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1960 Map of Elk Creek

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Elk Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

San Juan National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape in the San Juan Mountains, where the boundary between Montezuma County and La Plata County follows a prominent ridgeline. The area is defined by the complex drainage network of Hermosa Creek, which is fed by numerous tributaries including West Cross Creek, East Cross Creek, and Big Bend Creek. The terrain is marked by a series of distinct natural features such as Corral Draw, Spruce Draw, and the curiously named Big Lick.

Transport through this wilderness during the early 1960s relied heavily on established paths rather than modern roads, evidenced by the presence of the Highline Trail and several stretches of Pack Trail. These routes, along with localized Jeep Trails, illustrate how the region was navigated for forestry and recreation before more permanent infrastructure reached these drainages. Notable landmarks like North Hole and South Hole further characterize the remote geography along Elk Creek.