1960 Map of Elk Creek

About this map

Hermosa Park sits at the northern edge of this high-elevation mountain landscape, serving as a focal point for the complex drainage system of the San Juan National Forest. The 1960 field survey reveals a network of watercourses branching from Hermosa Creek, including North Hole Creek and South Hole Creek, which highlight the intricate hydraulic character of the San Juan Mountains. The terrain is defined by its lack of permanent settlements, focused instead on seasonal movement and resource management as evidenced by a Gaging Station and the Highline Trail. The county line between Montezuma and La Plata counties cuts across the northwestern corner, marking a political boundary through the wild drainage basins of Lone Spruce Draw and Corral Draw. This map is particularly valuable for tracing the original alignments of backcountry routes like the Jeep Trail and Pack Trail before modern forest management altered these historic paths.