1984 Map of Elephant Head Rock

About this map

Elephant Head Rock stands as a prominent landmark in this high-altitude landscape within the San Juan Mountains, where the Tierra Amarilla Grant meets the boundaries of the San Juan National Forest and the South San Juan Wilderness. The area is defined by its complex drainage network, notably the Navajo River and its various forks and falls, including Bridal Veil Falls and the curiously named Vampire Falls in Vampire Valley. Human presence is sparse and concentrated near water and mountain access, evidenced by Bond House, Meadow, and the Fall Creek Reservoir. A network of 4wd tracks and a pack trail trace the rugged topography, connecting sites like Upper Camp and Lucky Pierre Park. The map documents a wilderness transition, capturing the intersection of private land grants and federal forest lands during the mid-1980s.