The area has few developable resources. The Caribou National Forest recommended 16,000 acres of the area from wilderness designation by Congress when their forest plan was adopted in 1986. Wilderness protection is opposed by the machine crowd and they have made heavy inroads, turning most of the trails into ATV highways. The Sierra Club appealed the decision to keep the area open to dirt bikes and their more destructive cousins, the increasingly overpowered 4-wheeled all terrain vehicles. The Caribou National Forest at first agreed to close the area to conserve its wilderness character, but quickly backed down under political pressures.
Wildlife includes bear, cougar, elk, deer, and moose.
The crest of Cache Crest. Photo from the Highline Trail. The Caribou NF is revising their forest plan.