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2011 Map of Big Soap Park

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Big Soap Park
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Big Soap Park and the nearby Waterman Ranch serve as the primary human identifiers in this high-altitude landscape within Gunnison County. The terrain is defined by a series of prominent peaks and ridgelines, including Kaufman Ridge and Haystack Mountain, which separate various drainage basins. The map captures a complex network of seasonal and perennial waterways that feed into the larger watershed, such as Soap Creek, Kaufman Creek, and the multiple forks of Curecanti Creek.

Transit through this mountain environment is marked by Curecanti Pass, a notable low point between Sheep Mountain and the headwaters of East Creek. The nomenclature of the land—ranging from the descriptive Coal Basin and Elk Basin to the more colorful Jackass Gulch—reflects the history of resource exploration and ranching in the Colorado high country. Geologic features like Porcupine Cone and Bonfisk Peak stand as distinct landmarks for navigators and surveyors alike.