Observing the significant alterations in the landscape since settlers arrived 120 years ago teaches us to utilize the land with care. Each group of people who have inhabited this area came with different goals and lived with and valued the land in various ways. In the process, these groups have impacted the valley’s vulnerable subalpine environment differently. With a greater awareness learned from them, we can sustain a balance with nature now and in the future.

Living with the Land
The Changing Landscape

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Historical Timeline:
—6000 BC "Timberline Man" is living in the White River National Forest







1550 AD Utes are known to be trading with the plains Indians




—1873 Chief Ouray cedes Elk Mnt. territory to the US Government

—1880
Miners stake out Ashcroft townsite

—1885
Most of the miners are gone from Ashcroft



—1936 Billy Fiske and Ted Ryan open Highland- Bavarian Lodge

—1974
Ashcroft becomes a National Register Historic site
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