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1966 Map of Elwood Pass

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Elwood Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Continental Divide zigzags through this high mountain terrain, marking the watershed between the San Juan National Forest and the Rio Grande National Forest. Historically, this area served as a vital passage through the San Juan Mountains, centered on the high-elevation Elwood Pass. The landscape is defined by rugged alpine peaks like Prospect Mtn and the broad plateau of Handkerchief Mesa.

Resource extraction and forest management are evident throughout the district. The Black Diamond Mine sits near the headwaters of the East Fork San Juan River, while the Elwood Guard Sta and McCormick Cabin indicate early 20th-century government presence and high-country habitation. A network of primitive routes, including the Molino Campo Trail and a designated Stock Driveway, illustrates the area's use for livestock transit and seasonal access before modern highway developments.