2016 Map of Capitol Peak

About this map

White River National Forest defines the character of this high-elevation terrain in the Elk Mountains, dominated by the towering spire of Capitol Peak. The landscape is a network of alpine drainage basins and steep ridges, where water from the Pierre Lakes and Capitol Lake feeds into the winding Capitol Cr. This 2016 survey illustrates the intricate trail systems used to navigate the wilderness, including the Capitol Creek Trail and the Maroon Snowmass Trail, which connect distant points like Avalanche Lake and the northern slopes near Mt Daly. The transition from the lower Little Elk Cr valley to the heights of Clark Peak reveals the logistical challenges of the area's high-country topography. Evidence of water management is visible at the edge of the forest boundary, where the Elk Cr Ditch and Elk Creek Reservoir Number 2 represent the intersection of mountain snowmelt and downstream utility.