2022 Map of Columbine Pass

About this map

San Juan National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape in the Needle Mountains, where the continental divide's influence is evident in the complex drainage patterns of the Florida River and Johnson Creek. The area is characterized by immense peaks including Windom Peak and Jupiter Mtn, which tower over alpine catchments like the Vallecito Basin and Chicago Basin. Modern water management is represented by the Durango Reservoir Number 1, while the historical movement through this difficult terrain is traced by the Columbine Pass and Trimble Pass. Notable water bodies such as Hazel Lake, Columbine Lake, and Castilleja Lake are scattered across the high benches of Silver Mesa and Endlich Mesa, highlighting the glacial legacy of the La Plata County backcountry.