Loading map...

2019 Map of Carpenter Ridge

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Carpenter Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

Blue Mesa Reservoir dominates the northern landscape, a focal point within the Curecanti National Recreation Area that preserves the rugged drainage patterns of the Gunnison River basin. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, where high plateaus like Sapinero Mesa and Dillon Mesa overlook a complex network of canyons and gulches. Named features such as Tenderfoot Hill and Carpenter Ridge provide essential landmarks for navigating the high-altitude topography of Gunnison County.

Water management and recreation dictate the land use, with access points like the Gateview Trail leading toward Cebolla Creek. The intricate contouring reveals a landscape of deep incisions, including Wildcat Gulch and Kezar Basin, showing how seasonal runoff from sources like Tennile Springs has shaped the earth over millennia. The map details a transition from open water to high-desert ridges, illustrating the relationship between the reservoir and its surrounding upland drainages.