1960 Map of Capitol Peak

About this map

White River National Forest defines this high-altitude landscape in the heart of the Elk Mountains, dominated by the massive summits of Capitol Peak and Mount Daly. The map documents a rugged wilderness largely accessible only by an extensive network of pack trails and footpaths, reflecting the area's character in the mid-20th century before intensive modernization. Water resources are central to the terrain, with high alpine basins holding Capitol Lake, Hardscrabble Lake, and the Pierre Lakes. Evidence of human management and seasonal habitation appears at the Capitol Creek Guard Station and the Snowmass Falls Ranch, while a single Ditch label near Elk Creek hints at early water diversion efforts for lower-elevation agricultural use. The drainage patterns of Snowmass Creek and Capitol Creek dictate the movement through these peaks, leading toward the southern boundary at Heckert Pass.