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1959 Map of Bristol Head

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Bristol Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Continental Divide serpentines across this high-altitude landscape of the San Juan Mountains, marking a rugged frontier where the Gunnison National Forest meets the Rio Grande National Forest. This 1959 field-checked survey reveals the remnants of nineteenth-century transit, most notably the Powderhorn Old Stage Sta (Ruins) and the San Juan Ranch (Old Stage Sta), documenting the legacy of stagecoach travel before modern roads dominated the passes.

Hydrological features are central to the terrain, including the dramatic North Clear Creek Falls and South Clear Creek Falls, which drain the massive high plateau of Snow Mesa. High-country water management is evident at the Continental Reservoir and Rito Hondo Reservoir, while local landmarks like Bristol Head and the Bristol View Ranger Station provide orientation points for travelers navigating the extensive network of the Jeep Trail and Pack Trail systems that crisscross the alpine ridges.