2016 Map of Aldrich Gulch

About this map

Westcliffe and Silver Cliff sit at the northern edge of this high-elevation landscape, where the wide floor of the Wet Mountain Valley meets the rising terrain of the Rosita Hills. The area is defined by a complex network of seasonal drainages and creeks, including Grape Cr and Antelope Cr, which move water through the valley toward the south and west. Significant local history is preserved in the location of the Silver Cliff Cem and Hope Cem, while the southwest corner of the map transitions into the protected lands of the San Isabel National Forest. Aviation history is represented by the Geary Ranch Airport and Silver West Airport, serving this remote cattle and mining region. The landscape is marked by deep geographic cuts like Aldrich Gulch and Leavenworth Gulch, reflecting the rugged drainage patterns that shaped the settlement of Custer County.