible to eradicate from a landscape; the roadless condition prevents this vector of invasion entirely.

The Lakes Roadless Area spans 121,967 acres of subalpine terrain in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with elevations ranging from 8,800 feet at Mud Lake Flat to 11,943 feet at Bald Mountain. Over 2,000 lakes dot the landscape, fed by the headwaters of the Weber River, Provo River, and their tributaries. The area's roadless condition—the absence of motorized access into the interior—defines the character of recreation here: backcountry hiking and horseback travel on native-material trails, undisturbed alpine lakes for fishing, and wildlife habitat that remains unfragmented by development.

Hiking, Horseback Riding, and Mountain Biking

The area supports a network of maintained trails suitable for day hikes and backpacking trips. The Bald Mountain Trail (3202) is a 1.3-mile easy-to-moderate route to the 11,943-foot summit, offering panoramic views of the High Uintas and Mirror Lake. The Lofty Lake Loop (3217) is a 3.7-mile moderate loop at elevations above 10,000 feet, passing multiple alpine lakes and an overlook of Hayden Peak and the Lakes Country to the west. The Fehr Lake Trail (3212) offers flexible distances from 1 to 4 miles, descending to Fehr, Sheppard, and Hoover Lakes. The Clyde Lake Loop (3205) is a 5.3-mile moderate loop with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, passing numerous alpine lakes. The Ruth Lake Trail (4092) is a short, easy 1.6-mile family-friendly hike at approximately 10,200 feet. The Ibantik Lake via Notch Mountain Trail (3228) is an 8- to 8.5-mile moderate-to-difficult route through high-elevation terrain, often done as an out-and-back from the Crystal Lake Trailhead.

Horseback riders use the Highline Trail (3105) as a major equestrian route; overnight trips require a permit, and stock must be kept at least 200 feet from streams, lakes, and trails. High lining is the recommended method for overnight stays. Additional horse trails include the Smith-Morehouse Trail (3236) (6.1 miles), North Fork Provo River Trail (3226) (9.2 miles), Middle Fork Weber River Trail (3222) (7.6 miles), Notch Mountain Trail (3228) (10.2 miles), and Shingle Creek Trail (3235) (6.0 miles). The Lakes Country Trail (3216) is a 4.3-mile easy mountain biking route through scenic forest. The Slate Creek Mountain Bike Trail (3420) is a 5-mile route. Access points include the Crystal Lake Trailhead (highly trafficked), Mirror Lake Trailhead, Bald Mountain Trailhead, and Highline Trailhead. Most trails use native material surfaces. High-elevation trails are subject to afternoon thunderstorms and rapid temperature drops; the primary hiking season runs from late June through September when trails are clear of snow.

Hunting

The Lakes Roadless Area is located within the North Slope and South Slope hunting units (Chalk Creek/Kamas and Summit subunits) and is adjacent to the High Uintas Wilderness. The area supports mule deer, elk, moose, black bear, mountain lion, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. Upland birds include willow ptarmigan (in high-altitude willow and tundra habitats), blue grouse (dusky grouse), and ruffed grouse. Snowshoe hare and forest predators are also present.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources seasons typically include archery (mid-August to mid-September), muzzleloader (late September to early October), and any legal weapon/rifle (mid-to-late October). As a roadless area, motorized vehicle use for hunting is prohibited off designated routes; hunters must rely on foot or pack animals. Firearms cannot be discharged within 150 yards of developed sites or across forest roads and bodies of water. The area is known for backcountry hunting at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, requiring high physical fitness. Some subunits are managed as Limited Entry for elk or moose, requiring drawn permits. Black bear habitat requires compliance with "Be Bear Aware" food storage regulations. Major access points include the Highline Trailhead, Bald Mountain Trailhead, Notch Mountain/Crystal Lake Trailhead, and Hayden Pass. Erickson Basin and Mud Lake Flat are accessible via forest service roads, though motorized travel ends at the roadless boundary.

Fishing

The area contains numerous glacial lakes and headwater streams supporting cold-water trout species. Round, Sand, and Fish Lakes in the upper Weber River drainage hold Arctic grayling and brook trout. Smith and Morehouse Creek supports rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. The Upper Weber River headwaters contain Bonneville cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling. The North Fork Provo River supports brook trout and cutthroat trout. The South Fork Weber River holds mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Smaller tributaries including Shingle Creek, Beaver Creek, and Red Pine Creek support rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and brook trout.

Many remote, high-elevation lakes are stocked aerially by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources with fingerling trout (1–3 inches). The DWR typically stocks cutthroat trout (native) and sterile hybrids like tiger trout. High-elevation streams often support wild, self-sustaining populations of brook trout and native cutthroat trout. The standard trout limit for most waters is 4 fish (combined total of species). Some tributaries are restricted to artificial flies and lures only to protect native cutthroat trout. Public recreational access on the Weber River is limited to the riverbed within the ordinary high-water mark. The primary fishing season runs from late June through September when trails are clear of snow. Access points include the Dry Fork Trailhead (near Holiday Park, east of Oakley), Smith and Morehouse Trailhead, and entry via the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway and forest campgrounds. The area is highly regarded for backcountry fishing and is a key location for the Utah Cutthroat Slam, specifically for catching Bonneville cutthroat trout in its native range.

Birding

The area is one of the best locations in Utah for observing high-alpine forest birds. Black rosy-finches forage in snowfields along Bald Mountain Pass and the trail toward Bald Mountain peak. American pipits are documented along high-elevation trails near Bald Mountain. Pine grosbeaks are fairly easy to find around Mirror Lake and in high-conifer forests. Three-toed woodpeckers are documented in spruce-fir forests near Mirror Lake. Gray jays (Canada jays) are frequently sighted in subalpine forests and campgrounds. Clark's nutcrackers are common throughout high-elevation conifer zones. Red crossbills and pine siskins forage in conifer tops for seeds. Other sighted species include dusky grouse, red-naped sapsucker, tree swallow, dark-eyed junco, and American robin.

During breeding season (late spring and summer), yellow warblers breed in high-elevation aspen and willow groves. Tree swallows and other cavity nesters nest in the area during summer. During migration, Wilson's warbler and yellow-rumped warbler (Audubon's subspecies) are active and vocal during spring. The Bald Mountain Trail is a documented location for sighting black rosy-finches and American pipits. Mirror Lake shoreline and campground are primary observation areas for gray jays, pine grosbeaks, and three-toed woodpeckers. Bald Mountain Pass (10,715 ft) is a prime spot for high-altitude species. Washington Lake is documented for dark-eyed juncos and montane sparrows. Trial Lake and Butterfly Lake are eBird hotspots providing access to subalpine lake-edge birding. Provo River Falls is an observation point for riparian and forest-edge species. The Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) typically closes in winter and opens in mid-May, limiting winter birding to accessible edges.

Paddling

Beaver Creek is documented for kayaking and canoeing, with a 30- to 40-day window of runnability during early spring runoff, classified as Class 3 and 4 whitewater. The North Fork Provo River is documented for kayaking and canoeing during spring runoff, also classified as Class 3 and 4. The Weber River headwaters and upper reaches are noted for non-motorized water activities including tubing, kayaking, and rafting. Smith and Morehouse Creek is documented as a location for non-motorized water activities, though most paddling in this drainage occurs on Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. Paddling on rivers is limited to a 30- to 40-day period during early spring runoff. Lake and reservoir access is typically available from June through September, depending on snowpack and road closures on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Smith and Morehouse Reservoir has a boat ramp on the northwest shore near Ledgefork and Smith and Morehouse campgrounds. Mirror Lake is a primary hub for launching kayaks and paddleboards. Trial Lake is documented for non-motorized boating with accessible shorelines for launching. Access is generally associated with the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway and forest campgrounds including Shingle Creek ATV Campground and Ledgefork.

Photography and Scenic Recreation

Bald Mountain Summit (11,943 ft) is accessible via a 2.8- to 3-mile round-trip trail, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the High Uintas, Mirror Lake, Reids Peak, and the Weber River drainage. Bald Mountain Pass (10,715 ft), the highest paved point on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, offers immediate views of surrounding subalpine terrain. The Notch (10,620 ft) is a prominent geological gap providing a framed vista of surrounding basins. Mirror Lake Overlook offers classic views of the lake's reflective waters against high peaks. The Lofty Lake Loop reaches high ridgelines with expansive views of multiple alpine lakes. Provo River Falls is a series of stepped, cascading waterfalls popular for photography. The area contains numerous alpine lakes including Mirror Lake (known for reflections), Notch Lake, Wall Lake, Trial Lake, and Washington Lake. Peak wildflower blooming occurs in July and August, with documented species including bluebells, Wasatch penstemon, paintbrush, columbine, lupine, Jacob's ladder, and elephant's-head lousewort. From late September to mid-October, quaking aspen groves turn golden and red maples provide vibrant contrast. Documented wildlife photography subjects include mountain goats (often seen near Bald Mountain), moose, mule deer, and elk. Golden eagles, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks are frequently observed soaring above ridgelines. Brook trout are present in many high-altitude lakes and streams. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is a recognized dark sky location; the high elevation and distance from Wasatch Front light pollution make it exceptional for astrophotography. On clear nights, the Milky Way, nebulae, and galaxies are visible to the naked eye.

Campgrounds and Access

Developed campgrounds in and near the roadless area include Lilly Lake, Trial Lake, Shady Dell, Moosehorn, Soapstone, Washington Lake, Sulphur, Washington Lake Group, Ledgefork, Mirror Lake, Lost Creek, Pine Valley, Shingle Creek ATV, Smith-Morehouse, Lower Provo River, Yellow Pine, Ponderosa Group Campground, and Butterfly Lake. Major trailheads include Fehr Lake, Mirror Lake, Ledgefork, Taylor Fork ATV, Highline, Gardners Fork, Spring Canyon OHV, Crystal Lake, Soapstone Winter, Shingle Creek, Beaver Creek Ski Trail, Crystal Lake Horseman, Bald Mountain, Ruth Lake, North Fork, Pass Lake, Yellow Pine, and Oakley. Food storage requirements are in effect due to black bear activity. Dogs are permitted on most trails but must be leashed in specific areas like Ruth Lake. The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (SR-150) provides the primary corridor for access and typically opens in mid-May.

Winter Recreation

Winter recreation includes groomed snowmobile routes and marked snowshoe and ski trails. Mirror Lake Snomo Groomed (SNO-3095A) is a 20.7-mile groomed snowmobile route. Soapstone Snomo Groomed (SNO-3095B) is a 7.8-mile groomed route. Marked snowmobile routes include Upper Setting Snomo Marked (SNO-3096A) (6.8 miles), Norway Flat Snomo Marked (SNO-3096B) (7.1 miles), and Spring Canyon Snomo Marked (SNO-3096C) (3.2 miles). Snowshoe trails include Shingle Creek Snowshoe (SNO-3235) (6.0 miles), Yellow Pine Snowshoe (SNO-3240) (4.6 miles), Mine Trail Snowshoe (SNO-3401) (1.1 miles), and Soapstone Ponds Snowshoe (SNO-3244) (3.9 miles). Ski trails include Plantation Ski (SNO-3417) (1.5 miles), North Fork Loop Ski (SNO-3409) (3.7 miles), Beaver Creek Ski (SNO-3233) (5.9 miles), Lower Provo Ski (SNO-3424) (0.9 miles), Taylor View Ski (SNO-3416) (0.8 miles), and Pine Valley Group Ski (SNO-3424A) (0.2 miles). The Mirror Lake Highway typically closes in winter and opens in mid-May.

Roadless Recreation Values

The recreation opportunities described here depend directly on the roadless condition of this area. The absence of roads into the interior preserves the backcountry character that defines hiking, horseback travel, and backpacking. Undisturbed watersheds support cold-water fisheries and the aerial stocking programs that depend on remote, inaccessible lakes. Unfragmented habitat allows mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, and elk to move freely across high ridges and basins without the fragmentation that roads create. Quiet trails away from motorized use—except on designated routes—provide the solitude that hunters, birders, and photographers seek. The roadless condition protects the dark sky conditions that make astrophotography possible at high elevation. Road construction would degrade or eliminate these values by introducing motorized access, fragmenting wildlife habitat, degrading water quality in headwater streams, and replacing the quiet backcountry experience with the noise and visual impact of vehicle traffic.