Thick smoke from California and Oregon wildfires pollute the crisp, 36 degree, morning air and steal my view of the beautiful snow capped peaks above the Illinois River near Walden, Colorado. Forestry mismanagement is taking a toll on tourism in the Rockies!

Walden, Colorado is Moose paradise and the reason this New Mexican travels to Colorado.

Often spotted browsing among the willows of the Illinois River, visitors can honestly see moose anywhere in Jackson County, including downtown Walden!

Historically a favorite Ute hunting ground, the area, just 20 miles from the Wyoming border, has also begun to draw outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in pursuing their interests — hunting, hiking, camping, fishing in Gold Medal waters, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, snowmobiling — in more remote Mt. Zirkel Wilderness and Routt National Forest.

Isolated North Park, a high mountain valley encompassing Jackson County, requires resilience from those who choose to live here. It is a place where rugged ways of life have endured the test of time. No matter the season, you’re likely to still meet cattlemen, cowgirls, forest rangers, and loggers.Timber harvesting in the region began in 1905 with the creation of the National Forests and the first timber sale on the Routt National Forest in 1906. Growing northwest Colorado towns created a demand for saw timber and railroad ties. The Laramie, Hahns Peak & Pacific Railway reached North Park in 1911 and hauled coal from nearby Coalmont.

Like early explorers who ventured into the valley and across the Continental Divide to camp and hunt along its creeks and deep forests, today locals, guides, outfitters and photographers still hunt, fish, hike, and camp.

Encircled by mountain ranges, North Park is a secluded and pristine region. Much like the early explorers, visitors today find room to roam. Moose, antelope, deer, elk, big horn sheep, and black bear abound, beaver and fish thrive in our waters, and great flocks of migrating waterfowl pass through every autumn and spring.

Walden's Main Street welcome center can point you to all the outdoor activities surrounding you year-round, including ghost-town exploration, wildlife refuges, rodeos and the OHV trails in North Sand Hills’ sand dunes. The area is home to several ghost mining towns including Tellar City, Pearl and Coalmont, and is also known as the Moose Capital of Colorado.