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1984 Map of Blackhead Peak

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Blackhead Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

South San Juan Wilderness defines this high-elevation landscape within the San Juan National Forest as it appeared in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The terrain is dominated by prominent summits including Blackhead Peak, Nipple Mountain, and the jagged formation known as The Needles. The map illustrates a network of pack trails and jeep trails that provide the only access through these steep drainages, where several waterways like Rito Blanco, Coal Creek, and Mariposa Creek descend from the heights of Quartz Ridge.

Blanco Basin serves as a localized low point amidst the surrounding peaks, such as Squaretop Mountain and Sand Mountain. Evidence of early backcountry infrastructure is visible in the form of a Footbridge over the Little Blanco River. This survey captures a moment when the area remained primarily dedicated to wilderness preservation and resource management, with most landmarks tied to the natural hydrology and topographical extremes of the Colorado high country.