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2019 Map of Elk Creek

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Elk Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

San Juan National Forest defines the character of this high-altitude landscape where the Continental Divide skirts the eastern boundary. The map captures a complex drainage system centered on Hermosa Creek and its many tributaries, including S Fork Hermosa Cr, Deer Cr, and Salt Creek. These waterways carve through distinct terrain features like Blind Canyon, Entrance Draw, and the depressions of North Hole and South Hole.

Evidence of human movement through this wilderness is sparse but significant, primarily represented by the Highline Co Trail winding along the western border. The area is marked by numerous family or local-named landmarks such as Lone Spruce Draw and Corral Draw, indicating a history of seasonal use and exploration. From the meadows of Hermosa Park to the peaks along the divide, the map provides an essential reference for understanding the geography of the Montezuma and La Plata county line before modern development altered these remote drainages.