2019 Map of Archuleta Creek

About this map

The Rio Grande National Forest landscape is defined by the high-elevation headwaters of the Chama River system near the border of Archuleta and Conejos counties. The terrain is marked by the convergence of the W Fork Rio Chama and E Fork Rio Chama, which drain the steep alpine slopes of the Archuleta massif. This region serves as a critical hydrologic and recreational corridor, centered around the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as it traverses the eastern ridgeline. A concentration of high-country water bodies, including Chama Lake, Crater Lake, and Mystery Lake, illustrates the glaciated character of the San Juan Mountains. Historical access into this wilderness is traced via the Hughes Trail and the Red Lake Cutoff, reflecting the long-established path-finding required to navigate this portion of the Continental Divide.