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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

Hermosa Creek flows southward through the heart of this high-elevation mountain terrain, forming a central drainage network within the San Juan National Forest. Surveyed in the late 1950s and updated in the 1970s, the map reveals a wilderness landscape shaped by water and primitive transport routes. The convergence of numerous named tributaries, including Big Bend Creek, Salt Creek, and the dual forks of North Hope Creek and South Hope Creek, illustrates the complex hydrology of the La Plata region.

Human activity is recorded primarily through a network of trails and rudimentary roads. The Highline Trail traverses the western ridges near the boundary of Montezuma and La Plata counties, while a Jeep Trail and various Pack Trails provide access to interior points like Hermosa Park. This map is particularly useful for identifying the specific canyons and draws, such as Blind Canyon and Lone Spruce Draw, that served as landmarks for early backcountry navigation.