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1980 Map of Coaldale

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Coaldale
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

The Arkansas River corridor near the settlement of Coaldale defines this high-elevation landscape, where the D & Rgw railroad tracks skirt the riverbank as it passes through the mountain gap. The map captures a transition from the riparian valley floor to the high peaks of the San Isabel National Forest, including notable summits like Nipple Mountain and Galena Peak. Human activity is concentrated around the river, visible in the Strip Mine and the local Cem, while the interior is marked by a network of steep routes including the Rainbow Trail and the Stout Creek Trail.

The topography reveals the intricate drainage patterns of the Sangre de Cristo range, where the North Prong Hayden Creek and South Prong Hayden Creek converge. Historically, the area was a intersection of early transport and industry, evidenced by numerous Prospects and the Hayden Pass Jeep Trail crossing into Saguache County. Recreational development is also present via the Hayden Creek Campground and Coaldale Campground, serving those exploring the Bushnell Lakes or the high ridges of Hayden Mountain.