2013 Map of Elk Creek

About this map

San Juan National Forest defines this high-elevation landscape in La Plata County, where the drainage basin for the S Fork Hermosa Cr and its numerous tributaries creates a complex system of ridges and canyons. The terrain is marked by distinctive depressions and clearings such as North Hole, South Hole, and Hermosa Park, which offer breaks in the dense forest cover. A well-established network of trails, including the Highline Trail / Colorado Trail 520 and Hermosa Creek Trail 514, serves as the primary infrastructure through these mountain reaches. This 2013 survey illustrates how water and topography dictate movement through the region, with trails often following the paths of least resistance through areas like Lone Spruce Draw or alongside Big Bend Cr and Salt Cr.