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2016 Map of Courthouse Mountain

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Courthouse Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The Uncompahgre National Forest dominates this landscape, where the high ridges of the San Juan Mountains meet at the junction of Ouray, Gunnison, and Hinsdale counties. Central to the area is the high passage of Owl Creek Pass, a critical transition point between the Cimarron River drainage and the western slopes. Distinctive geological formations like Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain provide significant landmarks for navigation and local lore.

Evidence of historical water management appears in the Cimarron Feeder Garnet Ditch, reflecting the era's reliance on diverting high-country snowmelt for lower-elevation use. An extensive network of trails, including the Old Owl Creek Trail and the Lou Creek Trail, crisscrosses the high-elevation plateaus like High Mesa and Spruce Ridge. The presence of the Silver Jack Dam and Hanging Lake further illustrates the complex hydrology of this mountainous terrain.