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1958 Map of East Portal

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of East Portal
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The Continental Divide dominates this high-altitude survey of the Front Range, where the legendary Rollins Pass route marks the rugged boundary between Grand Co and Boulder Co. This area represents a critical intersection of early Colorado transportation history, featuring the eastern entrance to the Moffat Tunnel at East Portal. While the modern Denver and Rio Grande Western line pierces through the mountains below, the map preserves the winding path of the Old Railroad Grade as it ascends toward the former settlement at Corona.

High-altitude hydrology is evident in the numerous basins, including Skyscraper Reservoir and the cluster of Forest Lakes. The landscape is a complex of tunnels and passes, from the Needle Eye Tunnel to the sharp turn at Riflesight Notch. These features, alongside named peaks like Mt Epworth and Chittenden Mtn, document a transition from the dangerous over-the-top rail routes of the early 20th century to the subterranean efficiency that transformed Rocky Mountain travel.